S-5081.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6726
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Spanel and Thibaudeau)
Read first time 02/02/96.
AN ACT Relating to the utilities and transportation commission; adding a new section to chapter 80.04 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that large-scale downsizings, mergers, or work force reductions by public utility suppliers, such as electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water companies can have a substantial impact in the quality of utility service and add to family stress. The legislature further finds that it is in the public interest for the utilities and transportation commission to review and comment on these potential impacts prior to major large-scale mergers or work force reductions.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 80.04 RCW to read as follows:
A public service company is required to notify the commission sixty days prior to a work force reduction of one hundred or more employees. Within thirty days of the notification, the commission shall review the potential impact of the work force reduction on the quality of utility service provided to communities, businesses, individuals, and state and local governments served by the public service company, and submit its findings to the public service company and interested parties.
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