HB 2551-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares that, prior to furnishing utility services, a city or town may require a deposit to guarantee payment for services.  However, failure to require a deposit does not affect the validity of any lien authorized by RCW 35.21.290 or 35.67.200.

     Authorizes a city or town to determine how to apply partial payments on past due accounts.  In addition, a city or town may provide a landlord with duplicates of tenant utility service bills, or may notify a landlord that a tenant's utility account is delinquent.

     Provides that, when a district provides a real property owner or the owner's designee with duplicates of tenant utility service bills or notice that a tenant's utility account is delinquent, the district shall notify the tenant that it is providing the duplicate bills or delinquency notice to the owner or the owner's designee.

     Provides that, after January 1, 1999, if a district fails to notify the owner of a tenant's delinquency after receiving a written request to do so and after receiving the other information required by this act, the district shall have no lien against the premises for the tenant's delinquent and unpaid charges.