BILL REQ. #:  H-1060.2 

READ FIRST TIME 01/31/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to paying utility bills electronically; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.67 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.94 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 57.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.36 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a city or town that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the utility. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a city or town that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35.67 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a city or town that provides sewer services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the utility. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a city or town that provides sewer services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 35.92 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a city or town that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the utility. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a city or town that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 36.94 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a county that operates a sewerage or water system must offer an electronic payment option that its retail customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the utility. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a county that operates a sewerage or water system with less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 54.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a public utility district that provides electric, water, or sewer services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the district. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a public utility district that provides electric, water, or sewer services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 57.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a district that operates a sewer or water system must offer an electronic payment option that its retail customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the district. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a district that operates a sewer or water system with less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a gas company, electrical company, or water company that provides gas, electric, or water services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its retail customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the company. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a gas company, electrical company, or water company that provides gas, electric, or water services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 80.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2008, a telecommunications company that provides telecommunications services to retail customers must offer an electronic payment option that its retail customers may use for payment of bills for service provided through the company. Additional fees or costs charged to the customer may not exceed the actual cost of providing an electronic payment option.
     (2) The requirement under this section to provide an electronic payment option by July 1, 2008, does not apply to a telecommunications company that provides telecommunications services to less than five thousand retail customer accounts.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "electronic payment option" means an internet-based method of payment that allows a customer, at the time of payment, to access an internet web page and transmit text or data controlling the amount of the payment, the date of payment, and the account from which the payment will be made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.