BILL REQ. #:  H-4532.1 

Read first time 01/25/2006.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to power generation projects or facilities operated by public utility districts in distressed counties; and adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 54.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When a public utility district constructs or operates a hydroelectric project or power generation facility on the Columbia river, and the facility is located in a distressed county as defined in RCW 43.160.220 with less than twenty-five percent of its land mass subject to local property taxes, the public utility district shall negotiate an agreement with the county in which the project or facility is located. The purpose of the agreement is for the county and the public utility district to share in the reasonable benefits derived from the facility.
     (2) Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of this section, the county and the public utility district must reach a reasonable agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, then the issue must be submitted to arbitration pursuant to chapter 7.04A RCW. The county, the public utility district, and the governor shall participate in the arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator or arbitrator panel must reach a final decision within sixty days.