BILL REQ. #:  S-0951.1 

Read first time 01/27/11.   Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.

     AN ACT Relating to utility donations to hunger programs; adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.80 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 80.28 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) Public utility districts may request voluntary donations from their customers for the purpose of supporting hunger programs.
     (2) Voluntary donations collected by public utility districts under this section may be used by the public utility district to support the maintenance and operation of hunger programs in the community.
     (3) Donations received under this section do not contribute to the gross income of a light and power business or gas distribution business under chapter 82.16 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35.92 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Municipal utilities under this chapter may request voluntary donations from their customers for the purpose of supporting hunger programs.
     (2) Voluntary donations collected by municipal utilities under this section may be used by the municipal utility to support the maintenance and operation of hunger programs in the community.
     (3) Donations received under this section do not contribute to the gross income of a light and power business or gas distribution business under chapter 82.16 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 35A.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Code cities providing utility services under this chapter may request voluntary donations from their customers for the purpose of supporting hunger programs.
     (2) Voluntary donations collected by code cities under this section may be used by the code city to support the maintenance and operation of hunger programs in the community.
     (3) Donations received under this section do not contribute to the gross income of a light and power business or gas distribution business under chapter 82.16 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Gas companies and electrical companies under this chapter may request voluntary donations from their customers for the purpose of supporting hunger programs.
     (2) Voluntary donations collected by gas companies or electrical companies under this chapter may be used by the gas companies or the electrical companies to support the maintenance and operation of hunger programs in the community.
     (3) Donations received under this section do not contribute to the gross income of a light and power business or gas distribution business under chapter 82.16 RCW.