H-365 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 57
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State of Washington 49th Legislature 1985 Regular Session
By Representatives D. Nelson, Jacobsen, Todd, Valle and Unsoeld
Read first time 1/17/85 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.
AN ACT Relating to information and education activities of public service companies; and adding new sections to chapter 80.04 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 80.04 RCW to read as follows:
The legislature declares it is the policy of the state that ratepayer-financed public service company information and education activities shall not be restricted in attendance, shall be unbiased, and shall include all points of view on issues.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 80.04 RCW to read as follows:
By December 31, 1985, the commission shall adopt rules pertaining to ratepayer-financed public service company information and education activities. The rules shall extend to all ratepayer-financed information and education activities, including newsletters, employee and ratepayer notices and mailings, advertising, and general communications. The rules shall include the following provisions:
(1) Seminars or materials must be general in nature and not focused on specific legislation or candidates for political office;
(2) When legislation, candidates, or office holders must be mentioned, the coverage shall not convey support or opposition;
(3) These activities shall not include political action committee solicitations;
(4) These activities shall not be a means to gather data for political mailing lists or recruiting political campaign volunteers;
(5) Treatment of topics shall be balanced, incorporating all points of view; and
(6) Any information of a political nature generated by a public service company with ratepayer funds must be accessible to all employees of that public service company.