FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5679

                                  C 107 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Williams, Owen, Benitz, Stratton and Sellar)

Providing procedures for confidentiality for information filed with the utilities and transportation commission.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

As the telecommunications industry becomes more competitive, there is an increasing concern about protection of trade secrets.  On occasion, information which may be considered proprietary is part of a proceeding before the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  This information can remain in the UTC records and may be subject to requests pursuant to the Public Disclosure Act.

SUMMARY:

Information which is commercially valuable shall not be subject to inspection or copying until the persons affected by the information have been given notice and an opportunity to procure a court order which would protect the information as confidential.  The provision would apply to all utilities under the jurisdiction of the UTC.

Other information, customer specific usage, network configuration, and design information may be designated as commercially valuable, but it must be so designated at the time of filing with the Attorney General or the Commission.

The provisions do not affect the Commission's authority to designate certain types of information as proprietary in its own proceedings.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    47     0

      House 96   2

EFFECTIVE:April 20, 1987