HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5023

BYSenators Benitz and Williams; by request of Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Revising provisions for proposed tariff changes.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass. (11)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, Miller, H. Myers and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. (1)

      Signed by Representative R. Meyers.

House Staff:Harry Reinert (786-7110)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 12, 1989

BACKGROUND:

A water, gas, electric, or telephone company regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission must file proposed rate changes with the commission at least 30 days before the effective date of the proposed changes.  If the commission does not act on the filing within the 30 day period, the filing goes into effect as filed.  This is the case even if the effective date is more than 30 days after the proposed changes are filed with the commission.

SUMMARY:

The Utilities and Transportation Commission may suspend a proposed rate change by a water, gas, electric or telephone company within 30 days after the proposed change is filed with the commission or before the stated effective date, whichever is later.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steve McLellan, Utilities & Transportation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The commission will be given additional time to review proposed rate changes so it will not be compelled to suspend a rate change which, on further review, it might accept.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.