HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5889

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Talmadge, Benitz, Madsen and Hansen)

Authorizing entities furnishing utility services to assist their customers in water conservation.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair;K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson,R. Fisher, Fuhrman, Hargrove, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Public utilities which distribute electricity can administer electric energy conservation programs to reduce consumption by existing residential energy users.  The authority to conduct these programs derives from a constitutional amendment and enabling legislation passed in 1979.

Currently, a constitutional amendment, SJR 8210, is proposed to expand the authority for public utilities which distribute water to engage in a similar water conservation program.

SUMMARY:

Contingent upon passage of a constitutional amendment (SJR 8210), water districts and public utility districts engaged in the sale and distribution of water are provided authority to establish programs that will conserve water.  Cities, towns, public utility districts, and water districts, may develop a program, for compensation or otherwise, to assist residential, industrial, and commercial customers in financing the acquisition and installation of fixtures, systems, and equipment which will conserve water.  Pursuant to a conservation plan, the program can be offered if the costs per unit of water saved is less than the cost of water supplied by the next least costly source.

The kinds of assistance that can be offered to customers include the following: (1) conducting water conservation audits; (2) providing a list of businesses that sell and install efficient fixtures, systems, or equipment; (3) arranging to have approved conservation fixtures, systems, and equipment installed by a private contractor; (4) arranging or providing the financing of the purchase and installation which are to be purchased and installed by private businesses, the owner or the utility.

The payback period for loans is not to exceed 120 months and would be made through additions in the utility bill.

The terms "conservation" and "efficient use of water" shall have the meaning developed by the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Merle Gibbens, South Columbia Basin Irrigation District; Tom Mortimer, PUD Association; Lloyd Warner, Washington Water Utilities Council; Henry Yates, Seattle Water Department.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This 1979 legislation is modeled after legislation to conserve electricity.  Under this program, water purveyors are permitted to assist in water conservation practices in residences, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and irrigation.  Conservation and efficiency practices must be part of an overall efficiency program.  Beginning such a program now will allow water purveyors to meet new demands without seeking additional supply sources.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.