FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5782

                              C 109 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Hansen, Barr and Newhouse)

Establishing criminal penalties for defrauding a public utility.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

House Committe on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Utilities report an increasing amount of electricity theft through tampering or unauthorized connections in order to avoid metering.  Indoor marijuana farmers often tap into utility lines because the lights used for growing consume high levels of electricity.  Under current law, utilities may seek civil penalties against persons engaged in defrauding a utility or may seek criminal penalties under the theft statute.

SUMMARY:

Criminal penalties are established for defrauding a public utility.  A class B felony may be charged when tampering has occurred in furtherance of other criminal activity or when services taken exceed $1,500.  A class C felony may be charged when services taken exceed $500.  A gross misdemeanor may be charged when services less than $500 in value are taken or an unauthorized connection or reconnection is made.  The court may require restitution in an amount twice the value of services taken and payment of court costs and other costs incurred by the utility.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   47    0

     House 96  0 (House amended)

     Senate   45    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989