FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5889

PARTIAL VETO

                              C 421 L 89

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.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

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

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, municipal entities, public utility districts and water districts engaged in the sale and distribution of water are provided authority to establish programs that will conserve water.  Cities, public utility districts, and water districts may develop a program, for compensation or otherwise, to assist the owners of structures 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 owners of structures include:  (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 of such fixtures and equipment.

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

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   45    0

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   48    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:Upon voter approval of SJR 8210 in November 1989

Partial Veto Summary:  A provision stating that the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy would define the terms "water use efficiency" and "conservation" was vetoed.  The removal of the language has no effect on the substance of the bill.  (See VETO MESSAGE)