_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1241
_______________________________________________
Passed Legislature - 1995 Regular Session
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995
Regular Session
By
Read first time 02/09/95.
Providing
waivers of electric and gas utility connection charges.
AN ACT Relating to
waivers of electric and gas utility connection charges; amending RCW 35.41.080
and 54.24.080; and adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. A new section is added
to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
A city or town,
including a code city, that owns or operates an electric or gas utility may
waive connection charges for properties purchased by low-income persons from
organizations exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal
revenue code as amended prior to the effective date of this act. Waivers of
connection charges for the same class of electric or gas utility service must
be uniformly applied to all qualified property. Nothing in this section
authorizes the impairment of a contract.
Sec. 2. RCW 35.41.080 and 1971
ex.s. c 223 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The
legislative body of any city or town may provide by ordinance for revenues by
fixing rates and charges for the furnishing of service, use, or benefits to
those to whom service, use, or benefits from such facility or utility is
available, which rates and charges shall be uniform for the same class of
service. ((And,)) The legislative body may waive connection charges
for properties purchased by low-income persons from organizations exempt from
tax under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code as amended
prior to the effective date of this act. Waivers of connection charges for the
same class of electric or gas utility service must be uniformly applied to all
qualified property. Nothing in this subsection (1) authorizes the impairment of
a contract.
(2) If revenue
bonds or warrants are issued against the revenues ((thereof)) collected
under subsection (1) of this section, the legislative body of the city or
town shall fix charges at rates which will be sufficient, together with any
other moneys lawfully pledged therefor, to provide for the payment of bonds and
warrants, principal and interest, sinking fund requirements and expenses
incidental to the issuance of such revenue bonds or warrants; in fixing such
charges the legislative body of the city or town may establish rates sufficient
to pay, in addition, the costs of operating and maintaining such facility or
utility.
Sec. 3. RCW 54.24.080 and 1991 c
347 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The commission of
each district which shall have revenue obligations outstanding shall have the
power and shall be required to establish, maintain, and collect rates or
charges for electric energy and water and other services, facilities, and
commodities sold, furnished, or supplied by the district ((which)).
The rates and charges shall be fair and, except as authorized by RCW
74.38.070 and by subsections (2) and (3) of this section, nondiscriminatory,
and shall be adequate to provide revenues sufficient for the payment of
the principal of and interest on such revenue obligations for which the payment
has not otherwise been provided and all payments which the district is
obligated to set aside in any special fund or funds created for such purpose,
and for the proper operation and maintenance of the public utility and all
necessary repairs, replacements, and renewals thereof.
(2) The commission
of a district may waive connection charges for properties purchased by
low-income persons from organizations exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3)
of the federal internal revenue code as amended prior to the effective date of
this act. Waivers of connection charges for the same class of electric or gas
utility service must be uniformly applied to all qualified property. Nothing
in this subsection (2) authorizes the impairment of a contract.
(3) In
establishing rates or charges for water service, commissioners may in their
discretion consider the achievement of water conservation goals and the
discouragement of wasteful water use practices.
Passed
the House February 22, 1995.
Passed
the Senate April 13, 1995.
Approved by the Governor April 27, 1995.
Filed in Office of
Secretary of State April 27, 1995.
