HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2656

Title:  An act relating to addressing health problems that significantly increase energy needs.

Brief Description:  Reducing energy costs for customers that have significant energy needs due to serious health problems.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kagi, Benson, Cody, Regala, Edmonds, Edwards, Schual‑Berke, Murray, Kessler, Conway, Lovick and O'Brien.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TECHNOLOGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & ENERGY

Meeting:  February 1, 2000.

Staff:  Julia Harmatz (786-7135)

Background:

Persons with certain medical conditions have a need to live in environments with warm temperatures.  The warm temperature may help to prevent the worsening of such health conditions.  Such persons are deemed Atemperature sensitive.@  Temperature sensitive persons can include those on life support equipment, paraplegic, quadriplegic, with Scleroderma, or compromised immune systems. 

Summary of Bill:

Intent Section

This bill states that the intent of the Legislature is to encourage light, power, and gas distribution companies to offer discounts on heating costs to temperature sensitive patients by providing a tax credit to the company.

Application Process

The temperature sensitive person must submit an application to the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to receive a discount on heating costs.  CTED will prescribe the form of application.  The application must contain a statement from a physician who certifies that the person is temperature sensitive with a qualifying condition.

Tax Credit

CTED will send the approved application to the business and the business may receive a tax credit for the payment reduction.  The payment reduction will not be more than 50 percent of the amount owed to the business for services. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 26, 2000.

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.