VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6675-S

                   March 23, 2000

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 4 and 8, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6675 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the provision of telecommunications services by public utility districts and rural port districts;"

     This bill gives public utility districts and rural port districts express authority to be wholesalers of telecommunications services within their districts.  I support this legislation as a key step in promoting advanced telecommunications facilities and services in underserved areas of Washington.

     Sections 4 and 8 of the bill would impose overly restrictive requirements on public utility and rural port districts before financing or constructing telecommunications facilities, and would not significantly improve accountability.  I strongly support the goal of ensuring accountability to the public.  However, I believe that some of the requirements of sections 4 and 8 could impair districts' current activities and significantly complicate or delay the facilities and services that our rural areas so urgently need.

     I fully expect that public utility and port districts will respond appropriately to requests for information from the Legislature regardless of any statutory requirement to do so.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed sections 4 and 8 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 6675.

     With the exception of sections 4 and 8, Substitute Senate Bill No. 6675 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor