BILL REQ. #:  H-1038.1 

Read first time 01/25/2007.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to prohibiting paper billing fees; and adding a new section to chapter 19.86 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 19.86 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A business entity that uses paper bills to charge customers for services provided must provide a customer with one paper copy of the customer's regular bill each billing cycle at no additional cost to the customer.
     (2) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this section are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying this chapter. A violation of this section is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying this chapter.