BILL REQ. #:  H-1371.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/22/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to uncontested rate modifications for utilities and transportation commission regulated water companies; adding new sections to chapter 80.28 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Until June 30, 2019, and to address the problem of employee hiring or retention due to competition for qualified employees and the problem of frequent increases in the costs of electricity and motor fuel, a water company may file tariff changes adjusting its metered or flat tariff rates for water usage up to three percent without being subject to suspension or adjudication under RCW 80.28.060, if:
     (a) The water company files with the tariff changes a verified statement, with supporting documentation, that demonstrates why the amount of additional revenue from the tariff change is the amount necessary to hire or retain a qualified employee or employees or to pay the increased costs of purchasing electricity and motor fuel;
     (b) Prior to the first time a company files for a rate increase under this section, the company has completed a general rate case under RCW 80.28.060 within the previous three years that resulted in either an order issued by the commission approving a change in rates or the rate changes going into effect by operation of law;
     (c) The company has not adjusted its rates under this section within the previous twelve months;
     (d) The company is in compliance with RCW 80.24.010;
     (e) The company is in compliance with all board of health and department of health safe drinking water rules. The commission must determine the system's compliance with drinking water rules as reported on the department of health's web site;
     (f) The company is not subject to a complaint filed under RCW 80.04.110 or other pending actions before the commission; and
     (g) The company has not adjusted its rates under this section more than four times since last completing a general rate case under RCW 80.28.060, resulting in either an order issued by the commission approving changes in rates or the rate changes going into effect by operation of law.
     (2) A water company must give written notice of the proposed rate adjustment to the commission and the ratepayers receiving service from the water company at least sixty days prior to the effective date of the rate adjustment. The increased rates do not become effective until at least sixty days after notice and filing with the commission.
     (3) A water company must report to the commission how it expended the funds accruing from the tariff rate increase received pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The water company must report this information within twelve months of the effective date of any increase under this section and prior to filing any subsequent requests under this section.
     (4) Nothing in this section prevents a water company from filing for a rate change pursuant to any other statute, rule, or procedure of the commission. Nothing in this section prevents the commission from taking any action within the scope of its authority, except the commission may not suspend or adjudicate a tariff change meeting the requirements of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:
     By October 1, 2018, the commission shall report to the legislature, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, regarding the rate filings made by water companies under section 1 of this act, how the rate changes occurring as a result of these filings have affected the financial stability of water companies, and whether and how the processes in section 1 of this act resulted in a reduction in the commission's costs of regulating water companies.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire June 30, 2019.