SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6426
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 16, 2018
Title: An act relating to extending existing telecommunications authority to all ports in Washington state in order to facilitate public-private partnerships in wholesale telecommunications services and infrastructure.
Brief Description: Extending existing telecommunications authority to all ports in Washington state in order to facilitate public-private partnerships in wholesale telecommunications services and infrastructure.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Chase, Warnick, Sheldon, McCoy, Cleveland, Rivers and Wilson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Energy, Environment & Technology: 1/17/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & TECHNOLOGY |
Staff: Jan Odano (786-7486)
Background: A rural port district in existence on June 8, 2000, may acquire and operate telecommunications facilities for their own internal telecommunications needs within and outside of its district and to provide wholesale telecommunications services within its district limits.
Rural port districts providing wholesale services must:
ensure that their rates, terms, and conditions are not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential;
keep accountings of revenues and expenditures of their wholesale telecommunications activities separate from their internal telecommunications operations;
dedicate the revenues from the wholesale activities to paying off the costs incurred in building and maintaining the telecommunications facilities; and
charge themselves the true and full value of telecommunications services provided by their separate telecommunications functions to the district.
Rural port districts may not charge preferential or discriminatory rates to its non-telecommunications operations or exercise powers of eminent domain to acquire telecommunications facilities or contractual rights to such facilities.
A rural port district is defined as one located in a county with an average population density of less than 100 persons per square mile.
The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates utilities and transportation services to ensure fair pricing, availability, reliability, and safety. The UTC may be petitioned by a person who believes rates, terms and conditions are discriminatory or preferential.
Summary of Bill: The authority to acquire and operate telecommunications facilities to provide wholesale telecommunications services within and outside district limits is extending to port district in existence on June 8, 2000.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.