HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 992

BYRepresentatives Todd and Nelson

Changing provisions relating to termination of utility service.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (14)

     Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Barnes, Brooks, Gallagher, Hankins, Jacobsen, Jesernig, Madsen, May, Miller, Unsoeld and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113) and Ted Hunter (786-7114).

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Measures are in law to enable low income persons to avoid having their heat cut off in the winter.  However, these persons must take certain actions when notified by their utility of overdue bills. There appears to have been an oversight in the enactment of the legislation in that municipal gas utilities were not covered in these safety net provisions.

SUMMARY:

Municipal gas utilities are included in the safety net provisions.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  A city or town may not place a lien on a landlord's property when a tenant fails to pay utility bills.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Yeas 93; Absent 1; Excused 4

Absent:    Representative Scott

Excused:   Representatives Allen, Madsen, Pruitt and C. Smith