washington attorney general

The Washington Attorney General issues formal published opinions in response to requests by the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys. When it appears that individuals outside the Attorney General's Office have information or expertise that will assist in the preparation of a particular opinion, a summary of that opinion request will be published in the state register. If you are interested in commenting on a request listed in this volume of the register, you should notify the Attorney General's Office of your interest by July 8, 1998. This is not the due date by which comments must be received. However, if you do not notify the Attorney General's Office of your interest in commenting on an opinion request by July 8, 1998, the opinion may be issued before your comments have been received. You may notify the Attorney General's Office of your intention to comment by calling (360) 753-2678, or by writing to the Solicitor General, Office of the Attorney General, P.O. Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504-0100. When you notify the office of your intention to comment, you will be provided with a copy of the opinion request in which you are interested; information about the Attorney General's Opinion process; information on how to submit your comments; and a due date by which your comments must be received to ensure that they are fully considered.

The Attorney General's Office seeks public input on the following opinion request(s).

98-06-04 Request by Brian Sonntag

Washington State Auditor

1) Does a public utility district have statutory authority to provide the following products and services to its customers within its boundaries: (a) internet access, (b) home security, (c) appliance repairs, (d) telephone service, (e) cell phone and paging services, (f) electrical fireplaces?

2) Does a public utility district have statutory authority to provide those products and services which are expressly granted to them to other public and private utilities within and without the state?

3) Does a public utility district have statutory authority to provide those services implied from their express grant of power such as power scheduling and vegetation management to other public and private utilities within and without the state?

4) Does a public utility district have statutory authority to provide services such as plat construction for developers which includes the installation of telephone and cable television infrastructure within or without the state?

5) If a public utility district installs fiber optic cable for a statutorily authorized purpose, can any excess capacity be sold or leased to a private entity for other commercial uses?

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