Increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates.

 H-1613.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1906

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By House Environment & Energy (originally sponsored by Representatives Tharinger, Shavers, Parshley, and Hill)

READ FIRST TIME 02/21/25.

AN ACT Relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates; amending RCW 43.20.050 , 43.20.260 , 80.12.020 , and 80.28.022 ; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that water systems provide a critical utility service to the residents of Washington state, and due to scale economies, generally function as a natural monopoly in a given area.

(2) The legislature finds that the utilities and transportation commission, the regulating agency responsible for approving water system rate changes and ensuring adequate consumer protections, does not have specific statutory standards to guide its review and approval of proposed water system rate changes.