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Legislation watch
2017 Senate Bill 6034: Authorizing limited retail telecommunications services for public utility districts that provide only sewer, water, and telecommunications on the effective date of this act
Introduced by Sen. Christine Rolfes (Kitsap County) (D) on January 8, 2017
Referred to the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee on January 8, 2018
Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 2, 2018
Amendment offered by Sen. Christine Rolfes (Kitsap County) (D) on February 12, 2018
A UTC regulated company may choose the UTC to resolve disputes regarding adequacy of internet service.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on February 12, 2018
Received in the House on February 14, 2018
Referred to the House Technology & Economic Development Committee on February 14, 2018
Referred to the House Finance Committee on February 23, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Morris (Mt. Vernon) (D) on March 2, 2018
Expires the authority provided for any public utility
district that does not begin providing retail internet service within years of the effective date of the act. Corrects two
internal references. Modifies the service upon demand requirement
to apply to persons and entities within the geographical area
meeting certain conditions. Removes the sections imposing a
privilege tax on PUD sales of retail Internet service. Subjects PUD
broadband network property used for retail internet service to
annual payments in lieu of property taxes. Requires the Department
of Revenue to submit annual reports to the Legislature on payments
made under the provisions and the amount of property tax that would
be owed on the broadband network used in providing retail internet
service.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 2, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Richard DeBolt (Chehalis) (R) on March 6, 2018
Expires the authority provided for any public utility
district that has not either entered into a partnership payment structure to finance broadband deployment or been petitioned to
provide retail internet service within 5 years of the effective date
of the act. Requires development of a business case plan prior to
authorization to provide retail internet service. Modifies the rates
standard from "fair and nondiscriminatory" to "just, fair, and
reasonable." Prohibits PUDs from conditioning the cost or
availability of other services on purchase or use of retail internet
services. Requires provision of retail internet service to all
entities within the geographical area meeting certain conditions.
Requires separate accounting for retail internet service revenues
and expenditures. Subjects PUD broadband network property used for
retail internet service to annual payments in lieu of property
taxes. Requires the Department of Revenue to submit annual reports
to the Legislature on payments made under the provisions and the
amount of property tax that would be owed on the broadband network
used in providing retail internet service.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 6, 2018
Received in the Senate on March 5, 2018
Failed by voice vote in the Senate on March 5, 2018
Received in the House on March 6, 2018
Passed Legislature.
Received in the Senate on March 7, 2018
Signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on March 22, 2018