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Committee declines to recommend net‑metering cost recovery bill after work‑session and executive votes
Summary
HB 1398, which proposed extending a stranded‑cost recovery mechanism to other regulated utilities for net‑metering charges, was not recommended by the committee after work‑session discussion and an executive-session roll call.
The Science, Technology and Energy Committee considered House Bill 1398, which sought to extend a stranded‑cost recovery mechanism (used by the state’s largest utility) to other regulated utilities so that net‑metering costs would be trackable and shared across customers. The clerk read the bill’s statement of intent noting the committee had previously amended the bill and deferred it for further study.
During discussion, members raised competitive‑market concerns: Representative McGee warned the proposal could disadvantage alternative energy suppliers and that net‑metering questions are being examined by the Public Utilities Commission. Representative Harrington moved in the work session to not recommend the bill; that motion was seconded and the work‑session straw vote was recorded as unanimous in the transcript.
In executive session the committee considered a motion to recommend the bill for future legislation; the motion failed on roll call (7–10), resulting in a formal committee recommendation of not recommended for future legislation (10–7). The chair volunteered to write the calendar report.
Why it matters: HB 1398 touches on how net‑metering costs are allocated among customers and how utilities recover those costs; the PUC is already examining related rate issues, and several members urged deference to that process.
Next steps: The committee report will be added to the legislative calendar; proponents may still refile or rework the measure for later consideration.
