House passes bill reducing utility reporting; sponsor says it will free up roughly $50 million for low-income programs
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Summary
The House approved HB 25 75 to reduce some reporting obligations under state environmental law. Backers said the change will cut duplicative filings and could free roughly $50,000,000 that utilities could direct to low-income customers; the bill passed overwhelmingly.
The Washington House of Representatives voted to pass HB 25 75, a bill to scale back certain reporting obligations under state environmental law, saying it will trim duplicative requirements and free funds for low-income utility customers.
Sponsor Representative Hall described the measure on the House floor as "streamlining certain reporting requirements for the Department of Commerce for water and electric utilities," saying some reports are "duplicative" or "no longer useful." Representative Guevara, presenting an adopted amendment, said the reporting burden had cost utilities significant sums: "They spend about, rough figures, $50,000,000 just to do the reporting." Backers argued that reducing the reporting burden will allow utilities to redirect savings into low-income assistance programs.
Opposition on the floor was minimal during the final passage. The clerk reported the roll-call result after final action: a constitutional majority was recorded and the Speaker declared HB 25 75 passed.
The bill advanced under suspension of the rules to third reading and final passage in the same floor action, after adoption of amendment 1579. The sponsor and several colleagues urged a yes vote, emphasizing administrative simplification and potential consumer benefits.
With the bill passed, next steps typically include enrollment and transmission to the governor for signature or veto under standard legislative procedure.