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WashingtonHB 19062025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates.

Sponsored By: Steve Tharinger (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger customer protections when utilities change owners

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington's utility commission cannot approve gas, water, or electric company control acquisitions without finding a net customer benefit. Water-system customers must get notice by mail or public posting at least 90 days before an acquisition. The notice must include good-faith estimates of future improvements and water-rate changes. Before ownership changes, notice must also go to the county, water and public utility districts operating water systems there, and neighboring public water systems. The commission must verify the required notices before approving a water-company control change.

Low-income water help funded by customer rates

Beginning January 1, 2027, water companies can include low-income residential bill assistance or special rates in multiyear rate plans. Washington's utility commission may approve collecting money from customers to fund that help. Collections are capped at 5% of the company's approved revenue requirement for each plan year, not 5% of a household's bill. The commission can approve, reject, or change the proposal, so assistance is not guaranteed.

New rules for water costs and rates

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington's utility commission must adopt rules for adding allowable water-company improvement costs to rates. Rules must account for outside funding, health-department-approved water plans, customer notice, and rate impacts. They must promote smoother rate changes, account for system size and capabilities, and provide waivers for emergency health-and-safety improvements. Beginning January 1, 2027, companies filing general rate cases can propose plans covering two years, or three or four years. After a formal hearing, the commission can approve, conditionally approve, or reject the company's plan or an alternative. It must approve each year's rates separately, keeping them fair, reasonable, sufficient, and in the public interest.

Stronger safety and planning rules for water systems

Beginning June 11, 2026, Group A public water systems must protect sources, treat water adequately, maintain facilities, and plan for growth. They must provide current owner and operator contacts, plus a 24-hour emergency contact. They must submit water-system plans, small-system management plans, or engineering documents when the state health department requires them. They must investigate or fix problems to maintain safe, reliable drinking water. New Group A systems must use a financially viable satellite management agency to own or operate them. If none is available, the new system must have enough management and financial resources to provide safe service. Group B systems must meet applicable requirements; local health boards can set stricter satellite-management requirements. The state health department and local health agencies enforce these rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Tharinger

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Clyde Shavers

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 234 • No: 3

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 94 • No: 2 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 91 • No: 1 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/28/2026House

  2. Chapter 237, 2026 Laws.

    3/28/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/28/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/11/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/3/2026House

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026House

  12. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/3/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  14. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/2/2026House

  15. Referred to Ways & Means.

    2/25/2026House

  16. And refer to Ways & Means.

    2/24/2026House

  17. ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  18. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

    2/18/2026House

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 91; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 6.

    2/16/2026House

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/14/2026House

  23. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/9/2026House

  24. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/9/2026House

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

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