To direct the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a performance audit of the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The audit will be focused on UTC responsibilities regarding energy, natural gas, and telecommunications, and will be funded through a temporary surcharge on companies in these industries.   Official Text and Analysis.

By Representative Morris; and Marc Anderson, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. They testified that this is about the Legislature doing a better job overseeing agencies within its jurisdiction. The audit will help identify benchmarks in key areas to measure the success or failure of the WUTC. It's useful to look at the WUTC on a regular basis to see how they operate. There is also support to designate the WUTC as the National Electric Safety Code administrator for all utilities in the State of Washington, not just regulated utilities. This designation would result in improved safety and reliability in Washington as well as assist the WUTC staff in developing expertise on the National Electric Safety Code.

By Beth Redfield, Utilities and Transportation Commission. She testified that the WUTC welcomes the opportunity to be compared to other commissions and has the needed time for this inquiry. The WUTC also appreciates the Legislature's wish to better understand the Commission.
Testimony against: none offered.

To delete certain elements of the performance audit including an evaluation of the Commission's activities in relation to its strategic plan and recommendations for improving the accountability and performance of the Commission. The substitute clarifies that the Legislature will work with the Commission to identify performance measures and specifies information to be included in the analysis of the Commission's organizational structure and functions. The substitute bill reduces the amount to be collected from a surcharge paid by regulated telecommunications, electrical, and natural gas companies to pay for the audit from $400,000 to $200,000.

By Representative Morris. He testified that this bill addresses issues of the Competitiveness Council, particularly to ensure the costs of regulation are not burdensome to industry. The Legislature has done a poor job of overseeing the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). We haven't identified benchmarks by which to measure their performance, and we do no systematic reviews of the agency. This bill would identify benchmarks so we can determine the effectiveness of the WUTC and do a better job of oversight. Last year the WUTC opposed this bill, but this year they were consulted on the language and are neutral and willing to work with us. The performance audit will do four things: look at consumer satisfaction; involve interviews with regulated utilities; examine the WUTC's turnaround time on decisions in comparison to other states that we compete with for investment capital; and look at our costs of regulation compared to those same states. Because investment decisions happen very quickly these days, our turnaround time is critical to competing for capital investments.
Testimony against: none offered.

Regarding an audit of the Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The bill did not pass both chambers during the 2003 regular session, so the bill automatically returned to the House Rules Committee when the regular 105-day session adjourned on April 27, 2003.

For consideration during the 2003 first special session.

But the bill did not pass both chambers during the 2003 first special session, so the bill automatically returned to the House Rules Committee.

For consideration during the 2003 second special session.