Regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Providing for Green Collar Jobs (SB 6516/HB 2815)

These Governor-request bills have the following major purposes:

Begin a process to ensure the emission reduction goals established by the Governor’s Executive Order 07-02 are achieved;
Direct the state to continue to develop a regional process to design a multisector, market- based system for regulating green house gas emissions (i.e. cap and trade system);
Authorize a reporting system to monitor greenhouse gas emissions;
Establish a process for maintaining a comprehensive inventory of green house gas emissions to track the state’s progress in achieving its greenhouse gas emission reductions; and
Create a "green collar" job training account to train and transition workers to clean energy jobs.

The cities of Seattle and Tacoma both testified on the bills and noted that the design of a cap and trade system is a very complex issue and will need to be paid close attention.

Internet Access (HB 2521, HB 2559, SB 6438)

AWC signed in with concerns on HB 2521, a mapping bill that would require the WA Utilities and Transportation Commission to map all telecommunications infrastructure and radio frequency bandwidth owned, licensed or controlled by public agencies in the state. AWC met with the prime sponsor and expressed concern that if the intent was to eventually make excess infrastructure available to the public, cities would be very concerned about this proposal due to safety, security and priority reasons. The prime sponsor, Rep. Zach Hudgins (D-Tukwila), listened to our concerns and changed the bill to only require mapping of state agency infrastructure. This should resolve any concerns we had with this bill. The amended bill passed out of committee and was sent to the Rules Committee for further review.

HB 2559, and its companion SB 6438, calls for a statewide initiative that follows the Connect Kentucky model of creating regional technology planning teams and partnerships to plan for improved technology use across multiple community sectors. Local governments would be invited to participate on these teams with the goal of improving the availability of internet access and use, technology literacy, and computer ownership. It seems this idea has some support behind it. AWC will monitor the bills as they move through the legislature.

Pole Attachments (HB 2533/SB 6585)

These bills would set requirements that pole attachment rates must meet certain criteria such as "just and reasonable", would define a process for requesting to attach, and would set an appeal process that gives the WA Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) authority to determine whether municipal pole attachment rates are just and reasonable or unjust and unreasonable.

Publicly-owned utilities have never been regulated by the WUTC, and do not support these bills.

A city panel testified in opposition to this proposal in the House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee last week, and will do the same in the Senate Water, Energy & Telecommunications Committee on Wednesday, January 30 at 3:30 pm.

Public TV Station Restrictions During Elections (HB 2904)

Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland), former Mayor of Richland, has proposed a bill to restrict incumbent county or city legislative members or executives who are candidates from appearing on publicly-funded television stations during the election season (June through November), except in the following capacities:

As a participant at a meeting of the legislative body;
As part of an open public meeting by members of the legislative body to express a collective decision; or
Acting in an official capacity at an open public event.

AWC staff will review the bill to ensure normal city business activities are covered in the exceptions to the bill. Any comments can be directed to Victoria Lincoln at victorial@awcnet.org or Sheri Sawyer at sheris@awcnet.org.

Expanding Metal Property Provisions (HB 2858)

Cities and other interest groups worked hard last session to pass ESSB 5312 concerning scrap metal theft. HB 2858 would expand the types of metal addressed in the bill to include "private metal property" which is further defined as catalytic converters. The bill is scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness on Monday, January 28 at 1:30 pm.

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