Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1906: Water system rates
Status: Signed into law, March 28, 2026
Increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates.
What the bill says
An act Relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates; amending RCW 43.20.050, 43.20.260, 80.12.020, and 80.28.022; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates; amending RCW 43.20.050, 43.20.260, 80.12.020, and 80.28.022; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that water systems provide a critical utility service to the residents of Washington state, and due to scale economies, generally function as a natural monopoly in a given area. (2) The legislature finds that the utilities and transportation commission, the regulating agency responsible for approving water system rate changes and ensuring adequate consumer protections, does not have specific statutory standards to guide its review and approval of proposed water system rate changes. (3) The legislature finds that water systems are subject to a number of public health standards and requirements from the department of health that require comprehensive planning and capital investments to ensure that residents have continuous access to safe drinking water. The costs of these critical investments are reflected in rate changes in order to provide a reasonable rate of return and keep a water company in business. However, planning materials and information supporting capital investments are not currently required to be shared with the utilities and transportation commission. (4) The legislature further finds the current rate setting process does not provide the utilities and transportation commission sufficient structure or guidance to determine whether capital …
Sponsors
- Steve Tharinger (D) · primary sponsor
- Clyde Shavers (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 237, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 11, 2026): 94 yea, 2 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 3, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass as amended (March 2, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 91 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: WATER AND WATER RIGHTS
Common questions
- What is HB1906?
- HB1906 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Water system rates.
- What does HB1906 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates; amending RCW 43.20.050, 43.20.260, 80.12.020, and 80.28.022; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1906?
- Signed into law as of March 28, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1906?
- Steve Tharinger (D), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1906?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1906&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.