AWC has been closely tracking a bill that would help deliver utility services to low-income persons. HB 1326, from Rep. Julio Cortes (D–Everett), permits municipal utilities to waive connection charges for properties that provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing. Find our coverage of the bill as introduced and the amended version.

Having passed the House, HB 1326 was heard last week in the Senate, where it received a technical amendment clarifying that the bill’s definition of “connection charge” is the same as that used in existing statute, specifically, RCW 35.92.025.

AWC supports this bill.

HB 1326 passed out of the Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee. It awaits consideration in the Rules Committee.