RCW 54.24.020 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 24 / Section 020
RCW 54.24.020: General obligation bonds, revenue obligations for cost of utilities.
Status: in_force

Whenever the commission of a public utility district, organized pursuant to chapter 1 of the Laws of 1931 (sections 11605 et seq. of Remington's Revised Statutes) shall deem it advisable that the district purchase, purchase and condemn, acquire or construct any public utility, or make any additions or betterments thereto or extensions thereof, the commission shall provide therefor by resolution, which shall specify and adopt the system or plan proposed and declare the estimated cost thereof, as near as may be, including as part of such cost funds necessary for working capital for the operation of such public utility by the district and for the payment of the expenses incurred in the acquisition or construction thereof, and shall specify whether general obligation bonds or revenue obligations are to be issued to defray such cost and the amount of such general obligation bonds or revenue obligations. The commissioners may provide in such resolution that any additional works, plants, or facilities subsequently acquired or constructed by the district for the same uses, whether or not physically connected therewith, shall be deemed additions or betterments to or extensions of such public utility.
RCW 54.16.080 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 080
RCW 54.16.080: Levy and collection of taxes—Tax anticipation warrants.
Status: in_force

A district may raise revenue by the levy of an annual tax on all taxable property within the district, not exceeding forty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value in any one year, exclusive of interest and redemption for general obligation bonds. The commission shall prepare a proposed budget of the contemplated financial transactions for the ensuing year and file it in its records, on or before the first Monday in September. Notice of the filing of the proposed budget and the date and place of hearing thereon shall be published for at least two consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed and of general circulation in the county. On the first Monday in October, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at which any taxpayer may appear and be heard against the whole or any part thereof. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall, by resolution, adopt the budget as finally determined, and fix the final amount of expenditures for the ensuing year. Taxes levied by the commission shall be certified to and collected by the proper officer of the county in which the district is located in the same manner as provided for the certification and collection of port district taxes. The commission may, prior to the receipt of taxes raised by levy, borrow money or issue warrants of the district in anticipation of the revenue to be derived from the levy or taxes for district purposes, and the warrants shall be redeemed from the first money available from such taxes. The warrants shall not exceed the anticipated revenue of one year, and shall bear interest at a rate determined by the commission.
RCW 54.36.020 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 36 / Section 020
RCW 54.36.020: Increased financial burden on school district—Determination of number of construction pupils.
Status: in_force

When as the result of a public utility district construction project a school district considers it is suffering an increased financial burden in any year during the construction project, it shall determine the number of construction pupils enrolled in the school district on the first of May of such year.
RCW 54.04.055 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 055
RCW 54.04.055: Employee benefits—District may continue to pay premiums after employee retires.
Status: in_force

Any public utility district which provides for the coverage of any of its employees under any plan for individual annuity contracts, retirement income policies, group annuity contracts, group insurance for the benefit of its employees, or any other contract for the benefit of its employees, and pays all or any part of the premiums or other payments required therefor, is hereby authorized to continue to make such payments for such employees after their retirement from employment. Such payments agreed to by the public utility district shall be considered as deferred compensation. Such payments shall not be retroactive but shall only be available for those employees employed on or after August 6, 1965 provided that such payments for retired employees shall not exceed those being paid for regular employees.
RCW 54.28.055 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 055
RCW 54.28.055: Distribution of tax proceeds from thermal electric generating facilities.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to distribute the amount collected under RCW 54.28.025 (1) as follows: (a) Fifty percent to the state general fund for the support of schools; and (b) Twenty-two percent to the counties, twenty-three percent to the cities, three percent to the fire protection districts, and two percent to the library districts. (2) Each county, city, fire protection district, and library district must receive a percentage of the amount for distribution to counties, cities, fire protection districts, and library districts, respectively, in the proportion that the population of such district residing within the impacted area bears to the total population of all such districts residing within the impacted area. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "library district" includes only regional libraries, rural county library districts, intercounty rural library districts, and island library districts as those terms are defined in RCW 27.12.010 . The population of a library district, for purposes of such a distribution, does not include any population within the library district and the impact area that also is located within a city or town. (3) Distributions under this section must be adjusted as follows: (a) If any distribution pursuant to subsection (1)(b) of this section cannot be made, then that share must be prorated among the state and remaining local districts. (b) The department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to adjust distributions under this section, in whole or in part, to account for each county's, city's, fire protection district's, and library district's proportionate share of amounts previously distributed under this section and subsequently refunded to a public utility district under RCW 82.32.060 . (4) All distributions directed by this section to be made on the basis of population must be calculated in accordance with population data as last determined by the office of financial management.
RCW 54.52.020 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 52 / Section 020
RCW 54.52.020: Disbursal of contributions—Quarterly report.
Status: in_force

All assistance provided under this chapter shall be disbursed by the grantee, charitable organization, or district. When applicable, the public utility district will be paid on behalf of the customer by the grantee or the charitable organization. When direct vendor payment is not feasible, a check will be issued jointly payable to the customer and the public utility district. The availability of funds for assistance to a district's low-income customers as a result of voluntary contributions shall not reduce the amount of assistance for which the district's customers are eligible under the federally funded energy assistance programs administered by the grantee of the department of commerce within the district's service area. When applicable, the grantee or charitable organization shall provide the district with a quarterly report on January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th which includes information concerning the total amount of funds received from the district, the names of all recipients of assistance from these funds, the amount received by each recipient, and the amount of funds received from the district currently on hand and available for future low-income assistance.
RCW 54.16.120 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 120
RCW 54.16.120: Local utility districts authorized.
Status: in_force

A district may, by resolution, establish and define the boundaries of local assessment districts to be known as local utility district No. . . . ., for distribution, under the general supervision and control of the commission, of water for all purposes, public and private, including domestic use, irrigation, and electric energy, and for providing street lighting, or any of them, and in like manner provide for the purchasing, or otherwise acquiring, or constructing and equipping and maintaining and operating distribution systems for such purposes, and for extensions and betterments thereof, and may levy and collect in accordance with the special benefits conferred thereon, special assessments and reassessments on property specially benefited thereby, for paying the cost and expense thereof, or any portions thereof, as herein provided, and issue local improvement bonds or warrants or both to be repaid wholly or in part by collection of local improvement assessments. A district also may form local utility districts located entirely or in part outside its limits or the limits of the county in which the district is located to provide water, or sewer facilities if otherwise authorized under this title.
RCW 54.12.080 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 12 / Section 080
RCW 54.12.080: Compensation and expenses—Group insurance.
Status: in_force

(1) Commissioners of public utility districts shall receive salaries as follows: (a) Each public utility district commissioner of a district operating utility properties shall receive a salary of one thousand eight hundred dollars per month, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management in subsection (6) of this section, during a calendar year if the district received total gross revenue of over fifteen million dollars during the fiscal year ending June 30th before the calendar year. (b) Each public utility district commissioner of a district operating utility properties shall receive a salary of one thousand three hundred dollars per month, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management in subsection (6) of this section, during a calendar year if the district received total gross revenue of from two million dollars to fifteen million dollars during the fiscal year ending June 30th before the calendar year. (c) Commissioners of other districts shall receive a salary of six hundred dollars per month, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management in subsection (6) of this section, for each commissioner. (2) In addition to salary, all districts shall provide for the payment of per diem compensation to each commissioner at a rate of ninety dollars, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management in subsection (6) of this section, for each day or portion thereof spent in actual attendance at official meetings of the district commission or in performance of other official services or duties on behalf of the district, to include meetings of the commission of his or her district or meetings attended by one or more commissioners of two or more districts called to consider business common to them, but such compensation paid during any one year to a commissioner shall not exceed twelve thousand six hundred dollars, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management in subsection (6) of this section. Per diem compensation shall not be paid for services of a ministerial or professional nature. (3) Any commissioner may waive all or any portion of his or her compensation payable under this section as to any month or months during his or her term of office, by a written waiver filed with the district as provided in this section. The waiver, to be effective, must be filed any time after the commissioner's election and prior to the date on which the compensation would otherwise be paid. The waiver shall specify the month or period of months for which it is made. (4) Each district commissioner shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with such business and meetings, including his or her subsistence and lodging and travel while away from his or her place of residence. (5) Any district providing group insurance for its employees, covering them, their immediate family, and dependents, may provide insurance for its commissioner with the same coverage. (6) The dollar thresholds for salaries and per diem compensation established in this section must be adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management every five years, beginning January 1, 2024, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period. "Consumer price index" means, for any calendar year, that year's annual average consumer price index, for Washington state, for wage earners and clerical workers, all items, compiled by the bureau of labor and statistics, United States department of labor. If the bureau of labor and statistics develops more than one consumer price index for areas within the state, the index covering the greatest number of people, covering areas exclusively within the boundaries of the state, and including all items shall be used for the adjustments for inflation in this section. The office of financial management must calculate the new dollar threshold and transmit it to the office of the code reviser for publication in the Washington State Register at least one month before the new dollar threshold is to take effect. (7) A person holding office as commissioner for two or more special purpose districts shall receive only that per diem compensation authorized for one of his or her commissioner positions as compensation for attending an official meeting or conducting official services or duties while representing more than one of his or her districts. However, such commissioner may receive additional per diem compensation if approved by resolution of all boards of the affected commissions.
RCW 54.16.390 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 390
RCW 54.16.390: Environmental mitigation activities.
Status: in_force

(1) A public utility district may develop and make publicly available a plan for the district to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions or achieve no-net emissions from all sources of greenhouse gases that the district owns, leases, uses, contracts for, or otherwise controls. (2) A public utility district may, as part of its utility operation, mitigate the environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gases emissions, of its operation and any power purchases. Mitigation may include, but is not limited to, those greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms recognized by independent, qualified organizations with proven experience in emissions mitigation activities. Mitigation mechanisms may include the purchase, trade, and banking of greenhouse gases offsets or credits. If a state greenhouse gases registry is established, a public utility district that has purchased, traded, or banked greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms under this section shall receive credit in the registry.
RCW 54.16.270 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 270
RCW 54.16.270: Sewage system works—Existing authority not affected.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in RCW 54.16.230 through 54.16.260 shall change or alter the present authority of certain public utility districts as regards sewage systems and as provided in RCW 54.16.180 .
RCW 54.24.080 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 24 / Section 080
RCW 54.24.080: Rates and charges—Waiver of connection charges for low-income persons.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission of each district which shall have revenue obligations outstanding shall have the power and shall be required to establish, maintain, and collect rates or charges for electric energy and water and other services, facilities, and commodities sold, furnished, or supplied by the district. The rates and charges shall be fair and, except as authorized by RCW 74.38.070 and by subsections (2) and (3) of this section, nondiscriminatory, and shall be adequate to provide revenues sufficient for the payment of the principal of and interest on such revenue obligations for which the payment has not otherwise been provided and all payments which the district is obligated to set aside in any special fund or funds created for such purpose, and for the proper operation and maintenance of the public utility and all necessary repairs, replacements, and renewals thereof. (2) The commission of a district may waive connection charges for properties purchased by low-income persons from organizations exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code as amended prior to the July 23, 1995. Waivers of connection charges for the same class of electric or gas utility service must be uniformly applied to all qualified property. Nothing in this subsection (2) authorizes the impairment of a contract. (3) In establishing rates or charges for water service, commissioners may in their discretion consider the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful water use practices.
RCW 54.28.050 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 050
RCW 54.28.050: Distribution of tax.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer, after placing thirty-seven and six-tenths percent of the taxes collected under RCW 54.28.020 (1) in the state general fund to be dedicated for the benefit of the public schools, to distribute the balance collected under RCW 54.28.020 (1)(a) to each county in proportion to the gross revenue from sales made within each county; and to distribute the balance collected under RCW 54.28.020 (1) (b) and (c) as follows: (a) If the entire generating facility, including reservoir, if any, is in a single county then all of the balance to the county where such generating facility is located; (b) If any reservoir is in more than one county, then to each county in which the reservoir or any portion thereof is located a percentage equal to the percentage determined by dividing the total cost of the generating facilities, including adjacent switching facilities, into twice the cost of land and land rights acquired for any reservoir within each county, land and land rights to be defined the same as used by the federal energy regulatory commission; (c) If the powerhouse and dam, if any, in connection with such reservoir are in more than one county, the balance must be divided sixty percent to the county in which the owning district is located and forty percent to the other county or counties or if the powerhouse and dam, if any, are owned by a joint operating agency organized under chapter 43.52 RCW, or by more than one district or are outside the county of the owning district, then to be divided equally between the counties in which such facilities are located. If all of the powerhouse and dam, if any, are in one county, then the balance must be distributed to the county in which the facilities are located. (2) The department of revenue must instruct the state treasurer to adjust distributions under this section, in whole or in part, to account for each county's proportionate share of amounts previously distributed under this section and subsequently refunded to a public utility district under RCW 82.32.060 . (3) The provisions of this section do not apply to the distribution of taxes collected under RCW 54.28.025 .
RCW 54.04.080 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 080
RCW 54.04.080: Bids—Deposit—Low bidder claiming error—Contract—Bond—Definitions.
Status: in_force

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Any notice inviting sealed bids shall state generally the work to be done, or the material to be purchased and shall call for proposals for furnishing it, to be sealed and filed with the commission on or before the time named therein. Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified or cashier's check, payable to the order of the commission, for a sum not less than five percent of the amount of the bid, or accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than five percent of the bid with a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state, conditioned that the bidder will pay the district as liquidated damages the amount specified in the bond unless he or she enters into a contract in accordance with his or her bid and furnishes the performance bond within ten days from the date on which he or she is notified that he or she is the successful bidder. A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project. At the time and place named, the bids shall be publicly opened and read, and the commission shall canvass the bids, and may let the contract to the lowest responsible bidder upon the plans and specifications on file, or to the best bidder submitting his or her own plans or specifications; or if the contract to be let is to construct or improve electrical facilities, the contract may be let to the lowest bidder prequalified according to the provisions of RCW 54.04.085 upon the plans and specifications on file, or to the best bidder submitting his or her own plans and specifications: PROVIDED, That no contract shall be let for more than fifteen percent in excess of the estimated cost of the materials or work. The commission may reject all bids and readvertise, and in such case all checks shall be returned to the bidders. The commission may procure materials in the open market, have its own personnel perform the work or negotiate a contract for such work to be performed by others, in lieu of readvertising, if it receives no bid. If the contract is let, all checks shall be returned to the bidders, except that of the successful bidder, which shall be retained until a contract is entered into and a bond to perform the work furnished, with sureties satisfactory to the commission, in an amount to be fixed by the commission, not less than twenty-five percent of the contract price, in accordance with the bid. If the bidder fails to enter into the contract and furnish the bond within ten days from the date at which he or she is notified that he or her [she] is the successful bidder, his or her check and the amount thereof shall be forfeited to the district. The commission shall, by resolution, define the term "same kind of materials, equipment, and supplies" with respect to purchase of items under the provisions of RCW 54.04.070 . The term "construction or improvement of any electrical facility" as used in this section and in RCW 54.04.085 , shall mean the construction, the moving, maintenance, modification, or enlargement of facilities primarily used or to be used for the transmission or distribution of electricity at voltages above seven hundred fifty volts, including structures directly supporting transmission or distribution conductors but not including site preparation, housing, or protective fencing associated with but not included in a contract for such construction, moving, modification, maintenance, or enlargement of such facilities. The commission shall be the final authority with regard to whether a bid is responsive to the call for bids and as to whether a bidder is a responsible bidder under the conditions of his or her bid. No award of contract shall be invalidated solely because of the failure of any prospective bidder to receive an invitation to bid.
RCW 54.04.092 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 092
RCW 54.04.092: Application of RCW 54.04.070 through 54.04.090 to certain service provider agreements under chapter 70A.140 RCW.
Status: in_force

RCW 54.04.070 through 54.04.090 shall not apply to agreements entered into under authority of chapter 70A.140 RCW provided there is compliance with the procurement procedure under RCW 70A.140.040 .
RCW 54.04.090 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 090
RCW 54.04.090: Minimum wages.
Status: in_force

Each contractor and subcontractor performing work for a public utility district or a local utility district within a public utility district shall pay or cause to be paid to its employees on the work or under the contract or subcontract, not less than the minimum scale fixed by the resolution of the commission prior to the notice and call for bids on the work. The commission, in fixing the minimum scale of wages, shall fix them as nearly as possible to the current prevailing wages within the district for work of like character.
RCW 54.16.110 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 110
RCW 54.16.110: May sue and be sued—Claims.
Status: in_force

A district may sue in any court of competent jurisdiction, and may be sued in the county in which its principal office is located or in which it owns or operates facilities. No suit for damages shall be maintained against a district except on a claim filed with the district complying in all respects with the terms and requirements for claims for damages set forth in chapter 4.96 RCW.
RCW 54.40.020 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 40 / Section 020
RCW 54.40.020: Existing districts—Qualifications—Voters' approval.
Status: in_force

Every public utility district which on September 21, 1977, shall be in existence and have such a license shall be qualified to become a five commissioner district upon approval of the voters of said district, and every public utility district which on September 21, 1977, shall have become a first-class district as previously provided by chapter 265, Laws of 1959 shall be a five commissioner district.
RCW 54.28.020 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 020
RCW 54.28.020: Tax imposed—Rates—Additional tax imposed.
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby levied and there shall be collected from every district a tax for the act or privilege of engaging within this state in the business of operating works, plants or facilities for the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy. With respect to each such district, except with respect to thermal electric generating facilities taxed under RCW 54.28.025 , such tax shall be the sum of the following amounts: (a) Two percent of the gross revenues derived by the district from the sale of all electric energy which it distributes to consumers who are served by a distribution system owned by the district; (b) five percent of the first four mills per kilowatt-hour of wholesale value of self-generated energy distributed to consumers by a district; (c) five percent of the first four mills per kilowatt-hour of revenue obtained by the district from the sale of self-generated energy for resale. (2) An additional tax is imposed equal to the rate specified in RCW 82.02.030 multiplied by the tax payable under subsection (1) of this section.
RCW 54.16.440 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 440
RCW 54.16.440: Thermal energy networks.
Status: in_force

A public utility district formed under this title may own, operate, or manage any thermal energy network, as defined in RCW 80.04.010 , within this state. If a public utility district intends to deploy a thermal energy network, the public utility district must submit the project for review and approval to its governing body.
RCW 54.48.030 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 48 / Section 030
RCW 54.48.030: Agreements between public utilities and cooperatives authorized—Boundaries—Extension procedures—Purchase or sale—Approval.
Status: in_force

In aid of the foregoing declaration of policy, any public utility and any cooperative is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with any one or more other public utility or one or more other cooperative for the designation of the boundaries of adjoining service areas which each such public utility or each such cooperative shall observe, for the establishment of procedures for orderly extension of service in adjoining areas not currently served by any such public utility or any such cooperative and for the acquisition or disposal by purchase or sale by any such public utility or any such cooperative of duplicating utility facilities, which agreements shall be for a reasonable period of time not in excess of twenty-five years: PROVIDED, That the participation in such agreement of any public utility which is an electrical company under RCW 80.04.010 , excepting cities and towns, shall be approved by the Washington utilities and transportation commission.
RCW 54.28.090 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 090
RCW 54.28.090: Deposit of funds to credit of certain taxing districts—Retention and distribution of tax proceeds for county with district owned by another county.
Status: in_force

(1) The county legislative authority of each county must direct the county treasurer to deposit funds to the credit of each taxing district in the county, other than school districts, according to the manner they deem most equitable; except not less than an amount equal to three-fourths of one percent of the gross revenues obtained by a district from the sale of electric energy within any incorporated city or town must be remitted to such city or town. Information furnished by the district to the county legislative authority must be the basis for the determination of the amount to be paid to such cities or towns under this subsection. (2) In the event that a county receives tax proceeds under RCW 54.28.050 because a public utility district operated by another county owns fee title to property in a city or town in the county that receives such tax proceeds, and that city or town adjoins a reservoir on the Columbia river wholly or partially created by such district's hydroelectric facility which began commercial power generation in 1967, but the district has no sales of electrical energy in that city or town, the county may retain seventy percent of such tax proceeds. The county must remit the remainder of the tax proceeds to the city or town in which the district owns fee title to property but has no sales of electrical energy. If the district owns fee title to property in more than one city or town in the county receiving such tax proceeds, and has no sales of electrical energy in those cities or towns, the remainder of the tax must be divided evenly among all such cities and towns. (3) The provisions of this section do not apply to the distribution of taxes collected under RCW 54.28.025 .
RCW 54.36.030 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 36 / Section 030
RCW 54.36.030: Compensation of school district for construction pupils—Computation.
Status: in_force

If the subsequent-year enrollment exceeds one hundred and three percent of the base-year enrollment, the public utility district shall compensate the school district for a number of construction pupils computed as follows: (1) If the subsequent-year enrollment of nonconstruction pupils is less than the base-year enrollment, compensation shall be paid for the total number of all pupils minus one hundred and three percent of the base-year enrollment. (2) If the subsequent-year enrollment of nonconstruction pupils is not less than the base-year enrollment, compensation shall be paid for the total number of construction pupils minus three percent of the base-year enrollment.
RCW 54.44.060 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 44 / Section 060
RCW 54.44.060: Agreements to conform to applicable laws.
Status: in_force

Any agreement with respect to work to be done or material furnished by any such city, public utility district, or joint operating agency in connection with the construction, maintenance and operation of the common facilities, and any additions and betterments thereto shall be in conformity, as near as may be, with applicable laws now or hereafter in effect relating to public utility districts or cities of the first class.
RCW 54.24.100 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 24 / Section 100
RCW 54.24.100: Execution of revenue obligations—Signatures.
Status: in_force

(1) All revenue obligations, including funding and refunding revenue obligations, shall be executed in such manner as the commission may determine: PROVIDED, That warrants may be signed as provided in RCW 54.24.010 . Any interest coupons attached to any revenue obligations may be executed with facsimile or lithographed signatures, or otherwise, as the commission may determine. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, such obligations may be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.
RCW 54.04.100 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 100
RCW 54.04.100: Wholesale power—Procedure as to rate filing—Definition—Duty to furnish to district.
Status: in_force

Whenever a decree of public use and necessity heretofore has been or hereafter shall be entered in condemnation proceedings conducted by a public utility district for the acquisition of electrical distribution properties, or whenever it has executed a contract for the purchase of such properties, the district may cause to be filed with the utilities and transportation commission a copy of such contract or a certified copy of the decree, together with a petition requesting that the commission cause a rate to be filed with it for the sale of wholesale power to the district. Thereupon the utilities and transportation commission shall order that a rate be filed with the commission forthwith for the sale of wholesale power to such district. The term "wholesale power" means electric energy sold for purposes of resale. The commission shall have authority to enter such order as to any public service corporation which owns or operates the electrical distribution properties being condemned or purchased or as to any such corporation which owns or operates transmission facilities within a reasonable distance of such distribution properties and which engages in the business of selling wholesale power, pursuant to contract or otherwise. The rate filed shall be for the period of service specified by the district, or if the district does not specify a particular period, such rate shall apply from the commencement of service until the district terminates same by thirty days' written notice. Upon reasonable notice, any such public service corporation shall furnish wholesale power to any public utility district owning or operating electrical distribution properties. Whenever a public service corporation shall furnish wholesale power to a district and the charge or rate therefor is reviewed by the commission, such reasonable rate as the commission finally may fix shall apply as to power thereafter furnished and as to that previously furnished under such charge or rate from the time that the complaint concerning the same shall have been filed by the commission or the district, as the case may be.
RCW 54.28.040 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 040
RCW 54.28.040: Tax computed—Payment—Penalties—Disposition.
Status: in_force

(1) Before May 1st of each calendar year through calendar year 2018, the department of revenue must compute the tax imposed by this chapter for the last preceding calendar year and notify the district of the amount thereof, which shall be payable on or before the following June 1st. (2) For tax reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, taxpayers must report the taxes due under RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 on returns as prescribed by the department of revenue. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (2), taxes imposed in RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 are due for a taxpayer at the same time as the taxpayer's payment of taxes imposed under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW. The department of revenue may allow taxpayers to report and pay the taxes due under RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 on an annual basis, even if they report taxes imposed under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW more frequently than annually. In such cases, the taxes imposed in RCW 54.28.020 and 54.28.025 are due on or before February 25th of the year immediately following the end of the year for which the taxes are being reported and paid. (3) The department of revenue may require persons to report such information as needed by the department to administer this chapter. (4)(a) Upon receipt of the amount of each tax imposed the department of revenue shall deposit the same with the state treasurer, who must deposit four percent of the revenues received under RCW 54.28.020 (1) and 54.28.025 (1) and all revenues received under RCW 54.28.020 (2) and 54.28.025 (2) in the general fund of the state and must distribute the remainder in the manner hereinafter set forth. The state treasurer must send a duplicate copy of each transmittal to the department of revenue. (b) The state treasurer must distribute the taxes collected by the department under this chapter monthly at the same time distributions of local sales and use taxes are made in accordance with chapter 82.14 RCW.
RCW 54.04.040 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 040
RCW 54.04.040: Utilities within a city or town—Restrictions.
Status: in_force

A district shall not construct any property to be utilized by it in the operation of a plant or system for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy for sale, on the streets, alleys, or public places within a city or town without the consent of the governing body of the city or town and approval of the plan and location of the construction, which shall be made under such reasonable terms as the city or town may impose. All such properties shall be maintained and operated subject to such regulations as the city or town may prescribe under its police power.
RCW 54.04.010 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 010
RCW 54.04.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this title "revenue obligation" or "revenue obligations" mean and include bonds, notes, warrants, certificates of indebtedness, or any other evidences of indebtedness issued by a district which, by the terms thereof, shall be payable from the revenues of its public utilities.
RCW 54.08.001 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 08 / Section 001
RCW 54.08.001: Actions subject to review by boundary review board.
Status: in_force

Actions taken under chapter 54.08 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
RCW 54.16.415 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 415
RCW 54.16.415: Retail telecommunications services—Reporting requirements.
Status: in_force

(1) Before providing retail telecommunications services, a public utility district must report to its governing body and to the state broadband office the following about the area to be served by the public utility district: (a) An assessment of the current availability of broadband infrastructure and its adequacy to provide high-speed internet access and other advanced telecommunications services to end users; (b) The location of where retail telecommunications services will be provided; (c) Evidence relating to the unserved nature of the community in which retail telecommunications services will be provided; (d) Expected costs of providing retail telecommunications services to customers to be served by the public utility district; (e) Evidence that proposed telecommunications infrastructure will be capable of scaling to greater download and upload speeds to meet state broadband goals under RCW 43.330.536 ; (f) Sources of funding for the project that will supplement any grant or loan awards; and (g) A strategic plan to maintain long-term operation of the infrastructure, and the expected installation charges and monthly costs for end users. (2) The state broadband office must post a review of the proposed project on their website. (3) For the purposes of this section, "unserved" means an area of Washington in which households and businesses lack access to broadband service at a minimum 100 megabits per second download speed and at a minimum 20 megabits per second upload speed.
RCW 54.28.070 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 070
RCW 54.28.070: Municipal taxes—May be passed on.
Status: in_force

Any city or town in which a public utility district operates works, plants or facilities for the distribution and sale of electricity shall have the power to levy and collect from such district a tax on the gross revenues derived by such district from the sale of electricity within the city or town, exclusive of the revenues derived from the sale of electricity for purposes of resale. Such tax when levied shall be a debt of the district, and may be collected as such. Any such district shall have the power to add the amount of such tax to the rates or charges it makes for electricity so sold within the limits of such city or town.
RCW 54.04.085 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 085
RCW 54.04.085: Electrical facility construction or improvement—Bid proposals—Contract proposal forms—Conditions for issuance—Appeals.
Status: in_force

A district shall require that bid proposals upon any construction or improvement of any electrical facility shall be made upon contract proposal form supplied by the district commission, and in no other manner. The district commission shall, before furnishing any person, firm or corporation desiring to bid upon any electrical work with a contract proposal form, require from such person, firm or corporation, answers to questions contained in a standard form of questionnaire and financial statement, including a complete statement of the financial ability and experience of such person, firm, or corporation in performing electrical work. Such questionnaire shall be sworn to before a notary public or other person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, and shall be submitted once a year and at such other times as the district commission may require. Whenever the district commission is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the answers contained in such questionnaire and financial statement or whenever the district commission determines that such person, firm, or corporation does not meet all of the requirements hereinafter set forth it may refuse to furnish such person, firm or corporation with a contract proposal form and any bid proposal of such person, firm or corporation must be disregarded. In order to obtain a contract proposal form, a person, firm or corporation shall have all of the following requirements: (1) Adequate financial resources, or the ability to secure such resources; (2) The necessary experience, organization, and technical qualifications to perform the proposed contract; (3) The ability to comply with the required performance schedule taking into consideration all of its existing business commitments; (4) A satisfactory record of performance, integrity, judgment and skills; and (5) Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations. Such refusal shall be conclusive unless appeal therefrom to the superior court of the county where the utility district is situated or Thurston county be taken within fifteen days, which appeal shall be heard summarily within ten days after the same is taken and on five days' notice thereof to the district commission.
RCW 54.16.260 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 260
RCW 54.16.260: Sewage system works—Accounts and funding.
Status: in_force

Accounts and funding for any sewage system or systems shall be kept as provided in RCW 43.09.210 .
RCW 54.44.050 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 44 / Section 050
RCW 54.44.050: Depositories—Disbursement of funds.
Status: in_force

All moneys belonging to cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies in connection with common facilities shall be deposited in such depositories as qualify for the deposit of public funds and shall be accounted for and disbursed in accordance with applicable law.
RCW 54.08.080 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 08 / Section 080
RCW 54.08.080: Dissolution.
Status: in_force

Any district now or hereafter created under the laws of this state may be dissolved, as hereinafter provided, by a majority vote of the qualified electors of such district at any general election upon a resolution of the district commission, or upon petition being filed and such proposition for dissolution submitted to said electors in the same manner provided by chapter 54.08 RCW for the creation of public utility districts. The returns of the election on such proposition for dissolution shall be canvassed and the results declared in the same manner as is provided by RCW 54.08.010 : PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any such proposition to dissolve a district shall not be submitted to the electors if within five years prior to the filing of such petition or resolution such district has undertaken any material studies or material action relating to the construction or acquisition of any utility properties or if such district at the time of the submission of such proposition is actually engaged in the operation of any utility properties. If a majority of the votes cast at the election favor dissolution, the commission of the district shall petition, without any filing fee, the superior court of the county in which such district is located for an order authorizing the payment of all indebtedness of the district and directing the transfer of any surplus funds or property to the general fund of the county in which such district is organized.
RCW 54.12.100 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 12 / Section 100
RCW 54.12.100: Oath or affirmation.
Status: in_force

Each commissioner before he or she enters upon the duties of his or her office shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he or she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office to the best of his or her ability. This oath, or affirmation, shall be administered and certified by an officer of the county in which the district is situated, who is authorized to administer oaths, without charge therefor. The oath or affirmation shall be filed with the county auditor.
RCW 54.16.281 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 281
RCW 54.16.281: Energy conservation—Utility cool roof program—Tree planting program.
Status: in_force

The legislature encourages any public utility district to assist their customers in the acquisition and installation of materials and equipment, for compensation or otherwise, for the conservation or more efficient use of energy including, but not limited to, materials and equipment installed as part of a utility cool roof program. The use of appropriate tree plantings for energy conservation is highly encouraged as part of these programs. It is the policy of the state of Washington that any tree planting program engaged in by a public utility district where energy reduction is a goal as part of a broader energy conservation program under this chapter should accomplish the following: (1) Reduce the peak-load demand for electricity in residential and commercial business areas during the summer months through direct shading of buildings provided by strategically planted trees; (2) Reduce wintertime demand for energy in residential areas by blocking cold winds from reaching homes, which lowers interior temperatures and drives heating demand; (3) Protect public health by removing harmful pollution from the air and prioritize in communities with environmental health disparities; (4) Utilize the natural photosynthetic and transpiration process of trees to lower ambient temperatures and absorb carbon dioxide; (5) Lower electric bills for residential and commercial business ratepayers by limiting electricity consumption without reducing benefits; (6) Relieve financial and demand pressure on the utility that stems from large peak-load electricity demand; (7) Protect water quality and public health by reducing and cooling stormwater runoff and keeping harmful pollutants from entering waterways, with special attention given to waterways vital for the preservation of threatened and endangered salmon; (8) Ensure that trees are planted in locations that limit the amount of public funding needed to maintain public and electric infrastructure; (9) Measure program performance in terms of the estimated present value benefit per tree planted and equitable and accessible community engagement consistent with the department of health's environmental health disparities map recommendations 12 and 13, and with the community engagement plan guidance appendix C of the final report of the environmental justice task force established under chapter 415, Laws of 2019; (10) Give special consideration to achieving environmental justice in goals and policies, avoid creating or worsening environmental health disparities, and make use of the department of health's environmental health disparities map to help guide engagement and actions; and (11) Coordinate with the department of natural resources urban and community forestry program's efforts to identify areas of need related to urban tree canopy and to provide technical assistance and capacity building to encourage urban tree canopy.
RCW 54.16.070 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 070
RCW 54.16.070: District may borrow money, contract indebtedness, issue bonds or obligations—Guaranty fund.
Status: in_force

(1) A district may contract indebtedness or borrow money for any corporate purpose on its credit or on the revenues of its public utilities, and to evidence such indebtedness may issue general obligation bonds or revenue obligations; may issue and sell local utility district bonds of districts created by the commission, and may purchase with surplus funds such local utility district bonds, and may create a guaranty fund to insure prompt payment of all local utility district bonds. The general obligation bonds shall be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW. A district is authorized to establish lines of credit or make other prearranged agreements, or both, to borrow money with any financial institution. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, such revenue obligations and local utility district bonds may be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.
RCW 54.16.035 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 035
RCW 54.16.035: Provision of water service beyond district subject to review by boundary review board.
Status: in_force

The provision of water service beyond the boundaries of a public utility district may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
RCW 54.32.040 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 32 / Section 040
RCW 54.32.040: Right of countywide utility district to acquire distribution properties.
Status: in_force

Upon the formation of a countywide public utility district in any county such district shall have the right, in addition to any other right provided by law, to acquire by purchase or condemnation any electrical distribution properties in the county from any other public utility district or combination of public utility districts for a period of five years from the time of organization of said public utility district.
RCW 54.12.090 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 12 / Section 090
RCW 54.12.090: President—Secretary—Rules—Seal—Minutes.
Status: in_force

The commission shall elect from its members, a president and secretary, and shall, by resolution, adopt rules governing the transaction of district business, and adopt an official seal. All proceedings of the commission shall be by motion or resolution, recorded in its minute books, which shall be public records. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the commission for the transaction of business. The concurrence of a majority of the whole commission in office at the time shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution, and no business shall be transacted, except in usual and ordinary course, unless there are in office at least a majority of the full number of commissioners as fixed by law. The commission may create and fill such positions and fix salaries and bonds thereof as it may provide by resolution.
RCW 54.24.012 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 24 / Section 012
RCW 54.24.012: Destruction of canceled or paid revenue obligations and interest coupons.
Status: in_force

After any revenue obligations or interest coupons have been canceled or paid they may be destroyed as directed by the district, any provisions of chapter 40.14 RCW notwithstanding: PROVIDED, That a certificate of destruction giving full descriptive reference to the documents destroyed shall be made by the person or persons authorized to perform such destruction and one copy of the certificate shall be filed with the treasurer of the district.
RCW 54.28.120 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 120
RCW 54.28.120: Amount of tax if district acquires electric utility property from public service company.
Status: in_force

In the event any district hereafter purchases or otherwise acquires electric utility properties comprising all or a portion of an electric generation and/or distribution system from a public service company, as defined in RCW 80.04.010 , the total amount of privilege taxes imposed under chapter 278, Laws of 1957 to be paid by the district annually on the combined operating property within each county where such utility property is located, irrespective of any other basis of levy contained in this chapter, will be not less than the combined total of the ad valorem taxes, based on regular levies, last levied against the electric utility property constituting the system so purchased or acquired plus the taxes paid by the district for the same year on the revenues of other operating property in the same county under terms of this chapter. If all or any portion of the property so acquired is subsequently sold, or if rates charged to purchasers of electric energy are reduced, the amount of privilege tax required under this section shall be proportionately reduced.
RCW 54.16.100 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 100
RCW 54.16.100: Manager—Appointment—Compensation—Duties.
Status: in_force

The commission, by resolution introduced at a regular meeting and adopted at a subsequent regular meeting, shall appoint and may remove at will a district manager, and shall, by resolution, fix his or her compensation. The manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the district, in control of all administrative functions and shall be responsible to the commission for the efficient administration of the affairs of the district placed in his or her charge. The manager shall be an experienced executive with administrative ability. In the absence or temporary disability of the manager, the manager shall, with the approval of the president of the commission, designate some competent person as acting manager. The manager may attend all meetings of the commission and its committees, and take part in the discussion of any matters pertaining to the duties of his or her department, but shall have no vote. The manager shall carry out the orders of the commission, and see that the laws pertaining to matters within the functions of his or her department are enforced; keep the commission fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the districts; prepare an annual estimate for the ensuing fiscal year of the probable expenses of the department, and recommend to the commission what development work should be undertaken, and what extensions and additions, if any, should be made during the ensuing fiscal year, with an estimate of the costs of the development work, extensions, and additions; certify to the commission all bills, allowances, and payrolls, including claims due contractors of public works; recommend to the commission compensation of the employees of his or her office, and a scale of compensation to be paid for the different classes of service required by the district; hire and discharge employees under his or her direction; and perform such other duties as may be imposed upon the manager by resolution of the commission. It is unlawful for the manager to make any contribution of money in aid of or in opposition to the election of any candidate for public utility commissioner or to advocate or oppose any such election.
RCW 54.16.190 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 190
RCW 54.16.190: General resolutions.
Status: in_force

The commission of a district may adopt general resolutions to carry out the purposes, objects, and provisions of this title.
RCW 54.28.140 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 28 / Section 140
RCW 54.28.140: Tax preferences—Expiration dates.
Status: in_force

(1) See RCW 82.32.805 for the expiration date of new tax preferences for the tax imposed under this chapter. (2) See RCW 82.32.808 for reporting requirements for any new tax preference for the tax imposed under this chapter.
RCW 54.12.110 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 12 / Section 110
RCW 54.12.110: Electrical utilities—Civil immunity of commissioners and employees for good faith mistakes and errors of judgment.
Status: in_force

Commissioners and employees of public utility districts shall be immune from civil liability for mistakes and errors of judgment in the good faith performance of acts within the scope of their official duties involving the exercise of judgment and discretion which relate solely to their responsibilities for electrical utilities. This grant of immunity shall not be construed as modifying the liability of the public utility district.
RCW 54.16.370 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 370
RCW 54.16.370: Purchase of electric power and energy from joint operating agency.
Status: in_force

A district may contract to purchase from a joint operating agency electric power and energy required for its present or future requirements. For projects the output of which is limited to qualified alternative energy resources as defined by RCW 19.29A.090 (3), the contract may include the purchase of capability of the projects to produce electricity in addition to the actual output of the projects. The contract may provide that the district must make the payments required by the contract whether or not a project is completed, operable, or operating and notwithstanding the suspension, interruption, interference, reduction, or curtailment of the output of a project or the power and energy contracted for. The contract may also provide that payments under the contract are not subject to reduction, whether by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance of the joint operating agency or a city, town, or district under the contract or other instrument.
RCW 54.04.050 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 04 / Section 050
RCW 54.04.050: Group employee insurance—Deferred compensation plans—Supplemental savings plans.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to chapter 48.62 RCW, any public utility district engaged in the operation of electric or water utilities may enter into contracts of group insurance for the benefit of its employees, and pay all or any part of the premiums for such insurance. Such premiums shall be paid out of the revenues derived from the operation of such properties: PROVIDED, That if the premium is to be paid by the district and employees jointly, and the benefits of the policy are offered to all eligible employees, not less than seventy-five percent of such employees may be so insured. (2) A public utility district engaged in the operation of electric or water utilities may establish and maintain for the benefit of its eligible employees and officials any plan of deferred compensation or supplemental savings plan for retirement, and make contributions or pay benefits thereunder out of the revenue derived from the operation of its properties. For purposes of this section, "contributions" includes contributions on behalf of an eligible employee equal to the amount by which the employee agrees to a reduction in salary or wages and also includes contributions made by the public utility district separate from amounts otherwise intended as salary or wages. Coverage of an employee under a plan under this section does not render the employee or official ineligible for simultaneous membership and participation in any pension system for public employees. (3) Contributions must be deposited in designated accounts, held in trust, or remitted to an insurer. When deposited to an account or held in trust, the account or trust fund is considered a public retirement fund within the meaning of Article XXIX, section 1 of the state Constitution, for the purpose of determining eligible investments and deposits of money into the account or trust. (4) Contributions may be deposited or invested in a credit union, savings and loan association, bank, mutual savings bank, purchase life insurance, shares of an investment company, or fixed or variable annuity contracts from any insurance company or any investment company licensed to contract business in this state. To the extent a plan is an individual account plan, participants in the plan may be permitted to self-direct the investment of assets allocated to their account through the selection of investment options authorized under the plan, and an employee, official, or commissioner of the district is not liable for any loss or deficiency resulting from participant investments. An "individual account plan" is a plan that provides for an individual account for each participant and for benefits based upon the amount contributed to the participant's account, and any income, expenses, gains and losses, and any forfeitures of accounts or other participants which may be allocated to that participant's account.
RCW 54.16.280 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 280
RCW 54.16.280: Energy conservation plan—Financing authorized for energy conservation projects in structures or equipment—Limitations.
Status: in_force

Any district is hereby authorized, within limits established by the Constitution of the state of Washington, to assist the owners of structures or equipment in financing the acquisition and installation of materials and equipment, for compensation or otherwise, for the conservation or more efficient use of energy in such structures or equipment pursuant to an energy conservation plan adopted by the district if the cost per unit of energy saved or produced by the use of such materials and equipment is less than the cost per unit of energy produced by the next least costly new energy resource which the district could acquire to meet future demand. Any financing authorized under this chapter shall only be used for conservation purposes in existing structures, and such financing shall not be used for any purpose which results in a conversion from one energy source to another. For the purposes of this section, "conservation purposes in existing structures" may include projects to allow a district's customers to generate all or a portion of their own electricity through the on-site installation of a distributed electricity generation system that uses as its fuel solar, wind, geothermal, or hydropower, or other renewable resource that is available on-site and not from a commercial source. Such projects shall not be considered "a conversion from one energy source to another" which is limited to the change or substitution of one commercial energy supplier for another commercial energy supplier. Except where otherwise authorized, such assistance shall be limited to: (1) Providing an inspection of the structure or equipment, either directly or through one or more inspectors under contract, to determine and inform the owner of the estimated cost of purchasing and installing conservation materials and equipment for which financial assistance will be approved and the estimated life-cycle savings in energy costs that are likely to result from the installation of such materials or equipment; (2) Providing a list of businesses who sell and install such materials and equipment within or in close proximity to the service area of the district, each of which businesses shall have requested to be included and shall have the ability to provide the products in a workmanlike manner and to utilize such materials in accordance with the prevailing national standard; (3) Arranging to have approved conservation materials and equipment installed by a private contractor whose bid is acceptable to the owner of the residential structure and verifying such installation; (4) Arranging or providing financing for the purchase and installation of approved conservation materials and equipment. Such materials and equipment shall be purchased from a private business and shall be installed by a private business or the owner; and (5) Pay back shall be in the form of incremental additions to the utility bill, billed either together with use charge or separately. Loans shall not exceed two hundred forty months in length.
RCW 54.16.010 — Washington Code / Title 54 / Chapter 16 / Section 010
RCW 54.16.010: Surveys, plans, investigations, or studies.
Status: in_force

A district may make surveys, plans, investigations or studies for generating electric energy by water power, steam, or other methods, and for systems and facilities for the generation, transmission or distribution thereof, and for domestic and industrial water supply and irrigation, and for matters and purposes reasonably incidental thereto, within or without the district, and compile comprehensive maps and plans showing the territory that can be most economically served by the various resources and utilities, the natural order in which they should be developed, and how they may be joined and coordinated to make a complete and systematic whole.