Legislation

2005

Federal Legislation

For information on federal legislation and other energy-related activities in Washington, D.C., please see the web site of Marty Kanner, PPC's Washington, D.C., Liaison. Of particular interest are a survey of existing federal energy law and a summary of current energy bills in Congress.

In addition, Marty's Comparison of Major Restructuring Proposals is a matrix which summarizes this Congressional session's major bills with respect to specific issues. The above format is adequate for on-screen browsing. A more printable copy is also available in Word.

For further information on federal legislative activity, please see Thomas, the Library of Congress Internet site.

State Legislation

Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Information about bills and links to web sites for Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington legislation are provided below.

Idaho
These and other bills of interest can be found at the 2003 Idaho Legislature web site.

HB 0002. Energy Issues Study. Appropriates $25,000 to Legislative Account for consultant to assist commission appointed to study energy-related issues.
HB 0149. By Environmental Affairs Basin Environmental Improvement Project. Amends existing law to revise duties of Board of Commissioners of Basin Project Commission.
SB 1116. By State Affairs Public Utilities. Amends existing law to provide for public hearing on rate increases prior to Public Utility Commission receiving the Commission's staff's recommendation.
SB 1121. Amends existing law relating to destruction of telecommunications lines and instruments to clarify that a violation constitutes a misdemeanor.

Montana
The 2003 Montana Legislature introduced several energy bills, and a fish and wildlife bill of interest.

Energy

HB 303. Revise definition of "facility" under major facility siting act. A chapter number has been assigned.
HB 417. Repeal of small power production facilities act. A chapter number has been assigned.
HB 443. Revise major facility siting act. A chapter number has been assigned.
HB 509. Revise laws on default supply of electricity. A chapter number has been assigned.
HB 642. Tracks certain utility expenses for ratemaking. A chapter number has been assigned.
SB 138. Revise tax laws on alternative energy and energy conservation. A chapter number has been assigned.
SB 173. Revise law on rural telecommunications carriers. A chapter number has been assigned.
SB 247. Establish default electricity supply procurement process. A chapter number has been assigned.
SB 330. Public Service Commission to take into account economic benefits of default supplier's procurement of supply. A chapter numbers has been assigned.
SB 458. Gas and electric utility ratepayer and shareholder protection. A chapter number has been assigned.

Fish & Wildlife

HB 411. Revise laws on commercial fishing activities. A chapter number has been assigned.

Oregon
These and other 2003 bills of interest can be found on the web site of the Oregon Legislature

Co-ops

HB 2333. Modifies law governing certain amounts that may be included by amortization in rates of electric utility regulated by Public Service Commission.
HB 3078. Provides choice of methods for distribution of proceeds from sale of assets during dissolution of cooperative.

Conservation

HB 3476. Exempts energy savings performance contracts from competitive bid requirements of public contracting law -- relating to energy conservation measures.

Deregulation

HB 3376. Directs PUC to set date on which electric companies must announce prices that will be charged for electricity in subsequent calendar year.
HB 3487. Allows open enrollment for direct access.
SB 0573. Provides that costs incurred by electric utility in implementing direct access regulation may be included only in rates of customers of utilities other than residential electricity consumers.

Distributed Generation

HB 3477. Allows electricity customer operating electricity generating facility with generating capacity of up to 250 kilowatts to qualify for net metering.
HB 3610. Exempts wind turbines from property taxation.
SB 0874. Exempts wind turbines from property taxation.

Energy Curtailment

HB 2228. Authorizes Governor to declare emergency and to order curtailments of use of energy resources when energy resource shortage is probable.
SB 0825. Authorizes Governor to declare abnormal disruption of market by proclamation -- relating to unconscionably excessive prices being thrust upon consumers.

Office of Energy

HB 2291. Modifies definition of energy efficient appliance for purposes of alternative energy device tax credit program to include smart energy technology devices.

Rates

HB 3096. Requires electric utility to charge school districts at lowest rate established for any class of customers.

Washington
These and other bills of interest can be found on the 2003 Washington Legislature web site.

Energy

HB 1004. Changing gas and electricity tax provisions.
HB 1005. Creating the joint task force on long-term energy supply.
HB 1703. Providing tax incentives to promote production and distribution of electricity from alternative sources of energy.

Renewable Resources

HB 1775. Establishes a joint task force to examine operational, economic and regulatory obstacles to renewable resources development.

Fish and Wildlife

HB 1469. Authorizes habitat mitigation banks.
SB 5250. Changing instream flo