WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2SHB 1906

HB 1906: Water system rates

Increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates.

Summary

  • Requires the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to adopt certain rules for determining rates of water companies.
  • Prohibits the UTC from approving any transaction that changes the controlling interest in a water company unless the transaction provides net benefits to customers of the company and the company has complied with specified requirements.
  • Requires public water systems to provide notice of changes of ownership to specified entities.
  • Allows a water company to file a multiyear rate plan with the UTC and specifies certain requirements for the multiyear plan.

From the Second Substitute House Bill Report (2SHB 1906), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 237, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedFeb 10, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 9, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 16, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 3, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 28, 2026
  6. LawMar 28, 2026
Prime sponsor
Steve Tharinger (D-24)
Introduced
February 10, 2025 in the House
Last action
March 28, 2026
Session law
Chapter 237, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1906, SHB 1906, 2SHB 1906

AN ACT Relating to increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Steve Tharinger (D-24)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Clyde Shavers D-10Lisa Parshley D-22Natasha Hill D-3

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2026
Version voted on: 2SHB 1906
91 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 6 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56003
Republican35103
How each member voted

Yea (91)

Nay (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 3, 2026
Version voted on: 2SHB 1906
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 11, 2026
Version voted on: 2SHB 1906
94 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat59000
Republican35202
How each member voted

Yea (94)

Nay (2)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (2SHB 1906)
  2. Chapter 237, 2026 Laws. (2SHB 1906)
  3. Governor signed. (2SHB 1906)
  4. President signed. (2SHB 1906)
  5. Delivered to Governor. (2SHB 1906)
  6. Speaker signed. (2SHB 1906)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2. (2SHB 1906)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (2SHB 1906)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2SHB 1906)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SHB 1906)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (2SHB 1906)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (2SHB 1906)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (2SHB 1906)
  14. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (2SHB 1906)
  15. Referred to Ways & Means. (2SHB 1906)
  16. And refer to Ways & Means. (2SHB 1906)
  17. ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (2SHB 1906)
  18. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. (2SHB 1906)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 91; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 6. (2SHB 1906)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SHB 1906)
  21. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (2SHB 1906)
  22. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (SHB 1906)
  23. 2nd substitute bill substituted.
  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (2SHB 1906)
  25. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 1906)
  26. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  27. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (2SHB 1906)
  28. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (2SHB 1906)
  29. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 1906)
  30. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1906)
  31. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (SHB 1906)
  32. APP - Executive action taken by committee.
  33. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  34. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  35. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SHB 1906)
  36. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  37. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1906)
  38. Referred to Appropriations.
  39. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1906)
  40. ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.
  41. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  42. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

HB 1906 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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