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HB 914

Commissioner of Labor; ensure certain employees receive comparable pay for comparable work in jobs which require comparable skill, effort, and responsibility; authorize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Campbell and 3 co-sponsors

Bill HB 914 allows water carriers to adjust tariffs automatically based on inflation, ensuring financial stability while impacting consumer costs for water transportation.

House First Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 914

Summary of Bill HB 914: Relating to Water Carriers

Purpose and Intent

Bill HB 914 aims to establish an Automatic Adjustment Mechanism for water carriers, which will allow for timely and systematic adjustments to tariffs based on inflationary costs. This mechanism is intended to ensure that water carriers can maintain financial viability while providing essential services to the public.

Key Provisions

  • Automatic Adjustment Mechanism: The bill proposes a framework that enables water carriers to adjust their rates automatically in response to changes in an established Water Carrier Inflationary Cost Index. This index will reflect the costs associated with providing water transportation services.

  • Rate Adjustments: The bill outlines the process by which water carriers can petition the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for rate adjustments based on the inflationary index. This aims to streamline the rate-setting process and reduce delays in adjusting tariffs to reflect current economic conditions.

  • Tariff Changes: The bill will facilitate changes to existing tariffs, ensuring they are aligned with the operational costs faced by water carriers, thereby promoting sustainability in the industry.

Affected Parties

  • Water Carriers: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are water carriers, who will gain a more predictable and responsive mechanism for adjusting their rates.

  • Consumers: While the bill is designed to help water carriers maintain service levels, consumers may experience changes in water transportation costs as tariffs are adjusted in response to inflation.

  • Public Utilities Commission (PUC): The PUC will play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of the automatic adjustment mechanism and ensuring compliance with the new provisions.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • First Reading: January 23, 2025
  • Committee Hearings:
    • Transportation Committee (TRN): Recommended passage with amendments on February 4, 2025.
    • Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee (CPC): Recommended passage with amendments on February 11, 2025.
  • Current Status: Reported from CPC as amended in HD 2 on February 14, 2025, and referred to the Finance Committee (FIN).

Related Legislation

  • SB 21: This bill has a companion in the Senate, indicating parallel legislative efforts to address similar issues regarding water carriers.

Conclusion

Bill HB 914 represents a significant step towards modernizing the regulatory framework for water carriers, ensuring they can adapt to economic changes while continuing to provide essential services. The proposed automatic adjustment mechanism is designed to enhance the financial stability of these carriers and improve the efficiency of tariff adjustments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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