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Bill

HB 1253

Expanding the ability of consumer-owned utilities to enter into joint use agreements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Doglio and 1 co-sponsor

Washington expands consumer-owned utilities' ability to share infrastructure through joint use agreements, reducing regulatory barriers and potentially lowering deployment costs.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1253

Legislative bill overview

HB 1253 expands the authority of consumer-owned utilities in Washington to enter into joint use agreements with other utilities and entities for shared infrastructure. The bill broadens the scope and flexibility of arrangements that municipally-owned and cooperative utilities can make regarding poles, conduits, and other facilities, reducing bureaucratic barriers to infrastructure sharing.

Why is this important

Shared utility infrastructure reduces redundant investments and can lower costs for consumers by avoiding duplicate pole lines and conduit systems. This is particularly relevant in rural areas where multiple utilities serve the same geographic region, and streamlined agreements can accelerate broadband deployment and infrastructure modernization while potentially reducing environmental impacts.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation disputes: Ambiguity over how maintenance, replacement, and upgrade costs are divided among joint users could create ongoing disputes between utilities
  • Rate impact uncertainty: It's unclear whether cost-sharing will result in actual rate reductions for consumers or primarily benefit utility operations
  • Private utility concerns: For-profit utilities may worry about competitive disadvantages if consumer-owned utilities gain easier cost-sharing arrangements than private competitors

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

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