2SHB 1906: Increasing transparency and consumer protection in water system rates.

What this bill does

Provides that water system plans submitted to the Department of Health must include all capital improvement projects necessary for the system for at least the next 10 years and each public water system must submit a current water system plan at least every three years. 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 notified the customers of the company and provided them with a right of first refusal to purchase the water system.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 16, 2026
  91 yea · 1 nay · 6 not voting
• House: Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 11, 2026
  94 yea · 2 nay · 2 not voting
• Senate: 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 3, 2026
  49 yea · 0 nay

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Other bills sponsored by Tharinger

• SHB 1202: Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts.
• SHB 1216: Concerning the capital budget.
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• HB 1983: Amending the definition of timberland for purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity.