SGA 9225
In CommitteeSenate
BRIAN RYBARIK
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill formally appoints Brian Rybarik as Chair of the Utilities and Transportation Commission, effective March 03, 2025, for a term ending January 01, 2031. The Chair oversees regulation of public utilities and transportation safety in Washington.
- Appoints Brian Rybarik as Chair of the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
- Sets the term length for the appointment to end on January 01, 2031
- The appointment is effective upon signing (March 03, 2025), replacing the prior chair upon transition
- The UTC Chair leads the commission in setting rules for utilities, pipelines, rail safety, and motor carrier operations
Who is affected
- Washington residents and utility customers — The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) oversees public utilities (like electricity, gas, and water), transportation safety, and certain regulatory functions in Washington. This appointment affects how the commission is led and its direction on policy and oversight matters.
- Utilities and transportation companies operating in Washington — As Chair, Brian Rybarik will guide the commission’s decisions on utility rates, infrastructure projects, and transportation safety rules — which can influence costs, service reliability, and environmental standards for the public.
Who Is Most Affected
As the UTC sets utility rates, approves infrastructure projects, and enforces pipeline and rail safety standards, residents’ monthly bills, environmental protections, and transportation safety depend on commission leadership. However, this bill only appoints a specific individual — it does not change commission authority, procedures, or policy direction. No measurable impact on utility costs, safety outcomes, or access to services is inherent in the appointment itself.
Utility and transportation companies will continue to operate under the same statutory framework and regulatory scope. The identity of the Chair may influence enforcement tone or prioritization of specific initiatives (e.g., decarbonization, rate case timelines), but the legal limits and processes governing the UTC remain unchanged by this appointment alone.
State employees in the UTC staff and administrative roles are not affected in terms of duties, compensation, or job security by this appointment, as the Chair is appointed from outside the commission (per RCW 43.43.040) and does not alter staffing or budget authority.