Wash. Rev. Code » Title 80 · Chapter 80.01
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 80.01.040 (2026)

General powers and duties of commission

✓ current as of May 2026
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The utilities and transportation commission shall:
(1) Exercise all the powers and perform all the duties prescribed by this title and by Title 81 RCW, or by any other law.
(2) Regulate in the public interest, as provided by the public service laws, all persons engaging in the transportation of persons or property within this state for compensation.
(3) Regulate in the public interest, as provided by the public service laws, the rates, services, facilities, and practices of all persons engaging within this state in the business of supplying any utility service or commodity to the public for compensation.
(4) Make rules and regulations necessary to carry out its other powers and duties.
[ 2007 c 234 s 1; 1985 c 450 s 10; 1961 c 14 s 80.01.040. Prior: (i) 1949 c 117 s 3; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 10964-115-3. (ii) 1945 c 267 s 5; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 10459-5. (iii) 1945 c 267 s 6; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 10459-6. Formerly RCW 43.53.050.]

Notes:

Flaggers—Safety standards: RCW 49.17.350.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 38 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1971–2025 · leading case: Tanner Elec. Coop. v. Puget Sound Power & Light, 911 P.2d 1301 (Wash. 1996).
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Tanner Elec. Coop. v. Puget Sound Power & Light, 911 P.2d 1301 (Wash. 1996). · cites it 4× “030 specifies that the WUTC shall have the authority to approve these agreements and provides that compliance with such agreements is required by law.”
PacifiCorp v. Washington Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 376 P.3d 389 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “RCW 80.01.040; US W. Commc’ns v. Wash. Utils.”
Washington Indep. Tel. Ass'n v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 64 P.3d 606 (Wash. 2003). · cites it 3× “The Commission's Order R-450 relies on RCW 80.01.040, RCW 80.04.160, and RCW 80.”
Am. Network, Inc. v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 776 P.2d 950 (Wash. 1989). · cites it 4× “Under RCW 80.01.040 and RCW 80.36, the Commission is given regulatory authority over intrastate telecommunications.”
Jewell v. Washington Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 585 P.2d 1167 (Wash. 1978). · cites it 6× “" RCW 80.01.040. The commission is to set rates which are fair, just, reasonable and sufficient to allow the telephone company to render prompt, expeditious and efficient service.”
US West Commc'ns, Inc. v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 949 P.2d 1337 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 3× “RCW 80.01.040 establishes the general powers and duties of the Commission.”
Nat'l Union Ins. v. Puget Sound Power & Light, 972 P.2d 481 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “RCW 80.01.040. Accordingly, the WUTC has stated its mission as "ensuring that safe and reliable service is provided to consumers at reasonable rates.”
INDOOR BILLBOARD WASHINGTON, INC. v. Integra Telecom of Washington, Inc., 170 P.3d 10 (Wash. 2007). “for any service performed by any public service company" or "charge in excess of the lawful rate in force at the time such charge was made.”
Indoor Billboard/Washington, Inc. v. Integra Telecom of Washington, Inc., 162 Wash. 2d 59 (Wash. 2007). “” Former RCW 80.01.040(3) (1985). The WUTC is vested with exclusive jurisdiction to decide complaints concerning the “reasonableness of any rate, toll, rental, or charge for any service performed by any public service *72 company” or “charge [ ] .”
Gen. Tel. Co. of the Nw., Inc. v. City of Bothell, 716 P.2d 879 (Wash. 1986). · cites it 2× “Under RCW 80.01.040, the WUTC may regulate the rates, services, facilities and practices of telephone companies.”
Washington Indep. Tel. Ass'n v. Telecomm. Ratepayers Ass'n for Cost-based & Equitable Rates, 880 P.2d 50 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 3× “WITA calls our attention to RCW 80.01.040(3), which provides that the Commission is empowered to [rjegulate in the public interest, as provided by the public service laws, the rates, services, facilities, and practices of all persons engaging within this state in the business of…”
Elec. Lightwave, Inc. v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 869 P.2d 1045 (Wash. 1994). “RCW 80.01.040(3). On September 18,1990, and July 3,1991, respectively, ELI and DDS applied to the Commission for approval of their bids to become telecommunications companies.”
Show all 38 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 80.01.040(1) — 2 cases
Washington Indep. Tel. Ass'n v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 64 P.3d 606 (Wash. 2003). “The Commission's Order R-450 relies on RCW 80.01.040, RCW 80.04.160, and RCW 80.”
Washington Indep. Tel. Ass'n v. Washington Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 148 Wash. 2d 887 (Wash. 2003).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 80.01.040(3) — 21 cases
INDOOR BILLBOARD WASHINGTON, INC. v. Integra Telecom of Washington, Inc., 170 P.3d 10 (Wash. 2007). “for any service performed by any public service company" or "charge in excess of the lawful rate in force at the time such charge was made.”
Indoor Billboard/Washington, Inc. v. Integra Telecom of Washington, Inc., 162 Wash. 2d 59 (Wash. 2007). “” Former RCW 80.01.040(3) (1985). The WUTC is vested with exclusive jurisdiction to decide complaints concerning the “reasonableness of any rate, toll, rental, or charge for any service performed by any public service *72 company” or “charge [ ] .”
US West Commc'ns, Inc. v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 949 P.2d 1337 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 80.01.040 establishes the general powers and duties of the Commission.”
Washington Indep. Tel. Ass'n v. Telecomm. Ratepayers Ass'n for Cost-based & Equitable Rates, 880 P.2d 50 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994). “WITA calls our attention to RCW 80.01.040(3), which provides that the Commission is empowered to [rjegulate in the public interest, as provided by the public service laws, the rates, services, facilities, and practices of all persons engaging within this state in the business of…”
Elec. Lightwave, Inc. v. Utils. & Transp. Comm'n, 869 P.2d 1045 (Wash. 1994). “RCW 80.01.040(3). On September 18,1990, and July 3,1991, respectively, ELI and DDS applied to the Commission for approval of their bids to become telecommunications companies.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 80.01.040(4) — 2 cases
Tanner Elec. Coop. v. Puget Sound Power & Light, 911 P.2d 1301 (Wash. 1996). “030 specifies that the WUTC shall have the authority to approve these agreements and provides that compliance with such agreements is required by law.”
Nat'l Union Ins. v. Puget Sound Power & Light, 972 P.2d 481 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 80.01.040. Accordingly, the WUTC has stated its mission as "ensuring that safe and reliable service is provided to consumers at reasonable rates.”
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