2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 81.04.130: Suspension of tariff change.

Whenever any public service company, other than a railroad company, files with the commission any schedule, classification, rule, or regulation, the effect of which is to change any rate, fare, charge, rental, or toll previously charged, the commission has power, either upon its own motion or upon complaint, upon notice, to hold a hearing concerning the proposed change and the reasonableness and justness of it. Pending the hearing and the decision the commission may suspend the operation of the rate, fare, charge, rental, or toll, if the change is proposed by a common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, other than a solid waste collection company, for a period not exceeding seven months, and, if proposed by a solid waste collection company, for a period not exceeding ten months from the time the change would otherwise go into effect. After a full hearing the commission may make such order in reference to the change as would be provided in a hearing initiated after the change had become effective.

     At any hearing involving any change in any schedule, classification, rule, or regulation the effect of which is to increase any rate, fare, charge, rental, or toll theretofore charged, the burden of proof to show that such increase is just and reasonable is upon the public service company. When any common carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the commission files any tariff, classification, rule, or regulation the effect of which is to decrease any rate, fare, or charge, the burden of proof to show that such decrease is just and reasonable is upon the common carrier.

[1993 c 300 § 1; 1984 c 143 § 1; 1961 c 14 § 81.04.130. Prior: 1941 c 162 § 1; 1937 c 169 § 2; 1933 c 165 § 3; 1915 c 133 § 1; 1911 c 117 § 82; Rem. Supp. 1941 § 10424.]