Week Five
We are now five weeks into session with only four more weeks to go. Monday, February 7th, was the House of Origin Fiscal Committee cutoff; where all bills needed to be voted out of their fiscal committees in order to stay alive. Following Monday’s cutoff, legislators have been on the floor passing bills out of their respective chambers. Both bodies will continue to focus on floor action until the House of Origin cut off on February 15th.
Senate minority leader John Braun (R-20) was joined by the House minority leader J.T. Wilcox (R-2) on Monday (February 7th) for the Republican Leadership Media Availability, where they discussed their party’s priorities, issues, and perspectives around the legislative session. Braun expressed that the key priorities continue to revolve around restoring public safety, returning affordability to the state of Washington working families, and rebuilding trust in state and local government.
The Democratic Leadership Media Availability was also held on Monday, February 7th. Majority caucus whip Senator Emily Randall (D-26) and Assistant Majority Caucus Floor Leader Senator Joe Nguyen (D-34) hosted the interview. The two stated Democratic priorities are improving apprenticeship programs, insulin caps, addressing paid family leave, climate change, gun control, and addressing homelessness.
On Tuesday, February 8th, House and Senate Democrats presented their proposed Transportation Funding & Projects Package, which they call “Move Ahead Washington.” Transportation chairs Representative Jake Fey (D-27) and Senator Marko Liias (D-21) facilitated the press conference announcing the plan. This $16.8 billion dollar package intends to be rolled out over the next 16 years. The plan includes; $1.2 billion for active transportation (including pedestrian transportation such as biking), $3 billion for transit, $2.6 billion for new projects, $1.4 billion to complete existing projects, $488 million for alternative fuel electrification, and $435 for ferries. Move ahead Washington is funded by revenue collected through the Climate Commitment Act, federal funds, 2 billion one-time transfer from the state general fund, and a new tax on fuel exported outside of the state of Washington.
Following the release of the package the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on SB 5974 on Thursday, February 10th, and Friday, February 11th,. Stakeholders from all over the state of Washington provided public testimony on the package. The legislation is scheduled for executive session in front of the Senate Transportation Committee on Monday, February 14th, at 8:00 AM.
On Wednesday, Governor Jay Inslee held a press conference to provide an update on Covid-19 protocols. Starting February 18th, the state is lifting outdoor mask requirements for groups of 500 or larger. Inslee also stated that he would be giving an update on indoor masking requirements next week.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of bills have been brought forward to address healthcare workforce demands. HB 1868, sponsored by Representative Marcus Riccelli and co-sponsored by 43 additional legislators, intends to enact safe staffing standards in health care facilities. This contentious legislation passed out of House Appropriations on Monday and is currently on the House floor calendar awaiting a vote.
Another issue of note is HB 1782, sponsored by Representative Jessica Bateman (D-22), intends to create additional middle housing near transit areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. Representative Bateman sat down with Senator Mona Das for the Capital Ideas podcast to talk about the bill and the need to change laws to allow for more safe and affordable housing. The bill passed out of the Appropriations Committee on Monday with a very close vote. The bill has been pulled from Rules and is now on the floor calendar.
Following the House of Origin cutoff on February 15th, legislation will go back to committee hearings to consider bills that have been passed by the opposite chamber. Bills passed by their house of origin will have until February 24th to pass the opposite house policy committee. We expect the Senate to release their Operating and Capital Budget proposals as early as next week, the House is expected to follow the week of February 21st.
The joint House and Senate Democrats transportation package was presented this week, which includes significant funding for alternative fuel and electrification efforts, as well as funding for state and local decarbonization projects and carbon emission reduction local grants. This legislation also delinks the clean fuels standard resources from transportation as well as the EITE issues from impacting the ability to spend the Climate Commitment Act funding. We expect the first look at the capital budgets as early as mid next week, and that will give us a chance to see if there are any changes to the Clean Energy Fund.
We will continue to monitor as these bills continue to move through the legislative process:
SB 5910 – Accelerating the availability and use of renewable hydrogen in Washington state
This legislation, sponsored by Senator Carlyle, establishes the Office of Renewable Fuels as well as the Renewable Fuels Accelerator Account. It also aims to assist in securing federal funding for clean hydrogen in our state, and authorizes municipal and public utility districts to produce, use, sell, and distribute renewable and electrolytic hydrogen. Executive action in on this bill was taken in the Senate Ways & Means committee on Monday, February 7th where it passed out unanimously. This legislation is now awaiting the next step of the process in Rules.
HB 1896 – Providing for responsible environmental management of batteries
This legislation, sponsored by Representative Harris-Talley, intends to create a stewardship program around batteries and guidelines around disposal. The House Appropriations Committee took executive action on this legislation on Saturday, February 5th. A proposed substitute was adopted and voted out of the committee with a do pass recommendation (19-14). The bill now sits in Rules awaiting to be brought to the floor.
SB 5842 – Concerning state laws that address climate change
Senate Ways & Means took executive action on this legislation on Monday, February 7th; a 2nd substitute bill was voted on and moved to Rules with a do pass recommendation (14-11). In Rules, the bill was pulled onto the floor and voted on (29-20). The legislation now moves to the House and is already scheduled for a public hearing in front of the Environment & Energy Committee on Friday, February 18th, at 10:00 AM.
Hearings of Interest:
House Environment & Energy – 2/17/2022 1:30 PM
Public Hearing:
SB 5042 – Concerning the effective date of certain actions taken under the growth management act. (Remote testimony.)
ESSB 5428 – Concerning the application of the state environmental policy act to temporary shelters and transitional encampments. (Remote testimony.)
SSB 5722 – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. (Remote testimony.) (If measure is referred to committee.)
House Environment & Energy – 2/18/2022 10:00 AM
Public Hearing:
SB 5312 – Facilitating transit-oriented development and increasing housing inventory. (Remote testimony.)
SB 5747 – Concerning the statewide master oil and hazardous substance spill prevention and contingency plan.
E2SSB 5842 – Concerning state laws that address climate change. (Remote testimony.)
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology – 2/16/2022 8:00 AM
Public Hearing:
HB 1978 – Concerning shoreline master program review schedules. (Remote testimony.)
ESHB 1619 – Concerning appliance efficiency standards. (Remote testimony.)
SHB 1623 – Addressing the extent to which Washington residents are at risk of rolling blackouts and power supply inadequacy events. (Remote testimony.)
E2SHB 1663 – Reducing methane emissions from landfills. (Remote testimony.)
ESHB 1753 – Concerning tribal consultation regarding the use of certain funding authorized by the climate commitment act. (Remote testimony.)
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology – 2/17/2022 10:30 AM
Public Hearing:
SHB 1768 – Updating definitions applicable to energy conservation projects involving public entities. (Remote testimony.)
ESHB 1673 – Concerning broadband infrastructure loans and grants made by the public works board. (Remote testimony.)
Senate Transportation – 2/14/2022 8:00 AM
Executive Session:
SB 5974 – Addressing transportation resources.
SSB 5085 – Modifying certain alternative fuel vehicles fees.
SB 5488 – Completing outstanding financial obligations regarding the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge project.
Important Dates:
Feb 3 – House of Origin Policy Cutoff
Feb 7 – House of Origin Fiscal Cutoff
Feb 15 – House of Origin Floor Cutoff
Feb 24 – Opposite House Policy Cutoff
Feb 28 – Opposite House Fiscal Cutoff
March 4 – Opposite House Floor Cutoff
Clean Tech Alliance Bill Status & Upcoming Events Report
Upcoming Events
Transportation (Senate) – Virtual – 2/14 @ 8:00am
• SB 5974 – Exec Session – Addressing transportation resources.
Housing & Local Government (Senate) – Virtual – 2/16 @ 10:30am
• E2SHB 1117 – Public Hearing – Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state’s comprehensive planning framework. (Remote testimony.)
Business, Financial Services & Trade (Senate) – Virtual – 2/17 @ 8:00am
• 2SHB 1173 – Public Hearing – Concerning state lands development authorities. (Remote testimony.) (Support/High)
Finance (House) – Virtual – 2/17 @ 8:00am
• HB 1864 – Exec Session – Concerning economic development through advanced technology leadership and security.
• HB 1988 – Exec Session – Concerning tax deferrals for investment projects in clean technology manufacturing, clean alternative fuels production, and renewable energy storage.
Ways & Means (Senate) – Virtual – 2/17 @ 4:00pm
• SB 5651 – Public Hearing – Concerning the capital budget. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute.) (Remote testimony.)
| Bill # | Abbrev. Title | Short Description | Status | Sponsor |
| HB 1036 (Dead) | Transportation fuel/carbon | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel. | H Env & Energy | Fitzgibbon |
| HB 1046 (Dead) | Community solar programs | Concerning community solar programs. | H Env & Energy | Bateman |
| SHB 1081 (ESSB 5084) | State gen. obligation bonds | Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts. | H Rules X | Tharinger |
| SHB 1084 (SB 5093) | Building decarbonization | Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions by achieving greater decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings. | H Approps | Ramel |
| HB 1093 (SB 5091) | Operating budget, 2nd supp. | Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations. | H Approps | Ormsby |
| SHB 1103 (SB 5366) | Building materials | Improving environmental and social outcomes with the production of building materials. | H Approps | Duerr |
| E2SHB 1117 | Comp. planning/salmon | Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state’s comprehensive planning framework. | S Housing & Local | Lekanoff |
| HB 1125 (Dead) | Energy investments | Incentivizing investment in energy conservation and efficiency measures and expanding opportunities for energy rate discounts to, among other objectives, reduce the energy burden of low-income customers and vulnerable populations. | H Env & Energy | Shewmake |
| HB 1130 (Dead) | Energy supply/consumers | Concerning consumer affordability and reliability in energy supply. | H Env & Energy | Dye |
| 2SHB 1173 | State lands development auth | Concerning state lands development authorities. | S Business, Finan | Berry |
| HB 1280 | Greenhouse gas/facilities | Concerning greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the design of public facilities. | S Environment, En | Ramel |
| SHB 1406 (SB 5426) | Wealth tax | Improving the equity of Washington state’s tax code by creating the Washington state wealth tax and taxing extraordinary financial intangible assets. | H Approps | Frame |
| HB 1513 (Dead) | Carbon emissions | Improving environmental health by reducing carbon emissions through increasing climate resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change by levying a carbon pollution tax, authorizing a climate finance bond program, and investing in clean economic growth. | H Env & Energy | Lekanoff |
| HB 1534 (Dead) | Carbon pollution tax | Establishing a carbon pollution tax that recognizes the nature of energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries. | H Env & Energy | Shewmake |
| HB 1766 (Dead) (SB 5668) | Gas companies | Modifying the regulation of gas companies to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. | H Env & Energy | Ramel |
| HB 1767 (SB 5666) | Targeted electrification | Concerning the authority of publicly owned electric utilities to engage in targeted electrification through the adoption of plans that establish a finding that utility outreach and investment in the conversion of its customers’ end use equipment from fossil fuels to electricity will provide net benefits to the utility. | H 2nd Reading | Ramel |
| SHB 1768 | Energy conservation projects | Updating definitions applicable to energy conservation projects involving public entities. | H Passed 3rd | Duerr |
| SHB 1770 (SB 5669) | Energy codes | Strengthening energy codes. | H 2nd Reading | Duerr |
| HB 1774 (Dead) (SSB 5722) | Greenhouse gases/buildings | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. | H Env & Energy | Hackney |
| HB 1781 (SB 5651) | Capital budget, supplemental | Concerning the capital budget. | H Cap Budget | Tharinger |
| 2SHB 1812 | Energy facility site council | Modernizing the energy facility site evaluation council to meet the state’s clean energy goals. | H Rules R | Fitzgibbon |
| HB 1864 | Leadership and security | Concerning economic development through advanced technology leadership and security. | H Finance | Boehnke |
| EHB 1964 | Alternative energy decomm. | Concerning the decommissioning of alternative energy facilities. | H Passed 3rd | Corry |
| HB 1988 (SSB 5744) | Clean tech. tax deferrals | Concerning tax deferrals for investment projects in clean technology manufacturing, clean alternative fuels production, and renewable energy storage. | H Finance | Shewmake |
| HB 2002 (Dead) | Energy infrastructure siting | Concerning the siting of energy infrastructure necessary for the fulfillment of the state’s decarbonization goals. | H Env & Energy | Fitzgibbon |
| HB 2119 (SB 5974) | Transportation resources | Addressing transportation resources. | H Transportation | Fey |
| SB 5091 (HB 1093) | Operating budget, 2nd supp. | Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations. | S Ways & Means | Rolfes |
| SB 5093 (Dead) (SHB 1084) | Building decarbonization | Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions by achieving greater decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings. | S Environment, E | Liias |
| SB 5168 (Dead) | Electric utility advisory | Concerning renewable and nonemitting resources analysis and advisory opinions. | S Environment, E | Short |
| SB 5206 (Dead) | Energy facility evaluation | Eliminating expedited processing of an alternative energy resource facility fueled by solar energy on certain designated lands before the energy facility site evaluation council. | S Environment, E | Warnick |
| SB 5231 (Dead) (E3SHB 1091) | Transportation fuel/carbon | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel. | S Environment, E | Stanford |
| SB 5244 (Dead) | Nuclear reactor production | Encouraging the production of advanced nuclear reactors, small modular reactors, and components through the invest in Washington act. | S Environment, E | Brown |
| SB 5256 (Dead) (SHB 1204) | Transp. electrification | Concerning the electrification of transportation. | S Environment, E | Liias |
| SB 5308 | Hybrid vehicle fees | Reducing certain transportation electrification fees on hybrid vehicles. | S Transportation | Short |
| SB 5373 (Dead) | Carbon pollution | Concerning carbon pollution. | S Environment, E | Lovelett |
| SB 5415 (Dead) | Energy facil site eval cncl | Concerning the energy facility site evaluation council. | S Environment, E | Lovelett |
| SB 5493 (Dead) | Residential renewable energy | Reopening the renewable energy system incentive program for residential-scale systems. | S Environment, En | Wilson |
| SB 5651 (HB 1781) | Capital budget, supplemental | Concerning the capital budget. | S Ways & Means | Frockt |
| SB 5666 (Dead) (HB 1767) | Targeted electrification | Concerning the authority of publicly owned electric utilities to engage in targeted electrification through the adoption of plans that establish a finding that utility outreach and investment in the conversion of its customers’ end use equipment from fossil fuels to electricity will provide net benefits to the utility. | S Environment, E | Liias |
| SB 5668 (Dead) (HB 1766) | Gas companies | Modifying the regulation of gas companies to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. | S Environment, E | Lovelett |
| SB 5669 (Dead) (SHB 1770) | Energy codes | Strengthening energy codes. | S Environment, En | Liias |
| SSB 5678 | Energy project orders | Concerning energy transformation, nonemitting electric generation, and renewable resource project analysis and declaratory orders. | S 2nd Reading | Short |
| SSB 5722 (HB 1774) | Greenhouse gases/buildings | Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. | S 2nd Reading | Nguyen |
| SSB 5744 (HB 1988) | Clean tech. tax deferrals | Concerning tax deferrals for investment projects in clean technology manufacturing, clean alternative fuels production, and renewable energy storage. | S Ways & Means | Nguyen |
| SSB 5835 | Workers’ comp marriage study | Concerning workers’ compensation. | S Rules 2 | Saldana |
| SB 5908 | Clean car authority | Creating the clean car authority as a new state government agency. | S Transportation | Liias |
| SSB 5910 | Hydrogen | Accelerating the availability and use of renewable hydrogen in Washington state. | S 2nd Reading | Carlyle |
| SB 5968 | Salmon populations/effect | Requiring the department of fish and wildlife to track the effect of certain specified activities on salmon populations. | S Ag/Water/Natura | Fortunato |
| SB 5974 (HB 2119) | Transportation resources | Addressing transportation resources. | S Transportation | Liias |