HB 1018 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Adding fusion energy to facilities that may obtain site certification for the purposes of chapter 80.50 RCW.

HB 1018 expands Washington state's energy facility site certification process to include fusion energy facilities. This means that proposed fusion energy projects will now be eligible for review and approval by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). The bill integrates fusion energy into the existing framework for siting major energy infrastructure, aiming to streamline the application process for such facilities. This policy change aligns with the state's goals to develop clean energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Dec 9, 2024 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to include fusion energy facilities alongside existing renewable energy sources for site certification. It also updated the list of specific energy facilities requiring certification to include larger pipelines and added new provisions for transferring unfinished nuclear power sites to local governments for economic development.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include fusion energy facilities and broadened the definition of facilities requiring site certification to include larger crude, refined petroleum, and natural gas pipelines.

ELIGIBILITY

Added fusion energy to the list of energy facilities eligible for site certification under the chapter.

Updated the list of facilities requiring certification to include larger crude or refined petroleum pipelines (over 6 inches diameter) and larger natural gas pipelines (over 14 inches diameter).

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to consult with federally recognized tribes regarding tribal resources and rights during the siting review process.

Added a new section allowing unfinished fission nuclear power projects to transfer site restoration and economic development responsibilities to local political subdivisions like cities, counties, or port districts.

DEFINITION

Amended the introductory section to reflect the inclusion of fusion energy and the expanded list of facilities requiring certification.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2025 · House Apr 19, 2025

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 26, 2025

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.

lower

Apr 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (51-0)

senate

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

ENVI - Majority; do pass.

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors