HB 2296 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Expanding the use of distributed energy resources.

HB 2296 allows Washington homeowners to install one small, customer-owned energy device (like solar panels or battery systems) on their home electricity meter, subject to safety and compatibility rules. Utilities must approve these devices within 90 days (for large utilities) or 180 days (for small utilities), cannot ban them locally, and must post approval decisions online. Devices must meet national safety standards, work with smart meters, not interfere with utility access or meter functions, and be certified by a testing lab. Homeowners pay for any utility service work related to the device installation, and utilities cannot be held liable for damage caused by approved devices. This directly affects residential electricity customers and utilities across Washington.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to completely change its subject matter from regulating customer-owned meter-mounted devices to allowing utility companies to invest in energy efficiency programs for rental housing. This shift moves the focus from individual homeowner equipment installation to utility-funded conservation measures for tenants, with costs recovered through billing.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from applying to all retail electric customers regarding meter-mounted devices to specifically targeting single-family and multifamily rental housing for energy conservation investments.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions regarding the installation, approval, and liability rules for customer-owned meter-mounted devices.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for electrical and natural gas companies to invest in energy conservation programs for rental housing instead of requiring owner contributions.

FISCAL

Established a mechanism for utilities to earn a return on investment for energy efficiency measures, with costs recovered via tenant or owner billing.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the chapter reference from 80.60 RCW to 80.28 RCW to align with the new energy conservation focus.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for cost-effective, energy burden, highly impacted community, low-income, and vulnerable populations.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

47–3

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Mar 6, 2026

D Democratic31

29 Yea 2 Nay

93% Yea

R Republican20

18 Yea 1 Nay 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 23, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Amended

Committee amendment not adopted.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors