SB 5317 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Exempting local governments providing certain services for projects under the jurisdiction of the energy facility siting evaluation council from certain appeals.

Senate Bill 5317 exempts actions taken by cities and counties from certain appeals related to energy facility projects. This exemption applies when local governments provide technical assistance, advice, or review services for the construction or operation of certified energy facilities, under an agreement with the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). Specifically, these local government actions cannot be appealed on the grounds of being inconsistent with a local code that has been preempted by state law for such projects. The bill clarifies the process for local governments assisting with state-approved energy developments.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Passed Legislature · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill added a formal certification of enrollment confirming it passed both legislative chambers in the 2025 session. A substantive policy change was made to the appeal process, removing a provision that automatically shielded cities and counties from appeals when working with the state council, and replacing it with a narrower rule that only protects actions taken under specific technical assistance agreements.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding local government liability was narrowed; the previous broad exemption from appeals for all technical assistance agreements was removed and replaced with a specific exemption only for actions taken under formal agreements.
ENFORCEMENT

Added a formal certificate of enrollment confirming the bill passed the Senate and House with specific vote counts and dates.

Replaced a broad clause that exempted cities and counties from appeals for any technical assistance with a narrower clause that only exempts appeals for actions taken under specific agreements related to technical assistance or plan review.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 18, 2025 · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

500
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Apr 18, 2025
D Democratic31
30 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
13
Committee
8
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Apr 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.
lower
Apr 14, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (91-8-1)
house
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
ENVI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
ENET - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors