SB 6050 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Expanding the use of distributed energy resources.

SB 6050 allows homeowners to use portable solar devices (like plug-in panels under 1,200 watts) without costly electrical panel upgrades by setting safety standards for these devices. It also creates financial incentives for landlords to install energy efficiency measures in rental properties, reducing energy costs for tenants - particularly low-income households and vulnerable communities. The bill aims to lower barriers to small-scale solar adoption and grid-connected energy upgrades while requiring portable solar systems to meet national safety codes. These changes directly affect residential electricity users, landlords, and utility companies in Washington State.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from SB 6050 to Substitute SB 6050 and updated with new legislative history reflecting a committee hearing. The text was expanded to include a detailed 'Findings' section explaining the intent to reduce barriers for small-scale solar and meter-mounted devices, while also addressing conservation incentives for rental housing. The core legal definitions and requirements for portable solar devices and meter-mounted installations remain substantively the same, though the bill now explicitly references UL 3700 standards for plug-in solar safety.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a comprehensive legislative findings section detailing the intent to lower costs for solar adoption and improve conservation incentives for rental housing owners. The scope of applicability for the new definitions of portable solar devices and meter-mounted devices remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Added a detailed 'Findings' section explaining the legislature's intent to reduce barriers for distributed energy resources and address conservation incentives for rental housing.

Added specific references to UL 3700 and UL 3141 standards in the findings section regarding safety for plug-in solar systems and storage.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill number from SB 6050 to Substitute SB 6050 and changed the reading date from 01/12/26 to 02/02/26.

DEFINITION

Updated the title page to reflect the bill's status as a Substitute Bill and included the committee name.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors