Environment

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1742: Concerning environmentally sustainable urban design.

HB 1742 creates a state Center for Sustainable Urban Design within the Department of Ecology to advance environmentally sustainable urban planning and architecture in Washington's cities. The center will coordinate design competitions (like one for a fire-damaged former beverage manufacturing site near the Capitol), award grants for projects reducing pollution (e.g., stormwater runoff, urban heat islands), and promote practices like green building and biophilic design. It directly affects first-class cities and urban developers by providing resources and policy guidance for projects meeting specific environmental and health criteria. The center must prioritize projects demonstrating measurable benefits, such as improved air quality, biodiversity, and reduced energy use, through competitive grant and design processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates state center to advance sustainable urban design, fund pollution-reducing projects (stormwater, urban heat islands), and promote green building/biophilic design per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2367: Eliminating preferential treatment related to a coal-fired electric generating plant.

HB 2367 eliminates special reporting exemptions for coal-fired power plants in Washington State's emissions tracking system. It amends reporting thresholds to remove preferential treatment, requiring coal plants to follow the same emissions reporting rules as other large emitters (like natural gas suppliers or railroads) once they exceed 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually. The bill repeals previous sections (RCW 82.08.811 and 82.12.811) that provided this preferential treatment, directly affecting coal-fired electricity generators by ending their distinct reporting pathway. This change ensures coal plants are subject to the same compliance obligations as other covered entities under the state's emissions program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEliminates exemptions for coal plants, requiring emissions reporting like other large emitters, reducing fossil fuel advantages and aligning with cleaner energy standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves preferential emissions reporting exemptions for coal plants, requiring full tracking like other large emitters, strengthening environmental oversight and transparency.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2554: Recognizing judicially affirmed and treaty-reserved fishing rights and promoting state-tribal cooperative agreements in the management of salmon, trout, and steelhead resources.

HB 2554 repeals five sections of Washington State law (RCW 77.110.010-040 and 900) that conflicted with judicially confirmed tribal fishing rights and existing state-tribal cooperative agreements. The bill directly affects tribal nations and state fisheries management by removing outdated legal barriers. It eliminates provisions that declared state policy on fish management, denied rights based on cultural heritage, and required congressional transmittal, aligning state law with treaty obligations and current cooperative agreements for salmon, trout, and steelhead resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill removes legal barriers to tribal-state cooperative management of salmon/trout resources, directly conserving natural fish populations through aligned fisheries management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2199: Reducing impacts from derelict vessels.

This bill gives Washington state agencies and local governments authority to remove abandoned or hazardous vessels (like those sunk, obstructing waterways, or endangering property) after a 7-day notice period. It directly affects vessel owners who leave boats unattended and local entities managing aquatic lands. Key provisions require authorities to prioritize environmentally sound disposal, sell vessels at auction if possible, and use sale proceeds first to cover removal costs, environmental damages, and administrative fees before addressing liens. The law also establishes clear procedures for owners to contest removal decisions or costs through hearings.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrioritizes environmentally sound disposal of derelict vessels, preventing waterway pollution and ecological harm from abandoned boats.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2285: Concerning the use of carbon capture and utilization, mineralization, or sequestration technologies under the Washington clean energy transformation act.

HB 2285 amends Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act to allow electric utilities to count electricity from natural gas power plants using carbon capture, utilization, mineralization, or sequestration technology toward the state’s 2030 and 2045 clean energy targets. This directly affects utilities required to meet the 100% clean electricity standard by 2045 under the Act. The bill clarifies that carbon capture technologies can be used to offset emissions from natural gas generation, making such projects eligible for compliance. It responds to legislative findings about energy reliability needs during extreme weather and Washington’s potential for carbon storage. The policy change does not alter existing emissions limits but expands eligible resources for meeting clean energy goals.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAllows natural gas with carbon capture to count toward clean energy targets, weakening the 2045 standard by permitting fossil fuel use to meet requirements.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows natural gas with carbon capture to count toward clean energy targets, weakening the 100% clean electricity standard under the Clean Energy Transformation Act.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1043: Extending the commute trip reduction tax credit.

HB 1043 extends the state's commute trip reduction tax credit program for employers and property managers until 2035. This program allows eligible entities to claim a tax credit for providing financial incentives to employees who use alternative commuting methods like ride-sharing, public transportation, car-sharing, or non-motorized transport. The bill changes the credit calculation so that the full amount paid to or on behalf of an employee, up to $60 per employee annually, can be credited (previously 50%). It also reduces the maximum credit a single entity can claim per fiscal year from $100,000 to $50,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit program for employers, providing tax relief under state fiscal policy to incentivize sustainable commuting methods.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes alternative commuting methods (public transit, car-sharing), reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation, aligning with energy efficiency goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax credit for alternative commuting methods (public transit, carpooling), reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credit for employer incentives promoting public transit, ride-sharing, and sustainable commuting, directly advancing sustainable transportation policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5194: Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts.

SB 5194 authorizes the state of Washington to issue nearly $4.7 billion in general obligation bonds. These bonds will finance various state capital projects outlined in the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia and future biennia. The proceeds are deposited into state building construction accounts and then transferred to specific accounts, including those for outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, farm and forest preservation, and early learning facilities. The state pledges its full faith and credit for repayment, using general state revenues to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $4.7B in bonds to fund capital projects including recreation, conservation, and education facilities, advancing state budget priorities through targeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning facilities, a direct educational infrastructure investment under bond proceeds for state capital projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds habitat conservation, farm/forest preservation, and outdoor recreation accounts from bond proceeds, directly advancing environmental protection priorities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1837: Establishing intercity passenger rail improvement priorities.

HB 1837 establishes specific improvement priorities for the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service, aiming to enhance the state's transportation system. It mandates the Washington State Department of Transportation to work towards target goals by 2035, including increasing on-time performance to 88% and boosting daily round trips between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The department must also improve multimodal connections at stations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the bill requires the department to report annually on its progress and directs the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades service development plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly mandates GHG emissions reduction through rail service improvements, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates improved Amtrak Cascades rail service goals, including increased daily trips, 88% on-time performance, and reduced emissions, directly advancing public transit infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1293: Concerning litter.

HB 1293 aims to reduce litter and plastic waste across Washington State, affecting individuals and retail establishments. The bill enhances penalties for littering, reclassifying offenses and establishing mandatory clean-up restitution payments based on the volume of litter. It also delays the requirement for reusable plastic carryout bags to be thicker and increases the pass-through charge for these bags. Furthermore, the bill imposes a new penalty on retailers for selling thicker plastic bags, directing these funds to a waste reduction and litter control account.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reduces litter/plastic waste via enhanced penalties, mandatory clean-up payments, and increased bag charges, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5033: Concerning sampling or testing of biosolids for PFAS chemicals.

Senate Bill 5033 establishes requirements for sampling and testing biosolids for PFAS chemicals in Washington state. It directs the Department of Ecology to issue guidance on PFAS sampling for facilities that generate biosolids by July 2026. These facilities will then be required to conduct quarterly PFAS chemical testing of their biosolids from January 2027 to June 2028, submitting the results to the department. Septic tank sludge is excluded from these specific sampling requirements. Based on the collected data, the Department of Ecology must report to the legislature by July 2029 with a summary of PFAS levels and recommendations for future actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates PFAS testing in biosolids to monitor and reduce environmental pollution from harmful chemicals, strengthening regulatory oversight of contaminants.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment