Environment

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5838: Adding a tribal member to the board of natural resources.

SB 5838 amends Washington State law to add a seventh member to the Board of Natural Resources, specifically a tribal representative. This representative must be a member of a federally recognized tribe in Washington, appointed by the governor after consulting with tribes, and serve a four-year term. The change directly affects the board's composition and decision-making process regarding natural resources management. The bill requires the governor to collaborate with tribes during the appointment and specifies that the tribal representative joins existing members like the governor's designee and county representatives. This adjustment aims to integrate tribal perspectives into natural resource decisions, as stated in the bill's findings.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds tribal representative to natural resources board, enhancing environmental decision-making through inclusive representation75% confidence

Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 5893: Addressing appropriations for long-term forest health and wildfire reduction.

SB 5893 appropriates an additional $65 million from the natural climate solutions account for the 2026 fiscal year to support forest health and wildfire reduction programs. The bill addresses a funding shortfall identified in previous legislation (chapter 298, Laws of 2021), which lacked sufficient resources to fully implement forest restoration and wildfire mitigation efforts. This funding specifically targets the "wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account" to cover the $125 million needed for the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing funds to fulfill previously authorized program needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $65M from natural climate account to fund forest health/wildfire programs, increasing state budget allocation for environmental initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest restoration and wildfire mitigation via $65M appropriation, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry Natural Disasters

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2170: Expanding revenue generation and economic opportunities from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services.

HB 2170 would authorize Washington’s Department of Natural Resources to generate revenue from state lands and waters through carbon credit programs and other ecosystem service projects, such as reforestation, kelp restoration, and water purification. The bill directly affects the department (which manages 6 million acres of state lands) and trust beneficiaries by enabling it to enter carbon markets like private landowners already do, with contracts lasting up to 125 years. Key provisions include requiring board approval for minimum payments, allowing sales of ecosystem service credits to markets, and directing proceeds to state accounts for environmental projects like salmon habitat improvement. The bill aims to diversify state revenue streams while leveraging natural climate solutions, aligning with Washington’s existing cap-and-invest climate program. It remains a proposed bill (prefiled but not yet enacted).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new revenue stream via carbon credits and ecosystem services, expanding state budget income without tax increases, aligning with fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes carbon credits and ecosystem projects (reforestation, kelp restoration) to generate revenue for environmental protection, directly advancing climate solutions and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Forestry

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 5821: Integrating advanced nuclear energy into the state energy strategy.

Washington's SB 5821 directs the Department of Commerce to develop a nuclear power strategic framework by December 2026, assessing how advanced nuclear energy could support the state's clean energy goals. The framework must evaluate state objectives, development processes (including permitting and tribal consultation), challenges, and policy recommendations - such as streamlining site approvals at previously used nuclear or fossil fuel sites. This bill affects state agencies, utilities, and stakeholders involved in energy planning, aiming to integrate nuclear power as a reliable, clean energy source to meet Washington's 2045 emissions targets and growing electricity demand.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates framework to integrate advanced nuclear into clean energy strategy, aligning with state clean energy goals and promoting low-carbon energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs development of nuclear energy framework to support clean energy goals, promoting low-emission power generation aligned with environmental protection objectives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2089: Supporting wildfire mitigation by modifying RCW 82.04.29005, concerning taxes on loan interest.

HB 2089 modifies Washington's tax code to redirect revenue from a business tax preference for "community banks" toward wildfire response funding. It updates the definition of "community bank" from "operating in ten or fewer states" to align with the federal standard ($10 billion or less in assets), reversing a 2012 policy that allowed 65% of tax savings ($91.6 million in 2023) to flow to non-community banks. Starting November 2027, the state will transfer annual revenue gains from this tax change directly into the wildfire response account, which funds forest restoration and community resilience. This bill directly affects financial institutions previously qualifying under the outdated definition, while ensuring funds support wildfire mitigation as mandated by the 2021 wildfire response account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $91.6M in tax savings from non-community banks to wildfire response funding, closing a loophole to strengthen public service funding.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly redirects tax revenue to wildfire response funding, directly supporting environmental protection through wildfire mitigation as stated in its title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Forestry Natural Disasters

signed · Washington · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2215: Concerning climate commitment act compliance obligations for fuels supplied or otherwise sold into Washington.

HB 2215 adjusts compliance thresholds under Washington's Climate Commitment Act for fuel suppliers. It lowers the de minimis exemption from 25,000 to 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually for most fuel suppliers (including gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane), requiring them to report emissions if their fuel combustion exceeds this threshold. The bill excludes fuel volumes delivered outside Washington or combusted outside the state, and directs the Department of Ecology to enforce rules uniformly across all regions and fuel types. This change aims to prevent market distortions by ensuring consistent compliance obligations for fuel businesses operating within the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyLowers emissions reporting threshold for fuel suppliers under Climate Commitment Act, tightening compliance to advance climate goals and reduce fossil fuel emissions.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLowers de minimis exemption from 25k to 500 tCO2e, expanding Climate Commitment Act coverage to more fuel suppliers and requiring emissions reporting, strengthening regulatory compliance.90% confidence

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2181: Paying for response activities for the December 2025 significant atmospheric river and winter event.

HB 2181 allocates $690 million in excess climate commitment auction revenue to repair transportation infrastructure damaged by the December 2025 atmospheric river and winter storm event. It specifically funds cleanup, repairs, and restoration of Interstate 90, State Routes 2, 167, and 410, and other critical transportation systems affected by the emergency. The funding comes directly from the Climate Investment Account, as authorized by the Climate Commitment Act, and is tied to emergency proclamation 25-07. This bill uses existing climate revenue for immediate infrastructure recovery, without creating new taxes or altering broader climate program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $690M from Climate Investment Account to repair storm-damaged infrastructure using designated revenue, demonstrating responsible fiscal management within existing budget framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from Climate Investment Account (Climate Commitment Act) used for storm recovery, directly tied to climate-related infrastructure response.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $690M from Climate Investment Account to repair damaged transportation infrastructure (I-90, SR 2, 167, 410) after storm event, directly funding restoration of critical systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2134: Concerning regional transportation plans, of regional transportation planning organizations containing certain counties, providing for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.

HB 2134 requires regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) serving specific counties to include measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in their transportation plans. It applies only to counties meeting strict criteria: those with high population density (100+ people/sq mi, 200,000+ population), river-bordering counties with growth rates ≥1.65%, or counties west of the Cascades with ≥130,000 residents. The bill mandates RTPOs to develop integrated regional plans that prioritize cost-effective projects, coordinate across county lines, and include financial strategies, while requiring biennial plan reviews. These plans must balance regional mobility with climate goals, focusing on existing infrastructure efficiency and transportation demand management.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates measurable GHG emissions reductions in transportation planning, directly advancing climate goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence through VMT targets.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and VMT for specified RTPOs, directly advancing climate goals and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates RTPOs to include measurable GHG and VMT reductions in transportation plans, promoting sustainable transit infrastructure per bill's core requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2212: Reducing microplastic pollution from washing machines.

HB 2212 requires new commercial and industrial washing machines sold in Washington to include microfiber filters that capture tiny plastic fibers (under 5mm) starting July 1, 2028, with existing machines needing filters by July 1, 2034. It mandates clear labeling on machines and regular filter maintenance to prevent microplastics - released in high numbers per laundry load - from entering waterways. The bill also allows for future residential machine requirements if other states adopt similar rules and costs stay below $70 per unit. Violations face civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, enforced by the Department of Ecology. This targets a major pollution source linked to health and marine ecosystem risks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires microfiber filters in washing machines to capture microplastics, preventing pollution in waterways - directly reducing environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2104: Concerning aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires.

HB 2104 makes permanent a 2023 pilot program providing financial assurance for local and tribal fire departments in Washington to use certified aircraft (like planes dropping water or fire retardant) during the initial response to wildland fires. It removes the program’s expiration date, ensuring ongoing state funding to help fire departments deploy aviation resources quickly without waiting for state mobilization. This directly affects local fire departments by guaranteeing they can afford aircraft use when needed, especially during high-risk summer conditions with dry fuels. The bill requires that aviation deployment be directed by trained air operations commanders and aims to prevent small fires from growing large, protecting communities, natural resources, and air quality.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes aviation funding for fire departments permanent, ensuring ongoing state budget allocation for emergency services without expiration.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds rapid deployment of aircraft to combat wildfires, protecting natural resources and preventing environmental damage from uncontrolled fires.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality