Environment

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5941: Allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts.

SB 5941 allows small school districts (with 500 or fewer students) in specific rural counties to be exempt from requiring renewable energy systems (like solar panels) in new school buildings over 10,000 square feet. The bill requires the state building code council to create this exemption by January 1, 2027, without forcing districts to meet additional energy efficiency requirements to qualify. It directly affects eligible school districts in counties designated as one climate zone under existing law, such as Adams, Benton, and Yakima. The exemption applies only to new construction or major additions, not existing buildings.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyAllows exemptions from renewable energy requirements for small rural schools, weakening mandatory clean energy adoption standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts rural school districts from renewable energy requirements, weakening environmental standards for new school buildings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

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 12, 2026

SJM 8013: Requesting Congress to amend the marine mammal protection act and the migratory bird act to allow the lethal removal of pinnipeds and predatory birds in Puget Sound in a manner similar to the recent changes authorized in the Columbia river to protect endangered salmon populations.

This Washington State Senate Joint Memorial (SJM 8013) requests Congress to amend two federal laws - the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Act - to allow lethal removal of seals, sea lions, and predatory birds in Puget Sound. It directly affects endangered salmon populations by seeking to replicate a 2018 Columbia River policy that permits targeted removals to protect salmon. Key provisions include authorizing Washington State and tribal governments to remove these animals in salmon habitats, requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to process permits within six months, and eliminating lengthy environmental reviews. The request aims to address pinniped and bird predation on critically endangered salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act. This is a non-binding memorial seeking federal legislative action, not a passed law.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to weaken Marine Mammal Protection Act and Migratory Bird Act by allowing lethal removal of protected species, directly opposing their conservation mandates to protect salmon populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5896: Modifying the standards for determining water quality pollution.

SB 5896 amends Washington State's water pollution law (RCW 90.48.080) by removing the phrase "or tend to cause" from the definition of unlawful discharges. This change requires that pollution be actual, not merely potential, to violate the law. The bill directly affects businesses, industries, and anyone discharging organic or inorganic matter into state waters. The bill was prefaced in December 2025 and referred to the Environment, Energy & Technology committee for review.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves 'or tend to cause' from pollution definition, requiring actual pollution to violate law, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

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 · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5856: Exempting emissions associated with lubricants from coverage under the cap and invest program.

SB 5856 exempts emissions from lubricants (like motor oil or industrial grease) from Washington's cap-and-invest program, which regulates greenhouse gas emissions from large polluters. This means companies using lubricants will no longer need to account for emissions from these products when calculating their total emissions under the program. The bill amends the definition of "covered entities" in the cap-and-invest law to exclude lubricant-related emissions from the 25,000 metric ton annual threshold that triggers regulatory coverage. It directly affects businesses that use or produce lubricants, such as manufacturing facilities, automotive services, or industrial operations. The change simplifies compliance for these entities by removing a specific emissions source from the program's requirements.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest program, weakening emission regulations under energy policy.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts lubricant emissions from cap-and-invest program, reducing regulatory coverage and weakening greenhouse gas emission controls.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Climate Change

Track