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WashingtonHB 12532025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Expanding the ability of consumer-owned utilities to enter into joint use agreements.

Sponsored By: Alex Ybarra (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Broader partnerships for public power projects

Cities, public utility districts, joint agencies, rural co‑ops, and others can team up to plan, finance, build, own, and run power plants, storage, and high‑voltage lines. They can use joint ventures or LLCs, and each owns power and capacity in line with what it pays. Operating agencies can generate, buy, sell, and transmit power inside or outside Washington. They cannot use condemnation to take plants owned by cities, districts, or private utilities.

Costs, taxes, and wages for joint projects

Each participant pays its own interest and debt payments for its share of a project. Agreements must use one uniform way to split operations and maintenance costs. Cities and other participants must pay taxes on their share of the facility and on the power it makes. They can agree to make payments to counties during pre‑construction to offset added local burdens. When a public utility district takes part in construction, state prevailing wage rules apply. Cities can also issue revenue bonds or other debt to finance their share.

Protections and consent in joint utility projects

A city is liable only for its own debts and actions in a joint project. Its money or property cannot secure another participant’s debt, and only its governing body can approve actions that bind the city. When acting jointly outside Washington, a city cannot buy a utility’s property without that utility’s consent and cannot join a condemnation case to take it.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alex Ybarra

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 233 • No: 7

House vote • 4/19/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 94 • No: 1 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/6/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 90 • No: 6 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/15/2025House

  2. Chapter 279, 2025 Laws.

    5/15/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/15/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 94; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/19/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/19/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/4/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/4/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/4/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/26/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  14. ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/21/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

    2/7/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/6/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/6/2025House

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/6/2025House

  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/5/2025House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/31/2025House

  21. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/28/2025House

  22. ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/28/2025House

  23. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

    1/13/2025House

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/10/2025House

Bill Text

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