WashingtonSB 50362025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Strengthening Washington's leadership and accountability on climate policy by transitioning to annual reporting of statewide emissions data.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Gas auction money back to customers

Natural gas utilities receive free emission allowances that shrink as the cap shrinks. Starting in 2023, 65% of those free allowances must be sent to auction, and the share rises by 5 points each year until it reaches 100%. Money from the auctions must go back to customers as nonvolumetric bill credits, with priority for low‑income customers. Utilities can also use funds for weatherization, decarbonization, conservation and efficiency services, and bill help. Utilities may also deposit some allowances for compliance, but auction revenues must be used for customer benefit.

Annual greenhouse gas reports and tracking

Ecology and Commerce post total greenhouse gas emissions for the most recent two years, by major sector, including wildfire emissions. Reports are due by December 31 of each even‑numbered year through 2030, then every year starting December 31, 2031. Ecology must also post one‑year summaries with sector totals by December 31, 2027 and December 31, 2029 and notify the governor and legislative committees. Ecology runs a tracking system to monitor emissions by sector and show results from current and future policies.

State limits and net-zero by 2050

Washington sets enforceable greenhouse gas limits: 90,500,000 metric tons by 2020; 50,000,000 by 2030 (46% below 1990); 27,000,000 by 2040 (70% below 1990); and 5,000,000 by 2050 (95% below 1990). The state must also reach net‑zero emissions by 2050. These limits guide agency rules and programs.

Who gets gas bill credits

Customer bill credits from auction revenues are limited to locations connected to a natural gas utility on or before July 25, 2021. Customers at locations connected after that date do not get these credits. Low‑income customers are exempt from this date rule.

Reporting rules for gas utility allowances

To qualify for free allowances, natural gas utilities had to send Ecology electronic copies of their EPA greenhouse gas reports for 2015–2021 by March 31, 2022. If a utility did not file with EPA for a year, it must submit a department form with the same information. Going forward, a utility must file its annual greenhouse gas report under RCW 70A.15.2200 to keep getting free allowances.

How biomass emissions are counted

For reporting only, CO2 from burning certain industrial biomass (fuel wood, wood waste, by‑products, and residuals) is not counted as greenhouse gas emissions. This applies only when the region’s forest carbon storage capacity is kept or increased. The rule changes how totals are reported, not the legal emission limits.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Matt Boehnke
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Wellman
Democratic • Senate
Mike Chapman
Democratic • Senate
Paul Harris
Republican • Senate
Perry Dozier
Republican • Senate
Phil Fortunato
Republican • Senate
Shelly Short
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 4/10/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Effective date 7/27/2025.
5/2/2025Senate
Chapter 195, 2025 Laws.
5/2/2025Senate
Governor signed.
5/2/2025legislature
Delivered to Governor.
4/23/2025legislature
Speaker signed.
4/22/2025legislature
President signed.
4/19/2025legislature
Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
4/17/2025Senate
Senate concurred in House amendments.
4/17/2025House
Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.
4/10/2025Senate
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/10/2025Senate
Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
4/10/2025Senate
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/10/2025Senate
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
4/8/2025Senate
APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Environment & Energy.
4/8/2025Senate
APP - Executive action taken by committee.
4/8/2025Senate
Referred to Appropriations.
4/2/2025Senate
ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.
3/31/2025Senate
Minority; without recommendation.
3/31/2025Senate
ENVI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
3/31/2025Senate
First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.
3/13/2025Senate
Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
3/11/2025Senate
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
3/11/2025Senate
Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
3/5/2025Senate
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
2/28/2025Senate
Minority; without recommendation.
2/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

Session Law
5/5/2025
HTML PDF
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/23/2025
HTML PDF
Original Bill
1/14/2025
HTML PDF

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