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WashingtonHB 12532025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

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

Sponsored By: Alex Ybarra (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Wage protections for shared power-project workers

Beginning July 27, 2025, entities building or developing shared power facilities must follow Washington’s prevailing-wage and related public-works rules when a public utility district participates. This applies whether the district joins directly or co-owns a separate entity. These rules protect workers on covered projects. The law does not set specific wage amounts or provide a direct household payment.

Utilities gain partnerships with cost-sharing rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, eligible Washington consumer-owned utilities gain broader authority to share power generation, storage, and transmission projects. Partners can include regulated utilities, cooperatives, public agencies, and other entities, including partners across state and national borders. They can form joint ventures or limited liability companies. Eligible first-class cities operate both generation and distribution systems; eligible public utility districts operate either. Some renewable agreements must use eligible renewable resources, and counties with authorized biomass facilities may join only for that program’s purposes. Each partner generally must receive ownership at least matching its contribution, plus matching power rights. Partners can finance their shares with revenue bonds, but each pays its own financing costs, operating share, and applicable taxes. Operating-agency rates must cover debt and operating costs, linking project costs to electric bills without promising a price change. Partners may also make agreed payments to offset added burdens on counties or taxing districts during planning or construction. One partner’s debts cannot burden another’s share, and actions binding a city require its governing body’s approval. Operating agencies also gain power-trading, resource-acquisition, and related project authority, but cannot condemn city, district, or private utility plants. Cities acting jointly outside Washington need the owning or operating utility’s consent to acquire or condemn its property.

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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