2022 Washington State Legislative Session

Lorraine Loomis Act For Salmon Recovery — SB 5727, HB 1838 – did not pass

Across the state, salmon are on the brink of extinction. Some Puget Sound salmon species have declined by 90% compared to historical populations. In the Columbia River basin, returns are as little as 2% of historical levels. The Governor is proposing habitat legislation as a tribute to Lorraine Loomis (Swinomish Tribe, and Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission) longtime champion for the salmon. The Act requires tree buffers tall and wide enough to shade rivers and streams. The Act also requires shifting to a standard of improving ecological conditions rather than habitat loss mitigation.

We are supporting Native nations’ calls for these necessary steps to restore abundant salmon for future generations. The Act must:

• Require zones around rivers and streams with tall trees and vegetation that are wide enough to keep waters cool
• Establish the Riparian Habitat Conservation Grant Program
• Provide oversight and accountability, monitor habitat conditions, and adapt the program over time

This bill has been crafted in consultation with sovereign Native nations, is Governor request legislation, and is a priority selected by the Environmental Priorities Coalition.

Lorraine Loomis Act factsheet —Environmental Priorities Coalition

Energy for All — HB 1490 – did not pass

Secure access to energy is crucial to keeping Washington residents healthy, safe, learning, working, and thriving, and will facilitate a Just Transition to clean energy. The Governor and Utilities and Transportation Commission moratoriums on shut-offs helped sustain residential energy service in Washington and protected the public. But these protections are temporary and utilities are already seeking to collect on debt. This legislation establishes access to home energy as a basic need and an essential resource that should be accessed in full dignity without uncertainty about affordability and threats of disconnection. 

Energy for All is part of a just transition to a regenerative energy system through equitable rates and effective limits on utilities control on our right to affordable, renewable energy. The bill includes the following benefits for low income households and households with people with disabilities:

• Energy bill payment plan options with bills capped at 3% of household income
• Past due balance debt on accounts written off after one year of plan payments
• Coverage of annual home energy usage up to 15 megawatt hours or 800 therms (above average use to cover residences which need more energy to warm older and less efficient homes)
• Customer communications in appropriate language and format for residents to understand
• Regular data reporting by utilities on residential customer usage, energy assistance need, and energy assistance program participation (all disaggregated by zip code)

HB 1490 is led by Front and Centered and is a partnership agenda item for the Environmental Priorities Coalition.

Find more information here from Front and Centered.

Renew Act — SB 5697  – did not pass

All across Washington, plastic waste litters Washington’s shorelines and waterways, filling landfills to capacity, and harming wildlife. Our recycling system needs to be modernized so packaging can actually be recycled, composted, or reused. The Renew Recycling Act addresses this waste by creating a set of graduated fees on packaging manufacturers based on how readily reusable, compostable, or recyclable their products are. These fees will be used to fund improvements in infrastructure, uniform access for residents across the state, and a clear list of what people can recycle. This bill will have the added benefit of shifting recycling costs away from ratepayers and onto the manufacturers.

The Renew Act will:

• Establish an extended producer responsibility system that makes producers of packaging and paper products responsible for the full lifecycle of their products
• Set recycling and reuse targets that ramp up over time, requiring that by 2031, 100% of the packaging and paper products made or sold into Washington is reusable, recyclable, or compostable 
• Incentivize companies to make product packaging more sustainable through establishing a set of graduated fees based on how readily the packaging can be reused, recycled, or composted
• Fund needed improvements to Washington’s recycling system, provide uniform recycling access, and create a harmonized and clear list of what people can and can’t recycle
• Mandate new post-consumer recycled content requirements for PET thermoform containers (i.e., clear containers that bakery goods or produce come in), polypropylene tubs (i.e., yogurt containers), and single-use plastic cups

This bill is a priority selected by the Environmental Priorities Coalition.

Renew Act Factsheet — Environmental Priorities Coalition

Growth Management Act

Sprawl Loophole — SB 5042, Sen. Saloman – PASSED

nties to subvert the Growth Management Hearing Board (GMHB) appeals process to illegally build sprawling developments that devours farmlands, forests, and critical habitats. The loophole locks in outdated rules, and puts a financial strain on jurisdictions to provide adequate infrastructure, facilities, and services to new developments. 

Factsheet on SB 5042 — Futurewise
Factsheet on SB 5042 — Environmental Priorities Coalition

Factsheet on HB 1099 — Futurewise
Introduction to the GMA — Futurewise

Accelerate PFAS Protections— HB 1694 – sponsored by Rep Berry, PASSED

We celebrated in 2019, when the state legislature passed Safer Products for Washington into law, giving the Department of Ecology (Ecology) authority to ban PFAS in a wide range of consumer products. The agency is currently planning to restrict PFAS in rugs, carpets, upholstery, and aftermarket waterproofing treatment, having identified safer alternatives that are currently available. However, PFAS continues to pollute our environment and our bodies in a number of other household products, cosmetics, apparel, and firefighter PPE that are not yet regulated. Without changes to the law, Ecology won’t start considering additional action on PFAS until 2025 and we will wait until 2030 for rules to go into effect. This bill moves up timelines for Ecology to put in place restrictions or other actions to limit toxic PFAS pollution.

Find more information here from Toxic Free Future

Move Ahead WA Transportation Package – SB 5974/HB 2119, SB 5975/HB 2118, Sponsored by Sen. Liias/Rep. Fey

This big, 16-year package covers a wide range of transportation issues including: 

• Prioritizing transit systems across the state, including transit operations, bicycle and pedestrian projects 
• Focusing on fixing and preserving our existing roadways before expanding them 
• Investing in overburdened communities 
• Expanding electrification and clean transportation programs 

Earth Ministry/WAIPL is following the leadership of Front & Centered in response to the Move Ahead WA proposal. They have released a statement speaking to how this proposal includes significant progress from what was proposed last year but still needs improvements that center frontline communities. We encourage you to see Front & Centered’s website for more info and to amplify their ask that legislators: 

1. Require environmental justice assessments for all transportation projects
2. Ensure that we stop building new highways or expanding old highways in the communities that are most vulnerable to environmental and climate risks  
3. Pass the Frequent Accessible Transit Standard budget proviso so we can set clear targets for getting high-quality transit to communities across the state 

Find more information on Move Ahead WA here
Factsheet on Transportation for All — Environmental Priorities Coalition

The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act – SB 5703 – did not pass

Everyday products like shampoo, cosmetics, and nail polish can be a source of exposure to chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and formaldehyde, with women of color bearing an even greater burden of exposure. Safer alternatives to these hormone-disrupting and cancer-causing chemicals are available, making this toxic assault completely unnecessary. This bill bans some of the most concerning chemicals used in cosmetic products, including PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde, and undisclosed synthetic fragrances. The bans would go into effect in 2025.

The bill also requires the Departments of Ecology and Health to create a community engagement plan by December 1, 2022. This plan would:

• Test cosmetic products marketed to women of color and identify potentially harmful ingredients;
• Seek information through outreach and provide culturally appropriate education concerning identified harmful ingredients used in cultural and other cosmetic products, prioritizing engagement with vulnerable populations; and
• Obtain recommendations for priority chemicals or products to be regulated under the Safer Products for Washington program.

Find more information here from Toxic Free Future

Targeted Building Electrification – HB 1767, SB 5666 – did not pass

Buildings are the fastest-growing source of emissions in Washington state, in large part due to the continued use of fossil fuels for space and water heating and cooking. If our homes and buildings were carbon-free and energy efficient, we would significantly reduce our climate pollution, drastically cut energy costs for owners and renters, and improve air quality where we live and work. This bill would clarify that public utilities have the authority to provide financial help for customer electrification projects, as long as the projects are beneficial to both the utility and its customers. Utility electrification programs will improve customer choice, lower the cost of efficient all-electric technologies, and level the playing field between private and public utilities. It would also help support low-income customers transitioning from gas to clean, electric heating, enabling them to benefit from bill payment assistance programs.

Targeted Building Electrification factsheet — Climate Solutions
Targeted Building Electrification FAQ — Climate Solutions

Buy Clean and Buy Fair –  SB 5366, HB 1103 – did not pass

Washington has an important role to play through investing in locally sourced materials, manufactured in facilities with high labor standards and minor environmental impact. The policy creates a reporting system with vital information on the environmental and labor impacts of structural materials used in state-funded infrastructure projects. During the 2021 session, the legislature funded the creation of a publicly accessible database to enable reporting and promote transparency. Passing Buy Clean and Buy Fair legislation sends a clear market signal of the growing demand for ethically-made low-carbon goods.

Buy Clean and Buy Fair Factsheet — BlueGreen Alliance