Legislative Update

 
It's a short legislative session and things have been happening quickly! Here's an update on some of the bills we've been watching related to alternative fuels and petroleum reduction.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles & Infrastructure
Several bills were in motion to modify legislation passed last year pertaining to tax credits for alternative fuel vehicle purchases. Summary:
  • HB 2884 and HB 2761 both address B&O tax and public utility tax credits for commercial alternative fuel vehicles. Western Washington Clean Cities testified in support of HB 2884.
    • Synopsis: Both bills modify the language to allow leased vehicles to be eligible for the tax credit.
    • Status: HB 2884 was passed by the House Committee on Transportation and by the Finance committee. The bill now must pass the Rules Committee before being given a House Floor vote.
  • HB 2778 and HB 2613 both sought to address the $35,000 price cap established in last year's alternative fuel vehicle sales tax exemption legislation. Western Washington Clean Cities supported both of these bills.
    • HB 2778 would exempt the first $35,000 purchase price of any eligible vehicle under $38,500, or up to $42,500 for vehicles with a battery capacity of 30 kWh or more, or which have a range of 100 miles or more in pure electric mode. This modification to the existing sales tax exemption is expected to allow purchases and leases of the Chevy Bolt, the Tesla Model 3 and the next generation Nissan Leaf to qualify.
        • Status: The House Transportation Committee moved this bill with a "do pass" recommendation. The bill has been referred to the Rules Committee where it awaits Committee action.
    • HB 2613 modifies the sales and use tax exemption to allow the first $35,000 of any eligible vehicle purchase to qualify.
        • Status: A public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation occurred on 2/1. This bill did not move out of Committee.
  • HB 2357 | SB 6187
    • Synopsis: This bill establishes a revolving loan and grant program to assist with remediation for petroleum underground storage tanks. Provides authority for grants and loans to install alternative fuel and electric vehicle charging stations.
    • Status: The bill has passed out of all House committees and was passed on the house floor February 10th. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Telecommunications.
  • HB 2317
    • Synopsis: This bill expands the use of neighborhood electric vehicles to allow them to travel on state highways in segments where the speed limit is thirty mph or less.
    • Status: The bill has passed out of the House Rules Committee and has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
  

Carbon Emissions
  • HI-732 | Initiative I-732: Creating a carbon pollution tax. 
    • Synopsis: This initiative would institute a carbon tax on fossil fuels consumed in Washington, as well as reduce state sales tax.
    • Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Finance on February 19.

Bills that Didn't Make the Cut
Following are a few bills that we've been monitoring, but which didn't make the cut-off:
  • HB 2421 | SB 6173:Directing that the state may not regulate greenhouse gas emissions beyond the requirements established by federal law.
  • HB 2866 | SB 6479: Establishing a joint select committee to investigate the creation of a state council for the Pacific Northwest economic region.
  • SB 6306: Creating a fossil fuel carbon pollution tax.
Here is a more complete list of bills that made the fiscal committee cutoff.

 


Special thanks to our fabulous intern, Lucas DuSablon, for compiling the lion's share of this digest. We'll continue to monitor and keep you apprised of legislative activities as the session progresses. 

 

 
 
Kimberley Cline & Scott DeWees
Co-Coordinators
Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition 
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Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition | 1904 Third Ave - Suite 105 | Seattle | WA | 98101