Legislative Work

Priority Bills

Right to Repair (SB 5464 / HB 1392) – Promoting the fair servicing and repair of digital electronic equipment): Championed by Representative Gregerson and Senator Derek Stanford. This bill requires digital electronic product manufacturers, such as Apple and Microsoft, to make repair information, parts and tools available to independent repair businesses and owners. There’s a huge amount of e-waste! For example, on average, Washington disposes of 8,700 phones every day. This bill would make it possible for small businesses to repair computers, tablets and cellphones. Extending the life of computers, tablets and cellphones will decrease the need for more resources, energy and transportation to manufacture new products – therefore also decreasing greenhouse gas. This bill will lower costs for consumers, get used computers, tablets and cell phones into the hands of people who need them, and help overcome digital inequities in Washington. This way, people will keep using their items instead of tossing them!

STATUS: Senate: Removed from being scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 am on February 10, 2023. House: Passed off House floor (58-38-0-2) on March 4, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 am on March 22, 2023.

Battery recycling (SB 5144 / HB 1553 (not a pure companion) – Providing for responsible environmental management of batteries): The batteries in our cell phones, electric toothbrushes and other rechargeable devices are lithium ion batteries.  These batteries are on the rise as we move more and more into a renewable energy future. They can cause serious fires in our recycling and garbage trucks and facilities when they get crushed or “dinged.” And there are critical minerals in batteries that we need to recycle into new batteries, not dispose in landfills, Senator Derek Stanford and Representative Chipalo Street are leading the charge for this product stewardship bill for recycling all batteries. Last year, the champion was Rep. Harris-Talley and the bill advanced from committee and had extensive negotiations. Stakeholder process has been underway this fall with many meetings and intense discussion, especially related to a similar bill in California that was recently signed into law. The bill would make battery manufacturers responsible for the lifecycle of their products, creating an incentive for them to make batteries that last longer or are easier to recycle and providing for convenient and responsible recycling of batteries in a statewide program. The program would include portable batteries and medium batteries (scooters and power tools). Large format batteries (over 25 lbs and 2000 Wh) would be subject to a Ecology study by July 2026, and then potentially other management, including producer responsibility. Ensuring the proper handling, recycling, and end-of-life management of used batteries prevents the release of toxic materials into the environment and removes materials from the waste stream that, if mishandled, may present safety concerns to workers, such as by igniting fires at solid waste handling facilities. See factsheet

STATUS: Senate: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee on March 3, 2023. House: First reading, referred to Environment & Energy on January 24, 2023. In House:Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 pm on March 21, 2023.

Plastics reduction (HB 1085 – Reducing plastic pollution): This bill, championed by newly elected Representative Sharlett Mena, addresses reducing our use of plastics in three ways:

• Requiring refill stations wherever a drinking fountain is required in all new buildings. This will make it easier to transition to reusable water bottles. Currently, refill stations are only required in new educational buildings in Washington. We want people to be able to bring their own reusable bottles and get them refilled everywhere there is a water fountain.
• Phasing out mini toiletries plastic packaging (shampoos, conditions, lotions and soaps) at hotels and other lodging establishments, to help eliminate unnecessary, hard-to-recycle plastic waste. Instead, hotels would install bulk dispensers or use non-plastic packages (such as cardboard sleeves for soap bars, cotton swabs, and shower caps). Similar laws have already been passed in California and New York as well as local cities like Bellingham and Bainbridge Island.
• Banning foam-filled dock floats to reduce a source of plastic pollution in lakes and marine waters. Many docks use floats that are filled with plastic foam. When damaged, they leak bits of plastic foam that contain toxic chemicals which harm wildlife, pollute marine and shoreline environments, and are impossible to clean up. Foam-free docking—filled simply with air—is a readily available alternative that can be used in the same applications, at a similar cost. See Factsheet

STATUS: Passed out of the House floor (97-0-0-1) on February 28, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 am on March 10, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 pm on March 21, 2023.

Compostable products (HB 1033 – Evaluating compostable product usage in Washington):  We need to tackle the patchwork of usage and acceptance of products across Washington. It is confusing that some compost facilities allow compostable foodware made of PLA (polylactic acid, made from corn) and facilities in other areas do not allow any fiber or compostable products at all. This bill, led by Representative Amy Walen, would create a taskforce that would examine the topic and make policy recommendations to the legislators, so that we can move quickly toward developing a statewide policy. Our goal is to help get more food waste to compost facilities rather than the landfill.

STATUS: Passed off the House floor (91-6-0-1) on February 28, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 pm on March 21, 2023.

Toxics in cosmetics (HB 1047 – Concerning the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetic products):  Championed by Representative Sharlett Mena, this bill prohibits, starting January 1, 2025, the sale or distribution of cosmetics containing specific toxic chemicals or chemical classes above the practical quantitation limit. STATUS: Passed off House floor (55-41-0-2) on March 1, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 pm on March 21, 2023

Wind turbine blades (SB 5287 – Concerning a study on the recycling of wind turbine blades):  Led by Senator Wilson, this bill directs Washington State University extension energy program to conduct a study on the feasibility of recycling wind turbine blades installed at facilities in Washington that generate electricity for distribution to customers in Washington. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (48-0-0-1) on February 27, 2023. In House: Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 pm on March 21, 2023.

Petition to USEPA to strengthen PCB regs (SB 5369 / HB1314 – Reassessing standards for polychlorinated biphenyls in consumer products). Led by Senator Billig and Representative Ormsby, this bill if enacted would direct Ecology to petition USEPA to reassess its PCB regulations under the toxic substances control act and to establish restrictions on the use of PCBs previously considered inadvertent in consumer products. STATUS: Senate: Passed off Senate floor (49-0-0) on March 2, 2023. House: First reading, referred to Environment & Energy on January 13, 2023. In House: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 pm on September 21,2023, and executive session in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 am on March 23, 2023.

Exempt reusable packaging from taxes (HB 1422 –Clarifying that certain reusable packing materials are exempt from sales and use tax): Sponsored by Representative Springer, this bill excludes from sales and use tax the renting or leasing of packing materials under a packing material sharing and reuse program (i.e., a system that pools packing materials among multiple persons for reuse). Packing materials includes boxes, crates, pallets, bottles, cans, bags, drums, cartons, wrapping papers, cellophane, twines, gummed tapes, wire, bands, excelsior, wastepaper, and all other materials in which personal property may be contained or protected within a container. STATUS: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading on March 2, 2023. (Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB)?)

Derelict vessels removal appeal (SB 5192 / HB 1081 – Authorizing administrative law judges to substitute for pollution control hearings board members in deciding derelict vessel appeals):  Led by Senator Sharon Shewmake and Representative Tarra Simmons, this bill would allow an administrative judge to hear an appeal related to an authorized public entity’s decision to take temporary possession or custody of a vessel. This would speed up the process of getting these important marine debris problems addressed. STATUS: Senate: Passed senate (47-0-0-2) on February 15, 2023. In House: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources at 10:30 am on March 17, 2023.

Large highway debris (SB 5178 – Concerning large debris removal from interstate highways):  Led by Senator Fortunato, this bill would significantly increase litter fines (and directs where the fines go). STATUS: Passed off floor (48-0-0-1) on March 6, 2023. In House: First reading, referred to Transportation on March 8, 2023.

Non-flushable wipes (HB 1213 – Concerning compliance with labeling requirements for wipes):  Led by Representative Ybarra, this bill updates non-flushable wipes labeling re federal laws STATUS: In House: Passed House floor (93-0-0-5) on February 6, 2023. In Senate: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 pm on March 21, 2023.

WA manufacturing (SB 5269 – Concerning Washington state manufacturing): Led by Senator Shewmake, this bill requires Commerce to commission an independent assessment of WA manufacturing related to the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, including Identifying opportunities to build and maximize the environmental and economic benefits of a circular economy for both new and existing industries in building out and strengthening Washington’s manufacturing base. STATUS: Passed off Senate floor (28-20-1-0) on March 8, 2023. In House: Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 am on March 21, 2023.

Railroad infrastructure recycling (SB 5494 / HB 1371 Providing incentives to improve freight railroad infrastructure): Led by Senator Jeff Wilson and Representative Barkis, this bill provides tax credits to railroad companies that recycle railroad materials including rail, ties, tie plates, joint bars, fasteners, switches, ballast, or other equipment or materials installed on tracks used by class II and class III railroads. Status: Senate: Heard in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade at 10:30 am on February 2, 2023. House: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade at 10:30 am, in anticipation of other legislative action, on March 23, 2023.

Bills that are not moving forward at this time