Essential information on each bill is below. For more details, click on the bill number – e.g., “SB 5000.” The new page will show the progress of the bill, videos of debate, and the link to send a comment to your legislator about the bill.
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Energy
Allowing the use of electricity generated by qualified biomass facilities in the Pacific Northwest to meet renewable resource requirements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1712 amends Washington state law to enhance the integration of biomass energy into the renewable resource requirements for qualifying utilities under the Energy Independence Act. It updates key definitions, particularly “qualified biomass energy,” which must now be sourced from facilities in the Pacific Northwest that began operations before March 31, 1999. The bill also stipulates that utilities can only count biomass energy towards compliance if they own or are directly interconnected to the facility. Additionally, if a facility involved in industrial pulping or wood manufacturing ceases operations, the associated renewable energy credits become unusable for the utility.
Moreover, the bill establishes new compliance timelines, mandating that by January 1, 2030, utilities must meet 100% of their average annual retail electric load through renewable resources and nonemitting electric generation. It clarifies that voluntary renewable energy purchases do not count towards annual targets and sets the same requirements for utilities qualifying after December 31, 2006, as those established earlier. The council is also tasked with determining minimum labor hours for apprenticeship programs to qualify for additional credits related to eligible renewable resources.
Bill Summary
HB 1715 is a fiscally responsible bill that ensures taxpayer money is spent wisely as the state implements its Clean Buildings Performance Standard. This bill directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a thorough, data-driven review of the actual costs state agencies incur when complying with these energy efficiency standards. It focuses on understanding expenditures on capital upgrades and energy management, as well as the jobs created and the energy savings achieved—important metrics that will help Washington make informed, future-oriented policy decisions.
By analyzing a representative sample of buildings across state agencies—from schools to correctional facilities—on both sides of the state, JLARC will offer a clear, unbiased picture of what’s working and where more support or adjustments may be needed. This kind of transparency is crucial to keeping the state accountable while still advancing its environmental goals. Importantly, the review will also look into funding sources, including federal and local opportunities, to help offset compliance costs and reduce the financial burden on state budgets. This bill strengthens clean building standards by ensuring they are implemented efficiently and fairly. With a final report due in 2027, lawmakers and agencies will be well-equipped to refine their strategies based on real data, not guesswork.
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Health Care
Reviewing state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1722 is designed to open doors for motivated young people interested in public service and healthcare careers. This bill empowers 16- and 17-year-old students to participate in emergency medical technician (EMT) and fire service training programs earlier than currently allowed. By requiring the Department of Health to create a process for 16-year-olds to begin EMT training through approved vocational education programs, the bill gives students a valuable head start in life-saving professions. It also directs the State Fire Marshal’s Office to review outdated age restrictions that prevent young adults from exploring careers in fire protection services, with the goal of increasing both professional and volunteer opportunities statewide.
Importantly, the bill allows certified and properly trained minors to safely work in occupations that involve exposure to blood-borne pathogens, helping address workforce shortages in healthcare while maintaining safety standards. These changes ensure that only students who have received proper training and hold specific certifications will be eligible for such opportunities. By removing arbitrary age barriers, HB 1722 supports career exploration, bolsters essential public services, and helps students build real-world skills while still in high school. With unanimous bipartisan support in the House, the bill has proven to be both practical and popular.
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Health Care
Improving access and practices relating to portable orders for life-sustaining treatment.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1724 aims to enhance access to and practices surrounding portable orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) in Washington State. It mandates the Department of Health to adopt guidelines for emergency medical personnel regarding the treatment of individuals who have executed such orders. The bill introduces a standardized form for these orders, which must include an option for individuals to opt out of having their forms submitted to a statewide registry. Additionally, it allows for verbal confirmation of the orders under specific conditions and requires annual reviews of the orders by healthcare providers to ensure they align with the patient’s current health status.
Furthermore, the bill establishes a statewide registry to store these portable orders, ensuring patient confidentiality and accessibility and secure access and legal protections for healthcare providers. It outlines procedures for submitting, revoking, and managing these orders while maintaining patient confidentiality. The registry is exempt from public records inspection, and the Department of Health is authorized to accept donations to support its creation and maintenance. The bill also includes provisions for researching alternative evidence of executed orders, such as medical jewelry or electronic forms, with a report due to the legislature by June 30, 2026.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1728 amends an RCW to allow for the inclusion of a nonfamilial heir in the estate tax deduction for property used in farming. Specifically, it introduces the term “qualified nonfamilial heir,” defined as an employee of a farm who has materially participated in its operations and has acquired property from the decedent. This change expands the eligibility for estate tax deductions to include not only family members but also qualified nonfamilial heirs, thereby broadening the scope of individuals who can benefit from these deductions.
Additionally, the bill makes several technical amendments, such as updating references to subsections and clarifying definitions related to property qualifications and uses. It specifies that the new provisions will apply to decedents dying on or after August 1, 2025, and states that certain existing laws (RCW 82.32.805 and 82.32.808) do not apply to this act. The overall intent of the bill is to support the transfer of agricultural property by providing tax relief to a wider range of heirs, thereby promoting the continuity of farming operations.