WashingtonWashington law defines which fuels count as motor fuel
Since June 11, 2026, Washington law has defined motor fuel to include products intended for transportation, as well as fuel used to propel vehicles on state highways.
What it does
Washington law defines motor fuel to include liquid or gas used to move vehicles on state highways, as well as products intended for transportation. Ethanol blends may be marketed if either the base fuel or finished blend meets applicable standards.
Argument forA wider definition may help fuel-quality rules reach products intended for transportation, including those not used to propel vehicles on state highways.
Argument againstFuel sellers may face more compliance work if transportation fuels beyond those used on highways fall under the chapter’s rules.
More detail
Washington law defines motor fuel to include liquid or gas used to propel vehicles on state highways or intended for transportation. This definition applies throughout the motor fuel quality chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Ethanol fuel blends may be marketed if the base fuel meets applicable standards before ethanol is added, or if the finished blend meets those standards. This definition took effect June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 23Chapter 160, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 23Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 11President signed.Passed House
- Mar 10Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#24). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#31). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 27Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 23ENVI - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 23Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 19Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 12First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.Minor
- Feb 10Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 101st substitute bill substituted (ENET 26).Major
- Feb 6Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 3Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 3ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 30Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 21First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Introduced
TransportationEnvironment & Energy