WashingtonMunicipal utilities may waive charges for resource-sharing projects
Municipal utilities may waive connection charges for resource-sharing projects when the charges have an identified funding source and the property meets the eligibility rules.
What it does
Municipal utilities may waive one-time utility connection charges for properties used by public or private organizations to share resources and reduce waste. The charges must have an identified funding source, and they become due if the property stops qualifying.
Cities and towns must use an ordinance program when they waive or delay certain utility connection charges for low-income people, housing and shelter providers, or organizations using industrial symbiosis.
Argument forResource-sharing projects could pay less to connect utility service while cutting waste when businesses and organizations reuse materials, energy, or water.
Argument againstUtilities may need to set aside public or grant money for waived charges, and organizations could owe those charges if their property stops qualifying.
More detail
Municipal utilities may waive one-time charges to connect utility service for properties used for industrial symbiosis. The property may be owned or developed by a public or private organization and must be used for industrial symbiosis: collaboration to use materials, energy, water, or byproducts more efficiently, with measurable resource or emissions reductions. The utility must fund waived charges with general funds, grant dollars, or another identified revenue source. If the property stops meeting the eligibility rules, waived charges become due immediately as a condition of continued service. The law takes effect June 11, 2026.
A city or town must establish an ordinance program for waiving or delaying certain utility connection charges. The provision covers charges to connect to city or town utility lines or pipes, including water, sewer, electricity, gas, power, and heat. The program applies when a city or town waives or delays charges for low-income people or groups, specified housing and shelter providers, or organizations using property for industrial symbiosis.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 23Chapter 127, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 23Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#38). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 23Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 20Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 20ENET - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Minor
- Jan 15Third reading, passed; yeas, 76; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#4). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 15Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 13Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on third reading.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Apr 27By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- Apr 15Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 24Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 21ENET - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 21Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Mar 14Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 14First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Minor
- Feb 13Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#2). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 131st substitute bill substituted (ENVI 25).Major
- Feb 11Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Jan 30ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 30Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 15First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.Introduced
Environment & Energy