WashingtonBill would set up statewide energy help for low-income households
If signed and funded, Washington would phase in a program that helps eligible low-income households lower their energy bills through participating utilities.
What it does
Low-income Washington households could receive help lowering energy costs through a statewide program, but the department could delay implementation until lawmakers provide funding.
Participating utilities would pass state-funded discounts or payments to low-income customers and list the help on their bills, with larger assistance for households facing greater need.
Electric utilities would report more information about low-income energy help and outreach, while the department would publish statewide data and recommendations every two years.
Argument forState-funded bill help could reduce the energy burden for low-income households, especially when assistance is directed to those with the greatest need.
Argument againstBecause assistance depends on future appropriations, eligible households might not receive help promptly or at the level needed to lower their bills.
More detail
The Department of Commerce would run a statewide program to lower energy costs for low-income households. The program would serve low-income households in Washington through utilities that choose to participate and are accepted by the department. The program would supplement, not replace, assistance that utilities already provide. The department would write enrollment rules, including online, phone, and in-person applications, self-attestation, income checks, and automatic enrollment for known eligible households. Immigration status could not be used to deny eligibility. Implementation would depend on money specifically appropriated for this purpose. The department would have to begin providing assistance no later than 14 months after funding is appropriated, and these program provisions would expire June 30, 2035.
The department would send program funds to participating utilities, which would pass the money to eligible residential customers and show it on monthly bills. Participating electric and other covered utilities would serve low-income residential customers under agreements with the department. Utilities could participate as program administrators only voluntarily. Assistance would be larger for households with greater energy needs. Utilities could seek reimbursement for assistance they provide. The program could not be funded through a utility surcharge, and utilities could not be required to provide assistance beyond the amount appropriated. The department and utilities would provide assistance as funds become available during the program's phase-in, with the program provisions expiring June 30, 2035.
Electric utilities would describe their assistance programs, outreach, participation, and funding, while the department would collect and report statewide information. The requirements would apply to electric utilities, with added planning details for utilities serving more than 25,000 retail customers. Utilities would have to ensure each low-income household has access to an energy assistance program. Biennial descriptions would cover outreach, including culturally and linguistically appropriate enrollment efforts, and compare participation and funding with household needs. The department would publish aggregated information and report to the legislature on assistance, energy burdens, spending, and possible funding methods. Utilities would submit the required information biennially, and the amended section would expire June 30, 2035.
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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 30Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 30Chapter 252, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 30Governor Bob Ferguson partially vetoed.Minor
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Major
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Passed final passage; yeas, 70; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 2.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#16). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#24). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 6Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Mar 6Committee amendment not adopted.Minor
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Environment, Energy & Technology.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 25Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 24And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 24ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Minor
- Feb 14Third reading, passed; yeas, 60; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#1). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 14Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 14Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 142nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26).Major
- Feb 11Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 7Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 7Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 7APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 7Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
- Feb 5Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Feb 21Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 20Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 20ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 13Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 7First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.Introduced
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