Electric Vehicle Grants.  The Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Act) passed by Congress in 2021, invests in the nation’s infrastructure, including electric vehicles.  The Act authorizes new spending to build out a national network of  electric vehicle charging infrastructure along the national highway system.  The Act also expands eligibility under the existing Surface Transportation Block Program to include the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Environmental Justice.  The departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Ecology, Health, Natural Resources, and Transportation, and the Puget Sound Partnership (covered agencies) must apply and comply with specified environmental justice requirements with respect to agency activities.  This includes environmental justice plan implementation, community engagement and public participation, tribal consultation, assessment, and budget and funding obligation requirements.  Covered agencies must annually update the Environmental Justice Council (Council) on the development and implementation of these required plans and processes, and must publish an annual report on the Office of Financial Management website beginning in 2024.

Environmental Justice Council.  The Council was established by the Legislature in 2021, to advise covered agencies on incorporating environmental justice into agency activities.  The Council consists of 14 members, appointed by the Governor, who are well-informed of and committed to the principles of environmental justice.  Covered agencies serve as nonvoting, ex officio liaisons to the Council.  The Council's role is advisory and decisions are not binding on an agency, individual, or organization.

State Civil Service Law.  State civil service law governs the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, discipline, and welfare of most state agency employees.  State civil service law applies to most state agency employees, unless expressly excluded.

Clean Car Authority.  The Clean Car Authority (Authority) is established to distribute electric vehicle grant funding awarded to Washington State from the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The Governor must appoint a director with the advice and consent of the Senate who will:

• control the internal affairs and supervision of the Authority;
• employ staff in accordance with state civil service law; and
• appoint an industry advisory committee to provide recommendations regarding the function of the Authority.

 
The director serves at the pleasure of the Governor and will be paid a salary fixed by the Governor.  The director and deputy director, should one be appointed, are exempt from the state civil service law.  Any power or duty vested in or transferred to the director by law or executive order may be delegated by the director, but the director is responsible for the official acts of the officers and employees of the Authority.
 
The Authority will:

• provide a general vision for the state regarding the most beneficial and efficient distribution of electric vehicle grants;
• oversee the administration of electric vehicle grants across all state agencies and local governments;
• assume all substantive and procedural requirements of covered agencies environmental justice obligations by notifying the Council; and
• coordinate its efforts with the Office of Climate Commitment Accountability, if it is established.

 
The Authority may adopt rules necessary to carry out the powers and duties delegated to it.
 
Industry Advisory Committee.  The industry advisory committee must include representation from the electric vehicle industry, interested stakeholders, and applicable state and local agencies tasked with administering electric vehicle grants.  The committee will hold meetings as determined by the director.  Members of the committee may be paid for their travel expenses.