SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 3105

As of February 19, 2010

Title: An act relating to including alternative fuel vehicles in a strategy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from state agency fleets.

Brief Description: Allowing the director of financial management to include alternative fuel vehicles in a strategy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from state agency fleets.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Wallace, Kenney and Ormsby).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/10, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Environment, Water & Energy: 2/17/10.

Staff: Jan Odano (786-7486)

Background: The Director of the Department of General Administration (GA), in consultation with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and other state agencies, must develop strategies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from all classes of vehicles. State agencies must use the strategies to: phase-in fuel economy standards for motor pools and leased vehicles to achieve an average fuel economy standard of 36 miles per gallon (mpg) for passenger vehicles fleets by 2015; achieve an average fuel economy of 40 mpg for light duty vehicles; and achieve an average fuel economy standard of 27 mpg for light duty vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) purchased after June 15, 2010.

Beginning October 31, 2011, state agencies must annually report on the progress made to achieve the fuel economy standards and reduce vehicle emissions.

For all other classes of vehicles, GA must develop separate fleet fuel economy standard and provide a progress report on meeting the fuel consumption and emission goals to the Legislature and the Governor.

Average fuel economy calculations must be based on the current Environmental Protection Agency composite city and highway mile per gallon rating. Emergency response vehicles, passenger vans with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or greater, vehicles purchased for off-pavement use; and vehicles driven less than 2,000 miles per year are excluded from the agency fleet average fuel economy calculation.

Summary of Bill: After June, 15, 2010, state agencies may only purchase ultra low carbon vehicles or light duty passenger vehicles that achieve an average fuel economy of 40 mpg; and light duty vans and SUVs that achieve an average fuel economy standard of 27 mpg.

State agencies should consider, when financially comparable over a vehicle's useful life, purchasing or converting to ultra-low carbon fuel vehicles.

Definitions for petroleum based and ultra-low carbon fuel vehicle are provided.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill will give GA more purchasing options and flexibility to meet the fuel economy standards. The bill makes technical fixes to allow the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the state fleet and provide a lower emission standard and a lower emission level.

OTHER: A clarification needs to be made in the bill to allow GA some flexibility to purchase vehicles that don't necessarily meet the miles per gallon requirement but as a fleet meets the average miles per gallon.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Rolfes, Prime Sponsor, Tom Dooley, Clean Energy.

OTHER: Bryan Bazard, GA.