Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Environment Committee

HB 1602

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Specifies that local governments are responsible for determining whether meeting the fuel usage requirement for electricity and biofuels is practicable.
Directs the Department of Commerce to adopt rules to clarify how local governments will be evaluated in determining whether they have met the fuel usage requirement for electricity and biofuel.
Exempts certain vehicles from meeting the fuel usage requirement for electricity and biofuels.

Background:

By the year 2015, all state agencies must satisfy 100 percent of their fuel needs for all vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuels. By June 1, 2010, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) must adopt rules to address criteria and a phase-in schedule for state agencies and local government subdivisions of the state to convert their fleet to electricity and biofuels. Compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or propane may be substituted for electricity or biofuel, if Commerce determines that electricity and biofuel are not reasonably available.

By the year 2018, cities and counties must satisfy 100 percent of their fuel needs for all vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuels. By June 1, 2015, Commerce must adopt rules to address criteria and a phase-in schedule for cities and counties to convert their fleet to electricity and biofuels. Transit agencies using compressed natural gas on June 1, 2018, are exempt from this requirement.

In order to phase in this requirement, state agencies and local governments, to the extent practicable as determined by Commerce, must achieve 40 percent fuel usage using electricity or biofuel for publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment by June 1, 2013.

Summary of Bill:

Each local government is responsible for determining whether meeting the fuel usage requirement is practicable. Beginning June 1, 2018, all local governments, to the extent determined practicable by each local government, are required to satisfy 100 percent of their fuel usage for operating publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel. The following vehicles are exempt from this requirement: (1) police, fire, and other emergency response vehicles; (2) engine retrofits that would void warranties; and (3) conventional vehicles and equipment owned before June 1, 2018.

By June 1, 2015, the Department of Commerce must adopt rules to clarify how local governments will be evaluated in determining whether they have met the fuel usage requirement for electricity and biofuels. In developing the rules, the Department of Commerce must include recommendations to local governments on mechanisms or frameworks that could be used when considering cost, fuel availability, and other conversion issues when the local governments are determining the practicability of purchasing decisions.