Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Environment Committee

ESB 5099

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 Engrossed Bill

Directs the Department of Commerce (Department) to convene an advisory committee of representatives of local government subdivisions and local government organizations to work with the Department to develop rules relating to local government fuel usage requirements for electricity and biofuels.
Permits local government subdivisions to exempt from the fuel usage requirement emergency response vehicles and engine retrofits that would void warranties.

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 (Department) must adopt rules to address criteria and a phase-in schedule for state agencies to convert their fleet to electricity and biofuels. Compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or propane may be substituted for electricity or biofuel if the Department 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, the Department 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, to the extent practicable as determined by the Department, 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:

The Department of Commerce (Department) is required to convene an advisory committee of representatives of local government subdivisions and representatives from organizations representing each local government subdivision to work with the Department to develop rules relating to local government fuel usage requirements. The rules adopted by the Department of Commerce must provide the authority for local government subdivisions to elect to exempt from the fuel usage requirement police, fire, and other emergency response vehicles, including utility vehicles frequently used for emergency response.

Engine retrofits that would void warranties are exempted from the fuel usage requirement. Additionally, it is specified that it is not the intent of the local government fuel usage statute to require the replacement of equipment before the end of its useful life.