SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 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.

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: Local governments must, to the extent practicable as determined by each local government, meet the existing requirement that by the year 2018, they will satisfy 100 percent of their fuel needs for all vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuels. Police, fire, and emergency vehicles; certain engine retrofits; and conventional vehicles owned before June 1, 2018, are exempt from this requirement.

The rules that Commerce must adopt by June 1, 2015, 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 government is determining the practicability of purchasing decisions. Every local government must determine whether meeting this fuel requirement is practicable.