Proposals for the 2027 legislative session

ZEVergreen

Transportation is Washington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonizing this sector is critical to meeting our climate targets, as well as improving air quality. Given the uncertainty caused by federal actions to end federal and state vehicle emission standards, Washington is positioned to further incentivize zero-emissions vehicle adoption. This proposal would amend chapter 70A.30 RCW and related statutes to advance zero-emissions vehicle adoption, thereby furthering the state’s progress on transportation decarbonization, transportation affordability, and improving air quality. 

For questions or more information about this proposal, please contact:

Tamara Jones (she/her)
Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen
Deputy Program Manager
Climate Pollution Reduction Program
Tamara.Jones@ecy.wa.gov
564-669-3713

Safer Products for Washington

Washington’s Safer Products for Washington program authorizes Ecology to adopt rules restricting dangerous chemicals in consumer products when safer alternatives are available. The agency is considering a proposal that would strengthen this program. Our proposal considers expanding Ecology’s authority under Chapter 70A.350 RCW to order manufacturers to provide data about ingredients in their products and potential safer alternatives, which will help inform decisions about product restrictions. The proposal also includes provisions to create a fast-track to quickly restrict certain chemicals in consumer products when there is an urgent need for restrictions, and to create a pathway, under certain criteria, for restricting certain chemical-product combinations even when safer alternatives are not proven to be feasible or available.

For questions or more information about this proposal, please contact:

Kimberly Goetz (she/her)
Senior Legislative Planner
Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program
Kimberly.Goetz@ecy.wa.gov
360-819-7080

Hazardous Waste Fees

To ensure that hazardous waste is safely managed, Ecology charges fees to Washington businesses that generate dangerous waste. These fees have not been meaningfully updated since 1990. The fees are inequitably distributed amongst businesses, don’t incentivize waste reduction, and are insufficient to adequately fund Ecology’s pollution prevention work. Ecology is proposing a substantial revision to how hazardous waste fees are assessed. The proposal would update Chapter 70A.350 RCW to remove the fee structure from statute and direct Ecology to develop a new, more equitable fee system through rulemaking with interested parties.

For questions or more information about this proposal, please contact:

Kimberly Goetz (she/her)
Senior Legislative Planner
Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program
Kimberly.Goetz@ecy.wa.gov
360-819-7080

Well Construction and Licensing 

Ecology's Water Resources Program is proposing an update to chapter 18.104 RCW related to well construction and well driller licensing. This proposal will make process improvements for well driller licensing renewals, well tagging and reporting requirements, and Notice of Intent forms which are submitted to Ecology at least 72 hours prior to drilling. The proposal will also update the fees Ecology levies for well construction for the first time since 2005 to recover program implementation costs, thereby ensuring a high level of customer service.

For questions or more information about this proposal, please contact:

Ria Berns (she/her)
Program Manager
Water Resources Program
Ria.Berns@ecy.wa.gov
425-495-3917