HB 1409 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the clean fuels program.

House Bill 1409 modifies Washington's clean fuels program, directing the Department of Ecology to establish rules that reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. It assigns compliance obligations to fuel providers whose products exceed carbon intensity standards and awards credits to those whose fuels are below standards, allowing these credits to be traded. The bill sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels to 55 percent below 2017 levels by no earlier than January 1, 2038, following a specified annual reduction schedule. It also outlines penalties for non-compliance with reporting and credit requirements, while exempting exported fuels.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Signed May 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill Second Substitute Passed Legislature · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Washington's clean fuels program to align with federal climate goals and improve market stability. Key changes include stricter requirements for the department to enforce zero-emission vehicle rules, clearer language on how fuel emissions must be reduced relative to state climate targets, and expanded authority to adjust carbon intensity standards if the fuel supply is insufficient. The bill also clarifies how penalties apply to violations and ensures the program's legal framework remains robust if any part is challenged in court.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include explicit requirements for harmonizing with other states' clean fuel programs and adding a stakeholder advisory panel for agricultural and forestland carbon sequestration credits.
REQUIREMENT

The conditions triggering stricter carbon intensity standards were changed from a 'not being implemented' zero-emission vehicle program to a rule 'not being enforced,' making the trigger easier to meet.

The language for adjusting carbon intensity standards was clarified to require proportional reductions in fuel emissions relative to the state's overall climate goals, rather than just meeting a specific percentage.

New requirements mandate the department to harmonize rules with other states' clean fuel programs and establish a stakeholder panel to incentivize carbon sequestration on agricultural and forest lands.

ENFORCEMENT

The list of civil penalties subject to appeal by the pollution control hearings board was updated to reference the new section numbers in this act.

TECHNICAL

Section numbers were renumbered throughout the bill to accommodate the addition of new sections and the removal of an old one.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Apr 21, 2025

How they voted

2723
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Apr 15, 2025
D Democratic31
26 Yea 4 Nay 1
83% Yea
R Republican20
1 Yea 19 Nay
95% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
42
Key actions
23
Committee
21
May 17, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed final passage; yeas, 54; nays, 43; absent, 0; excused, 1.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendments.
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (27-23-1)
senate
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Environment, Energy & Technology.
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 12:00 PM.
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors