HB 1497 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Improving outcomes associated with waste material management systems.

House Bill 1497 aims to enhance waste material management systems, particularly for organic materials, in Washington State. It directs the Department to develop a statewide education and outreach program by January 1, 2029, focusing on residential organic waste separation and contamination reduction, providing resources for local governments. The bill also updates eligibility for grant programs that support waste management initiatives for various entities, including local governments and businesses. Additionally, it mandates that new waste collection containers provided to customers, such as for residential and commercial services, be color-coded starting January 1, 2028, to help reduce contamination.

Issues: ✓ Environment

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 22, 2025 Signed May 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Passed Legislature · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was formally certified as passed by the legislature and includes substantive updates to organic waste collection rules. Key changes include adding specific exemptions for jurisdictions transitioning to color-coded containers, clarifying fee structures to exempt those using alternative waste management, and mandating that jurisdictions must grant exemptions for customers managing their own organic waste. Additionally, a new provision explicitly protects individuals from penalties for improper disposal when using beneficial management methods like composting.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific exemptions for charitable programs and jurisdictions with infeasible transition plans, and clarified the applicability of penalties regarding beneficial waste management practices.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection (d) to the container color-coding requirements, allowing jurisdictions to petition for exemptions for charitable programs or if color-coding is infeasible.

Changed the exemption process for customers managing their own organic waste from optional ('may') to mandatory ('must') for jurisdictions.

FISCAL

Added a provision prohibiting jurisdictions from charging fees to individuals who manage organic materials through alternative mechanisms like composting or animal feed.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new clause stating that individuals cannot be penalized for improper disposal if they are using beneficial management methods like on-site composting or self-hauling.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add a new requirement for jurisdictions to provide color-coded waste containers only for containers purchased on or after August 1, 2025, protecting existing inventory. The bill also added exemptions for charitable programs and jurisdictions with infeasible color-coding, extended the deadline for labeling requirements to January 1, 2028, and reduced the font size for labels on large containers from 10 inches to 5 inches. Additionally, the bill was reorganized to include new sections on compostable product labeling and expanded the list of decisions appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a new section on compostable product labeling and a broader list of appealable decisions for the Pollution Control Hearings Board. Applicability was modified to grandfather in existing waste containers and provide exemptions for specific charitable or infeasible scenarios.

REQUIREMENT

Added a grandfather clause requiring color-coded waste containers only for containers purchased on or after August 1, 2025, exempting previously purchased functional containers.

Added new exemptions allowing jurisdictions to use non-standard colors for charitable fundraising programs or if color-coding is not feasible.

Reduced the minimum font height for labels on large waste containers from 10 inches to 5 inches.

Added requirements for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide grants for food waste reduction infrastructure and educational resources in schools.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for waste container labeling requirements from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028.

SCOPE

Added a new section granting exemptions for paper-based cooking sheets regarding specific compostable product marking requirements.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the list of decisions that can be appealed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board to include various environmental and resource management permits and orders.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2025 · House Apr 22, 2025

How they voted

29–22

Passed

Total votes 51

Apr 16, 2025

D Democratic31

28 Yea 3 Nay

90% 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

Key actions

Committee

May 17, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 59; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 2.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (29-22)

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 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.

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