Establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program.

The composition of the new advisory group was updated to mandate at least one member from a community organization, community action council, investor-owned utility, and consumer-owned utility, in addition to low-income household members.

A new provision was added stating that if a utility chooses to be a coadministrator, it may also choose to be the lead coadministrator.

The bill title was updated from 'Second Substitute' to 'Engrossed,' reflecting its progression through the legislative process.

Utilities are no longer required to join the statewide program immediately; they can opt-out if they assist at least 50% of low-income households.

The department must ensure benefit levels in the new program are at least as high as what customers received from their utility's existing programs last year.

The requirement for utilities to pass funds directly to customers on monthly bills was replaced with a reimbursement model for larger utilities.

Reimbursement rules now distinguish between large utilities (over 25,000 customers) who get paid after providing aid, and smaller utilities that may request upfront funding.

Compliance deadlines for utilities to either join the new program or prove they meet the 50% opt-out threshold were extended to July 1, 2028.

Low-income households can now apply directly to their utility if the utility has voluntarily agreed to act as a co-administrator.

The start date for the statewide low-income energy assistance program was delayed from July 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027.

The financial goal was updated from reducing over $270 million in biennial energy burden to reducing $275 million in annual energy burden.

Funding sources were expanded to include 'other state general fund dollars' in addition to climate commitment act auction revenues.

Mandatory opt-out provisions for gas and electric companies were removed; utilities can now participate voluntarily without a requirement to prove they already serve 50% of low-income households.

The requirement for the department to write rules was modified to include consultation with the utilities and transportation commission.

All references to amending RCW 70A.65.260 and the climate commitment account were deleted, removing the bill's connection to specific climate funding mechanisms.

The bill now explicitly states that utilities cannot reduce their existing low-income assistance levels as a result of participating in the new statewide program.