SB 5036 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Strengthening Washington's leadership and accountability on climate policy by transitioning to annual reporting of statewide emissions data.

Senate Bill 5036 strengthens Washington's climate policy by transitioning to annual reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions data. It requires the Washington State Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce to annually report total emissions to the Governor and legislative committees, moving from a previous biennial schedule. These reports must include emissions data from major economic sectors and now specifically include greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires. The bill aims to improve accountability and better track progress toward Washington's established goals for reducing emissions and achieving net zero by 2050.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Dec 13, 2024 Signed May 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and certified for the 2025 Regular Session, adding official enrollment details and signatures. Substantive policy changes include updating the legislative intent to emphasize annual reporting for tracking climate progress and modifying reporting deadlines to extend through 2030 with specific interim summaries. A new section was added to provide free emissions allowances to natural gas utilities, with revenues from auctions used to benefit ratepayers, particularly low-income customers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include amendments to RCW 70A.65.130 regarding natural gas utility allowances, whereas the original version only amended RCW 70A.45.005 and 70A.45.020.

TIMELINE

Reporting deadlines were updated to require annual reports through 2030 and specific summary reports by December 31, 2027 and 2029.

REQUIREMENT

New reporting requirements mandate that the department post emissions data on its website in addition to reporting to the governor and legislature.

FISCAL

New provisions allocate free emissions allowances to natural gas utilities, with auction revenues returned to customers via bill credits or efficiency programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for no-cost allowances is now tied to natural gas utilities providing specific historical emissions reports to the department.

SCOPE

The bill text now includes a formal certificate of enrollment and passage details from the Senate and House.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 17, 2025 · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

32–19

Passed

Total votes 51

Apr 17, 2025

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% 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 2, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

lower

Apr 10, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (97-0-3)

house

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Environment & Energy.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:30 AM.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

WM - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

ENET - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors