SB 5359 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Accelerating the development of clean energy and transmission.

SB 5359 directs Washington's Department of Commerce to accelerate clean energy project development and transmission planning. It establishes the department as the lead agency to provide information, support tribes and communities, develop community benefit tools, and address siting challenges for projects like battery storage systems. The bill directly affects clean energy developers, local governments, tribes, and communities hosting projects by creating a state coordination framework for faster permitting and equitable benefits. Key provisions include requiring a 2026 report on battery storage best practices and developing guidance for community agreements to ensure local economic benefits.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove the creation of a new 'Clean Energy Development Office' and instead mandate that the Department of Commerce directly handle clean energy siting and development as a priority. The scope was narrowed by removing specific mandates for electrical transmission planning and hydrogen pipelines, while shifting the focus of battery energy storage work to include emergency responders and updating the legal basis for environmental impact statements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from establishing a new independent office to assigning duties directly to the existing Department of Commerce, and the specific mandate for electrical transmission and hydrogen pipeline planning was removed.

SCOPE

Eliminated the creation of a new 'Clean Energy Development Office' within the Department of Commerce, replacing it with direct departmental responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT

Narrowed the department's duties by removing specific requirements to plan for electrical transmission corridors and hydrogen pipelines.

Updated the battery energy storage work group to include emergency responders and changed the legal reference for environmental impact statements from RCW 28C.18.210 to RCW 43.21C.535.

Removed the requirement for the department to submit a report on a 'build-ready clean energy program' by July 1, 2026.

Expanded the department's authority to collaborate with the existing 'interagency clean energy siting coordinating council' established under RCW 43.394.010.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors