SB 5466 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Improving reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system in Washington state.

Senate Bill 5466 aims to improve the reliability and capacity of Washington state's electric transmission system, affecting all electricity users and providers. It proposes creating the Washington Electric Transmission Authority, a centralized body tasked with enhancing the state's power grid. This authority would engage in long-term planning, coordinate siting and permitting for new transmission lines, and develop upgrades to existing infrastructure. Its purpose is to support the state's clean energy goals, increase grid resilience during extreme weather events, and maintain affordable energy rates.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third Substitute Bill → Engrossed Substitute Bill · 12 edits · Mar 10, 2025

MAJOR

The bill was updated from a 'Third Substitute' to an 'Engrossed' version, reflecting final legislative changes before becoming law. Key updates include shifting the legislative session year from 2026 to 2025, adjusting the bill sponsor committee from Ways & Means to Environment, Energy & Technology, and refining the creation and operation of the Washington Electric Transmission Authority. The changes streamline the authority's board composition, update reporting deadlines to align with the 2025 session, and modify how the authority interacts with utilities and manages project sales.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on improving electric transmission reliability and capacity, but the applicability of specific timelines and reporting requirements has been adjusted to reflect the current 2025 legislative session rather than the projected 2026 session.

TIMELINE

Changed the legislative session from 2026 to 2025 and updated the 'Read First Time' date from February 9, 2026, to February 19, 2025.

SCOPE

Updated the committee sponsorship from Senate Ways & Means to Senate Environment, Energy & Technology.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the Washington Electric Transmission Authority's purpose to emphasize community microgrids, distributed energy resources, and energy conservation more explicitly.

Reduced the number of board members from 10 to 9 and removed specific expertise requirements for consumer-owned and investor-owned utility representatives.

Changed the initial report deadline for the Authority from December 1, 2027, to December 1, 2025.

Updated the transmission needs assessment deadline from October 30, 2032, to October 30, 2031.

Revised the criteria for selling transmission projects to allow the Authority to continue owning a project if it determines it is in the public interest, rather than being required to sell to the highest bidder.

Adjusted the distribution of local investment commitment fees to be based on treaty ceded areas or usual and accustomed places rather than reservation boundaries.

Replaced the Tribal Clean Energy Partnership Work Group with a new section focusing on categorical exemptions for transmission upgrades and specific notification requirements for archaeological and cultural resources.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Grid-enhancing technologies' and 'Reconductoring with advanced conductors' to clarify technical capabilities.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section allowing the Utilities and Transportation Commission to offer an incentive rate of return on investment for utilities deploying grid-enhancing technologies and advanced conductors.

FISCAL

Updated the list of state accounts eligible to receive earnings from the treasury income account, removing several transportation-related accounts and adding climate and education accounts.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to create a new 'Washington Electric Transmission Authority' instead of an 'Office' within the Department of Commerce, establishing it as a more independent body with a nine-member Board of Directors. The changes expand the authority's powers to include partnerships, specific roles in environmental reviews, and a clear plan for divesting owned assets. Key updates include shifting the responsibility for transmission planning from the Department of Commerce to the new Authority, adding new definitions for 'nonwires alternatives,' and adjusting deadlines for initial reports and assessments.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from creating an administrative office within an existing department to establishing a standalone Authority with its own board, broader powers to enter partnerships, and specific mandates for tribal consultation and asset divestiture.

SCOPE

Changed the entity from the 'Washington Electric Transmission Office' within the Department of Commerce to the 'Washington Electric Transmission Authority,' implying greater independence and operational flexibility.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'nonwires alternative,' defining it as investments intended to defer or remove the need to construct new grid components.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Authority to develop and publish a plan for divesting ownership of transmission facilities once they are no longer necessary for public purposes.

Added specific mandates for the Authority to serve as the lead agency for the State Environmental Policy Act and tribal consultation on transmission projects.

Added a requirement that the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation must ensure consultation occurs with tribes regarding ceded treaty areas, not just usual and accustomed areas.

Added a requirement for the Authority to collect and distribute local investment commitment fees to counties, cities, towns, and tribes based on project impact.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the deadline for the initial transmission needs assessment from June 30, 2026, to October 30, 2026, and moved the request for bonding authority legislation from October 1, 2026, to November 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the criteria for selling transmission projects to clarify that the Authority is not required to sell to the highest bidder and can continue developing a project if it serves the public interest.

Substitute Bill → Second Substitute Bill · 14 edits

MAJOR

This bill was revised to update the legislative session year from 2025 to 2026 and significantly expanded the scope of the new Washington Electric Transmission Authority. The changes include adding specific expertise requirements for board members (such as consumer-owned utilities and ratepayer protection), clarifying the Authority's ability to own transmission facilities, and establishing a new Tribal Clean Energy Partnership Work Group to facilitate tribal participation in clean energy projects.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include more specific expertise requirements for the Authority's board, added provisions for tribal consultation and partnership, and clarified the Authority's powers regarding facility ownership and eminent domain.

TIMELINE

Updated the legislative session from the 2025 Regular Session to the 2026 Regular Session and adjusted the 'Read First' date accordingly.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the list of RCW sections the bill reenacts and amends to include multiple instances of RCW 43.84.092, reflecting broader legislative intent.

Added a requirement for the Authority to consult in advance with all electric utilities serving retail customers in areas where Authority projects may be located.

Established a new Tribal Clean Energy Partnership Work Group within the Department of Commerce to develop pathways for tribal participation in clean energy development and infrastructure.

Added a requirement for the Authority to ensure work on transmission projects is performed by qualified electrical employees or contractors utilizing registered apprenticeship programs.

Added a requirement for the Authority to coordinate with the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority to provide conduit financing for eligible partners.

Expanded the Authority's powers to include issuing gifts, grants, and donations, and clarified the ability to own electric transmission equipment and systems.

Added a new section requiring the Authority to update its transmission corridor identification study by October 30, 2032, and every five years thereafter.

Added a new section creating a confidential information regime for critical energy infrastructure information to protect sensitive technical and business data.

Added a new section establishing a Tribal Clean Energy Partnership Work Group within the Department of Commerce to develop pathways for tribal participation in clean energy development.

Modified the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) exemptions to clarify that utility-related activities for existing transmission lines of 115,000 volts and above are categorically exempt, with specific conditions for tribal consultation and resource surveys.

Added a new section requiring the Authority to coordinate with the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority to provide conduit financing for eligible partners.

Modified the expiration and effective date provisions for various sections of the bill to align with the new legislative session and future dates.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Consumer-owned utility' and 'Investor-owned utility' to clarify the types of entities involved in the transmission system.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025

How they voted

31–20

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 10, 2025

D Democratic31

30 Yea 1 Nay

96% 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

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Environment & Energy.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 1:30 PM.

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Environment, Energy & Technology.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action 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