Assessing the feasibility of developing an affordability index for appliances sold into Washington state.
SB 6124 directs Washington's Department of Commerce to study whether creating an "affordability index" for household appliances is feasible. The study, due by January 2028, will examine criteria like repairability, lifespan, energy/water efficiency, and materials use to help consumers compare appliance costs and sustainability. It will specifically exclude consumer electronics (e.g., smartphones) and assess how to implement such an index, including stakeholder input and communication methods. The bill does not create the index itself but evaluates its potential to inform purchasing decisions and drive sustainable innovation.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Last action Feb 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered and its title updated to reflect it as a substitute version. The most significant policy change is the addition of a specific exclusion for consumer electronics, clarifying that the affordability index study will only cover traditional household appliances and not items like smartphones, computers, or smartwatches. This ensures the study focuses on durable goods with long lifespans rather than rapidly obsolete technology.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by explicitly excluding consumer electronics (smartphones, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and wearables) from the study's definition of appliances.
TECHNICAL
The bill's internal number was changed from S-3816.2 to S-4720.1, and the title was updated to 'Substitute Senate Bill 6124' to indicate it is an amended version.
TIMELINE
The date the bill was first read was updated from January 14, 2026, to February 4, 2026, and the sponsoring committee was formally identified.
DEFINITION
A new sentence was added to the study requirements to explicitly state that 'appliances' do not include consumer electronics such as smartphones, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and wearable devices.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
7
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 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Marko Liias
DDemocratic
Co
Sharon Shewmake
DDemocratic
Co
Steve Conway
DDemocratic
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