Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5941: Schools/renewable energy
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts.
What the bill says
An act Relating to allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts; amending RCW 19.27.195 and 19.27A.020; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27A RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts; amending RCW 19.27.195 and 19.27A.020; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27A RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 19.27A RCW to read as follows: (1)(a) By January 1, 2027, the state building code council must amend the Washington state energy code to exempt an eligible school district from the requirement to include a renewable energy generation system in each new building or addition larger than 10,000 square feet of gross conditioned floor area. (b) The state building code council must not require an eligible school district to achieve additional efficiency package credits to qualify for the exemption in (a) of this subsection (1). (2) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Eligible school district" means a school district with enrollments that are less than or equal to 500 students and located in one or more of the counties specifically listed in RCW 19.27A.020 as one climate zone. (b) "Renewable energy generation system" has the same meaning as renewable energy system in RCW 82.16.110. Sec. 2. RCW 19.27.195 and 2019 c 235 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: The state building code council, in consultation with the department of commerce and local governments, shall conduct …
Sponsors
- Shelly Short (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : First reading, referred to Local Government.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : 1st substitute bill substituted
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 5, 2026): 45 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5941 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Common questions
- What is SB5941?
- SB5941 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Schools/renewable energy.
- What does SB5941 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to allowing limited exemptions to renewable energy systems requirements for certain school districts; amending RCW 19.27.195 and 19.27A.020; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27A RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5941?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5941?
- Shelly Short (R).
- Where is the official record for SB5941?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5941&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.