Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1903: Low-income energy assistance
Status: Vetoed, March 30, 2026
Establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program.
What the bill says
An act Relating to establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program; amending RCW 19.405.120 and 70A.65.260; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program; amending RCW 19.405.120 and 70A.65.260; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is an urgent need for stronger policy and a new program option to secure universally accessible low-income energy bill assistance and reduce the over $270,000,000 biennial energy burden in Washington. Many income-eligible households do not have sufficient support. The department of commerce November 2024 study of options for a statewide energy assistance program in Washington lays out core features of a just system to expand and secure access to energy affordability measures. To address present and widening disparities in household access to energy assistance will require easier applications, safe data sharing, low barrier eligibility determinations, systematic processes for filling in gaps in the reach of existing programs, and guaranteed funding sources. The recommended program design promotes a more centralized approach to energy assistance. Key elements include those that reduce administrative burdens, but also improve the experience and likelihood that an eligible household receives assistance. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows: The definitions in this section apply throughout sections 3 and 4 of this act …
Sponsors
- Sharlett Mena (D) · primary sponsor
- Liz Berry (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Sharon Santos (D)
- Jamila Taylor (D)
- Shaun Scott (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Darya Farivar (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
- Gerry Pollet (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 252, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor partially vetoed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 70; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 11, 2026): 70 yea, 26 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 6, 2026): 35 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass as amended by Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology (March 2, 2026): 15 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 7 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 14, 2026): 60 yea, 33 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass (February 7, 2026): 21 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: UTILITIES, PUBLIC FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS, LOW-INCOME PERSONS, COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF
Common questions
- What is HB1903?
- HB1903 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Low-income energy assistance.
- What does HB1903 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program; amending RCW 19.405.120 and 70A.65.260; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1903?
- Vetoed as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1903?
- Sharlett Mena (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1903?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1903&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.