Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2296: Distributed energy resources
Status: Signed into law, March 23, 2026
Expanding the use of distributed energy resources.
What the bill says
An act Relating to expanding the use of distributed energy resources; and adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to expanding the use of distributed energy resources; and adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows: (1) The commission must allow an electrical or natural gas company to invest in programs that achieve energy conservation and improve the efficiency of energy end use of single-family and multifamily rental housing in lieu of requiring a contribution from the premises owner to finance measures that would be cost-effective in the aggregate. The commission may allow the company to earn a return on cost-effective investments made under this section over a duration of time that reduces the customer's energy burden and minimizes the investment's impact on the customer's bill while providing a return on equity that incentivizes the company to make such an investment. (2) The electrical or natural gas company shall prioritize investments made under this section on single-family and multifamily rental housing to reduce the energy burden of low-income customers, vulnerable populations, and customers in highly impacted communities while meeting the customer's comfort and productivity needs. (3) Investments made under this section must be secured through the meter and recovered through the regular billing paid by the tenant, including any successor tenant, or owner of the premises. If the bill …
Sponsors
- Hall, Zach (D) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Callan (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Joe Fitzgibbon (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Davina Duerr (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Chris Stearns (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 136, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : House concurred in Senate amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 11, 2026): 95 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (March 6, 2026): 45 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 56 yea, 38 nay, passed
- House Committee on Environment & Energy: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 2, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: UTILITIES
Common questions
- What is HB2296?
- HB2296 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Distributed energy resources.
- What does HB2296 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to expanding the use of distributed energy resources; and adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2296?
- Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2296?
- Hall, Zach (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2296?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2296&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.