Encouraging local support of communities that host renewable energy through changes in tax policy.

 H-1405.1

HOUSE BILL 1994

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Representatives Klicker and Dye

Read first time 02/18/25. Referred to Committee on Finance.

AN ACT Relating to encouraging local support of communities that host renewable energy through changes in tax policy; adding a new chapter to Title 82 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislative authority of any county may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters at a special or general election and, if the proposition is approved by a majority of the persons voting, may impose an excise tax on the nameplate capacity of industrial-scale renewable energy facilities sited within the county subject to the restrictions of this section. The title of each ballot measure must clearly state the purposes for which the proposed tax may be used.

(2) The rate of the tax may not exceed the following rates adjusted annually for inflation beginning January 1, 2026, based upon changes in the consumer price index for the most recent 12-month period available as of December 1st of the current calendar year: