Senate committee hears bill to update motor fuel law to cover hydrogen, electricity

The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 6269, which would amend the Motor Fuel Quality Act to include gaseous products and electricity in the legal definition of "motor fuel." Committee staff said the change would let the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) inspect and test newer fuel types and that WSDA identified no fiscal impact.

Lisonbee Halpern, acting assistant director for the plant protection division at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, told the committee the current definition is "outdated, like, really outdated," and that the update would give the weights-and-measures program authority to inspect and test gaseous motor fuels such as hydrogen to ensure they meet ASTM and other national standards. "Updating the definition sections might seem like a really small act, but it does give our weights and measures program the authority to inspect and test the quality of gaseous motor fuels like hydrogen gas," Halpern said.

Stephanie Selt, senior energy policy specialist who leads the Office of Renewable Fuels at the Washington State Department of Commerce, said the bill clarifies WSDA’s role in regulating hydrogen fueling stations and noted recent state support for hydrogen projects. "Approximately $4,000,000 in state appropriations and grants have been allocated to the Douglas PUD hydrogen project, and they opened the state's first public hydrogen fueling station in June 2025," Selt said. She told the committee that removing the separate definition of "alternative fuel" would not exclude biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity or other renewable fuels under the proposed new definition.

Kelsey Hulse, speaking for Douglas County PUD, urged support and described the utility’s experience bringing the state's first publicly accessible hydrogen fueling station online and plans for additional stations and a public green electrolytic hydrogen production facility. Hulse said the bill is "the first step" to integrate hydrogen fueling infrastructure into Washington’s existing regulatory framework and to ensure consistent oversight.

The chair closed the public hearing after staff reported testifier counts (pro 9, con 2, other 0). There was no floor vote on SB 6269 recorded in the committee transcript during this session; committee members did not take action during the hearing portion.