House approves narrower compliance thresholds for fuels under Climate Commitment Act after amendment fight
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Summary
House Bill 22 15 passed after contested amendment votes that debated Department of Ecology rulemaking authority and thresholds for new fuel entrants; supporters said it closes loopholes and levels the playing field, opponents warned of price effects for rural and agricultural communities.
House Bill 22 15, addressing Climate Commitment Act (CCA) compliance obligations for fuels, passed the House after an extended floor debate over amendments that would limit Department of Ecology rulemaking authority and set compliance thresholds for new market entrants.
Representative Fitzgibbon and other supporters said the measure closes loopholes that allowed LLCs and new entrants to avoid CCA obligations, undermining a level playing field for fuel distributors who have been complying with the law. Representative Fitzgibbon said the bill helps ensure ‘‘those who are following the law…are engaging on a level playing field.’'
Representative Dye pushed amendments that would restrict Ecology’s ability to change compliance obligations through rulemaking, arguing the market for allowances is complex and participants need predictability. Dye warned such changes could make market participants less safe.
Opponents, including Representatives Abel and McIntyre, argued the change could increase fuel costs for rural residents and hit agriculture hard; Representative Abel characterized the bill as ‘‘another tax on rural Washingtonians.’’ Representative Dye and others debated the economic impacts, citing past price impacts in California.
The House adopted several amendments after division and roll-call votes. Engrossed second substitute House Bill 22 15 was declared passed with a roll call of 57 yays, 38 nays, and 3 excused.
What happens next: The bill advances to the next step in the legislative process and implementation questions center on how Ecology will exercise (or be limited in) any remaining rulemaking authority and how compliance thresholds are applied to new market entrants.