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Committee hears plan for statewide low‑income monthly energy assistance program
Summary
Staff and advocates told the House Appropriations Committee the substitute to HB 19‑03 would create a Commerce‑administered statewide program to reduce low‑income households' monthly energy burden, phased in by utility size and subject to appropriation, with illustrative funding of $30 million in FY2028 and implementation costs estimated in the low millions.
Megan McFadden, staff to the House Environment and Energy Committee, told the Appropriations Committee the proposed second substitute to House Bill 19‑03 would establish a statewide energy assistance program administered by the Department of Commerce that directs funds to reduce the percent of income low‑income households pay for energy bills. "This bill establishes a statewide program through the Department of Commerce to reduce the energy burden of low income households," McFadden said during the staff briefing.
The bill would require participating utilities to provide monthly bill assistance to qualifying low‑income customers; Commerce would either provide funds up‑front to utilities or reimburse them depending on utility size. Sustained funding is proposed from the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues, with a program start targeted for October 2027 and priority for areas with disproportionate need. Commerce would phase implementation subject to appropriation and must create rules, enrollment requirements, an advisory group and biennial program evaluations.
Fiscal staff described an illustrative funding scenario: a $30 million appropriation in fiscal year 2028, with roughly $27.8 million assumed available for grants and an estimated $2.8 million in 2027 for program development and IT costs. Staff also noted indeterminate impacts to participating utilities depending on final program design and reimbursement mechanics.
Proponents from low‑income and front‑line coalitions urged sustained funding and protections to prevent utilities from reducing existing benefits. Aksa Mengele of the Front and Center Coalition said more than 270,000 Washington households are energy burdened and a sustained monthly program is needed to address structural gaps. Utility stakeholders including Puget Sound Energy and rural co‑ops asked for clearer definitions of administrative reporting, voluntary participation, and reimbursement approaches so utilities are not assigned socioeconomic assessment duties they cannot perform.
Committee members did not advance any action at the hearing; staff and witnesses said the bill’s fiscal and design details remain subject to negotiation. The committee is scheduled to consider budget tradeoffs and any implementing language as the substitute moves through the process.
