Read our legislative session wrap-up

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John,

Coming off the heels of an historic legislative session in 2021, the 2022 legislative session concluded with some major successes, a few disappointments, and groundwork for important ongoing efforts on climate change and salmon recovery.

First, the wins from this session…

The legislature passed Move Ahead Washington, a groundbreaking transportation $17 billion dollar funding package grounded in responsible climate policy, racial justice, and robust investments to better serve the public. These investments include:

The largest investments in transit and multi-modal (bike, pedestrian, etc.) access ever, and

Funding to reduce toxic stormwater reduction from existing roads and infrastructure,

What makes this package a big deal? For many decades, transportation funding focused on roads and supporting the dirtiest infrastructure needs. But we know transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state. The Move Ahead Washington package marks a new chapter where investments were designed to reduce climate pollution, improve public health, address health disparities, and provide more efficient options for getting around. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Marko Liias [[link removed]], Senator Rebecca Saldaña [[link removed]], and Representative Jake Fey [[link removed]] in crafting such a smart and innovative transportation package.

The second major win this session is the closure of the Growth Management Act (GMA) Sprawl Loophole. For decades, counties have been able to permit developments outside of growth areas that encroach on farmlands, forests, and critical habitats and impose significant costs to support sprawl. This year, this loophole has finally been addressed thanks in large part to the leadership of Senator Andy Billig [[link removed]], Senator Liz Lovelett [[link removed]], Senator Jesse Salomon [[link removed]], and Representative Joe Fitzgibbon [[link removed]].

Finally, with leadership from Senator Christine Rolfes [[link removed]], the new budget includes more than $120 million for high quality work to restore and improve salmon habitat. Salmon stocks across the state are in crisis, and stepping up our salmon recovery efforts will be a critical multi-year area of focus. Although more work is needed to save salmon and uphold treaties, the 2022 funding package recognizes the need to step up.

And now, the disappointments…

GMA Reform: A very important bill to add a climate goal to the state’s Growth Management Act , HB 1099, made it farther than ever before but fell short of passing into law. HB 1099 would have ensured that communities are planning in ways to reduce climate pollution and keep people safe from climate impacts such as wildfire, flooding, and sea level rise. Led by Representative Davina Duerr [[link removed]] and Senator Liz Lovelett [[link removed]], the final version of HB 1099 passed the Senate but House lawmakers failed to pass it before midnight on the last day of session.

Salmon Recovery: Another GMA bill to better integrate salmon recovery and land use planning, HB 1117, by Representative Debra Lekanoff [[link removed]] stumbled. Legislators failed to pass this into law this session. Similarly, the Lorraine Loomis Act would have strengthened salmon recovery by requiring green corridors of trees tall and wide enough to shade rivers and streams, keeping waters cool enough to support salmon. The Lorraine Loomis Act failed to make it out of policy committees in the House and the Senate. With salmon on the brink of extinction and funding in the budget to keep this work moving forward, we have big goals for the 2023 legislative session.

Buildings and Climate: A majority of bills to reduce climate pollution from buildings did not pass even though buildings are the fastest growing source of climate pollution. Some progress was made with the passage of SB 5722, led by Senator Joe Nguyen [[link removed]], which provided tools and incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. However, Representative Alex Ramel’s [[link removed]] bill, HB 1767, directing utilities to accelerate targeted electrification and support the customers transitioning away from fossil fuels failed to pass by House lawmakers. And a bill giving local communities the ability to adopt climate-smart building codes to reduce fossil fuel use, HB 1770 by Representative Davina Duerr [[link removed]], died in the Senate. As we tackle climate change with the urgency it requires, it’s essential that we reduce pollution across the board – in transportation, buildings, land use, and industrial operations.

Despite these disappointments, we find hope in the remarkable wins this year and in your passion and commitment. For example, at Environmental Week of Action this legislative session, more than 300 of you participated and met with legislators to have your voices heard for people and the environment.

The 2022 legislative session brought us some victories and some notable misses, but we remain steadfast in pushing for progress on unfinished business next session ---- the Legislature must move with more urgency on addressing climate pollution and salmon recovery, there is no question about that. In the months ahead, you will hear more about what comes next. In the meantime, we are pausing to take a breath and finding time to recharge outside.

Thank you for all you do–your participation in democracy on behalf of people, the environment, and our futures inspires us!

Forward [link removed] Washington Conservation Voters

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