Statewide Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

State Bills: Washington

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

Washington State enacted HB 1903 establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program. The bill (E2SHB 1903, C 252 L 26) passed during the 2025-26 biennium and was chaptered into law in 2026. The program will provide energy cost assistance to eligible low-income households in Washington State, with administration by a designated state agency.

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What changed

The Washington State Legislature passed HB 1903 creating a new statewide low-income energy assistance program. The bill progressed through committee hearings in both the House Environment & Energy Committee (February 2025) and House Appropriations Committee (February 2026), ultimately passing as Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903 and being codified as Chapter 252, Laws of 2026.

State agencies responsible for program administration should prepare to develop application processes, eligibility verification systems, and distribution mechanisms for energy assistance funds. Utilities and energy providers may be required to coordinate with the administering agency. Low-income households should monitor for program rollout announcements and eligibility requirements.

What to do next

State agencies: Prepare administrative infrastructure for program implementation
Energy providers: Coordinate with administering agency on program participation
Low-income consumers: Monitor for eligibility announcements when program launches

Source document (simplified)

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HB 1903 - 2025-26

Establishing a statewide low-income energy assistance program. Sponsors: Mena, Berry, Doglio, Parshley, Simmons, Santos, Taylor, Scott, Ramel, Farivar, Hill, Pollet, Duerr

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:42 PM

Current version:

Engrossed 2nd substitute - E2SHB 1903 (View 1st engrossed)

Current status:

C 252 L 26

Where is it in the process?

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:42 PM

Current version:

Engrossed 2nd substitute - E2SHB 1903 (View 1st engrossed)

Current status:

C 252 L 26

Where is it in the process?

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Bill history

View all roll calls on this bill

2025 Regular Session

In the House

Feb 7 First reading, referred to Environment & Energy. (View original bill) Feb 13 Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 20 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM. (Committee materials) ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 1st substitute) (Majority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Feb 21 Referred to Appropriations.

2026 Regular Session

In the House

Jan 12 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. Feb 5 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 7 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM. (Committee materials) APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 2nd substitute) (Majority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 9 Referred to Rules 2 Review. Feb 11 Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. Feb 14 2nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). (View 2nd substitute) Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 60; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 5. (View 1st engrossed) (View this roll call)

In the Senate

Feb 17 First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. Feb 18 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 24 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) ENET - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) And refer to Ways & Means. Feb 25 Referred to Ways & Means. Feb 27 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM. (Committee materials) Mar 2 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Environment, Energy & Technology. (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. Mar 3 Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. Mar 6 Committee amendment not adopted. Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View this roll call)

In the House

Mar 11 House concurred in Senate amendments. Passed final passage; yeas, 70; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View this roll call) Mar 12 Speaker signed.

In the Senate

Mar 12 President signed.

Other than legislative action

Mar 12 Delivered to Governor. (View bill as passed legislature) Mar 30 Governor partially vetoed. (View veto message) Chapter 252, 2026 Laws. Effective date 6/11/2026.