2025 legislative review
Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, is chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
the legislature, appetite for consideration of these programs remain strong.
SB 5284 expended producer responsibility bill
Passed / AWB Opposed sponsor: Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes
The Senate version of the extended producer responsibility program ended up passing the House by a margin of 51 to 45. AWB opposed this bill, as did the broader business community, although there were a number of AWB members who were in support. SB 5284 directs the Department of Ecology to stand up the details of the program, so it’ s too soon to say what the Washington EPR program will look like and how it will function. It’ s worth noting that California went through a similar process where their version of the Department of Ecology created the program and submitted to the Legislature for approval.
The cost impacts of that were $ 300 per household and several thousand dollars to business. Governor Newsom vetoed that bill on costs concerns, so that went back to the drawing board. While AWB isn’ t necessarily opposed to the idea of an EPR program, we believe that Washington should do a needs assessment before we construct the program. This bill does the needs assessment in parallel with standing up the program, which we feel is too late to provide thoughtful engagement on what that program should look like.
HB 1420 textiles expended producer responsibility
Failed / AWB Opposed sponsor: Rep. Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way
This bill, which passed policy committee, would have instituted an extended producer responsibility program for textiles, bedding, clothing and other upholstery products.
Given the far reach and large scope of this program, AWB opposed it. This bill will be returning next session.
HB 1107 concerning environmental impacts of fashion
Failed / AWB Opposed sponsor: Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma
In a similar vein, HB 1107 specifically went after“ fast fashion” textiles, and required sellers or importers of clothing to participate in an EPR program. This was a little duplicative of HB 1420 but this bill was focused primarily on retail sales of clothing as opposed to all textiles. AWB worked with the prime sponsor to express some of our concerns. Due to the similarity between this bill and HB 1420, the Legislature chose to pass HB 1420 with the extensive reporting requirements from this bill. Since HB 1420 is continuing to be discussed, this bill is likely not returning.
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