Washington SB 5208: Updating the process for online voter registration by allowing voter applicants to provide the last four digits of social security number for authentication.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to establishing a new clean energy fund program; 1
amending RCW 70A.65.260; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092 and 2
43.84.092; adding new sections to chapter 43.21F RCW; creating a new 3
section; providing effective dates; providing an expiration date; and 4
declaring an emergency.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:6
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that providing 7
funding to public and private entities under the requirements of this 8
act is fundamental to helping Washington meet the obligations set 9
forth in the state's environmental policies including, but not 10
limited to, the emissions reductions established under RCW 11
70A.45.020.12
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Subject to the availability of amounts 13
appropriated for this specific purpose, the department may offer 14
loans to aid projects that align with or implement Washington's 15
stated policy goals relating to fostering a prosperous clean energy 16
economy. Loans may be used to fund all or part of projects in 17
Washington for:18
(a) Acquiring electric or hydrogen vehicles, or charging and 19
refueling infrastructure for such vehicles;20
S-0419.1
SENATE BILL 5208
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators MacEwen and Dozier
Prefiled 01/09/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Environment, Energy & Technology.
p. 1 SB 5208

(b) Evaluating sites or providing technical assistance for new or 1
improved energy generation or transmission facilities;2
(c) Installing solar, wind, geothermal, or hydrogen equipment to 3
assist with meeting an eligible applicant's energy use requirements;4
(d) Developing advanced nuclear reactor technology including, but 5
not limited to, small modular reactors;6
(e) Decarbonizing an eligible applicant's facility;7
(f) Promoting research and development of new and emerging clean 8
energy generation or storage technology;9
(g) Modernizing the electrical grid; or10
(h) Researching and implementing clean energy technology that 11
specifically applies to agriculture or forestry.12
(2) Payments of principal and interest on loans awarded pursuant 13
to this section must be deposited into the clean energy fund account 14
created in section 5 of this act.15
(3) The department shall award loans in a manner as to ensure, to 16
the maximum extent practicable, that funds are proportionally 17
distributed among the greatest number of eligible projects during 18
each funding cycle.19
(4)(a) For loans offered to public or governmental entities, the 20
department may establish reduced or capped interest rates modeled on 21
interest rate options as provided in RCW 43.155.060 and 43.155.065.22
(b) Loans approved for nonpublic or private entities may not be 23
offered at an interest rate below the United States prime rate plus 24
two percent.25
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The following entities are eligible to 26
receive loans authorized under section 2 of this act:27
(1) Any person or organization engaging in business, broadly 28
defined to include all activities engaged in with the object of gain, 29
benefit, or advantage to the person or organization;30
(2) Any electric utility, as defined in RCW 19.29A.010;31
(3) Any corporation organized under Title 24 RCW;32
(4) Any operating agency or joint operating agency, as defined in 33
RCW 43.52.250;34
(5) Any political subdivision of the state of Washington; and35
(6) Any national laboratory with a facility located in 36
Washington.37
p. 2 SB 5208

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) When soliciting and evaluating 1
proposals, executing contracts, approving loans, and monitoring 2
projects funded under section 2 of this act, the department shall 3
conduct due diligence activities associated with the use of public 4
funds including, but not limited to, ensuring that applications, 5
contracts, and agreements fully comply with all applicable disclosure 6
and ethics laws.7
(2) If the department concludes that there has been a violation 8
of any law described in subsection (1) of this section relating to a 9
specific project funded under section 2 of this act, the department 10
in its sole discretion may cancel a loan and require the recipient to 11
repay any funds received. The department shall reserve its right to 12
pursue all available remedies under law to address violations and 13
repayment of any canceled loan.14
(3) The requirements of this section must be specified in funding 15
agreements issued by the department.16
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The clean energy fund account is 17
created in the state treasury. All receipts from appropriations and 18
transfers by the legislature; bond proceeds authorized by the 19
legislature; federal funds, grants, and other forms of financial 20
assistance; payment of principal and interest on loans awarded 21
pursuant to section 2 of this act; and any other lawful source must 22
be deposited into the account for uses consistent with this section. 23
Moneys in the account may b