Track the progress of Audubon Washington's priority bills below during this short 2024 legislative session.
- Step 1: Join our ACTION NETWORK to receive weekly legislative update emails in your inbox with the key action that we need that week to pass this agenda.
- Step 2: Send your first email to your local legislator asking them to support environmental priorities.
- Step 3: Support bills below by clicking "Take Action" in the "Status" column. We will update the column weekly throughout the legislative session with the most impactful action you can take to support that bill.
Note: we’ve broken the following table into “top priorities” and “other priority legislation." If there are bills you think we should be tracking, please let us know!
POLICY PRIORITY LATEST UPDATE
| TOP PRIORITIES | POSITION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
100% Clean School Buses This legislation Requires school buses purchased by public kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) schools to be zero emission school buses beginning 2033, and requires 70 percent of school bus purchases to be zero emission beginning 2030. The bill would be funded through the Climate Commitment Act, , helping our schools, and improving our kids’ health. Using $60.5 million from the supplemental budget, we can help meet the need and growing demand for clean buses. Last year, 182 electric school buses were waitlisted for federal grants and Washington State should step in to purchase these buses right now. --- Legislation: HB 1368 |
Support |
This bill passed the Senate and the House. It now heads to Governor Inslee's desk. --- Thank your legislator for voting YES (note: this action will only work if your legislator voted yes). |
|
Hold Oil Companies Accountable This legislation requires the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to gather reporting of detailed pricing, profit margin, and transaction data held by fuel suppliers, refinery operators, and others in the transportation fuels supply chain. The UTC would then analyze and report to the governor, Legislature, and public on that data, including retail fuel prices and the profits of the industry as a whole and major firms within it. The bill would also protect consumers from corporate “greenwashing,” when companies make false claims about their climate commitments to manipulate consumers. --- Legislation: SB 6052 |
Support |
This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
|
Fighting Plastic Pollution with the Re-WRAP Act The legislation proposes the establishment of a system funded and managed by producers to address used packaging and paper products. Producers would be required to join a producer responsibility organization, report annually on their activities, and contribute to the program's costs. The bill outlines a comprehensive framework, including the development of five-year plans by producer organizations to manage covered materials, with specified recycling, source reduction, and reuse targets. It also introduces requirements for postconsumer recycled content in various products, such as plastic containers and cups, with specific timelines and penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation establishes an advisory council to review and advise on different aspects of the program. --- Legislation: HB 2049 |
Support |
This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
|
Fair Access to Community Solar Act This legislation establishes a community solar bill crediting program, allowing participants in community solar projects to earn credits on their utility bills based on their share of the generated electricity. Additionally, the bill mandates that at least 50% of community solar project subscribers must be low-income ratepayers or organizations serving low-income families, ensuring that the benefits of bill savings are directed towards marginalized communities. The initiative seeks to address barriers preventing many Washington residents from accessing solar energy and aims to stimulate the state's economy by promoting community solar expansion. --- |
Support | This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
| OTHER PRIORITY LEGISLATION | POSITION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Concerning the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides
This legislation, effective January 1, 2026, prohibits the general public from using neonicotinoid pesticides on outdoor plants in Washington State, except when applied by licensed applicators or during agricultural commodity production. It also mandates regular review and updates of rules pertaining to neonicotinoid pesticides by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). --- Legislation: SSB 5972 |
Neutral |
This bill was gutted in the House Committee on Appropriations and is no longer a priority. |
|
Studying the Effects of Avian Predation of Salmon
This legislation establishes a work group to study the impact of avian predation on salmon. The work group would be composed of members from various entities, including Indian tribes, wildlife agencies, and fishing organizations. The work group is tasked with identifying avian species contributing to salmon predation, assessing their population and consumption levels, proposing remedies, and suggesting regulatory measures. --- Legislation: HB 2293 |
Support |
We helped to greatly improve this bill to ensure a more inclusive and science-driven work group. --- This bill passed out of the Senate. The next stop is Governor Inslee's desk! |
|
Promoting Pollinator Habitat This legislation mandates that for project, commercial building, or residential building permits involving landscaping, local governments must require applicants to allocate at least 25 percent of the planted area as pollinator habitat. Additionally, the local government is obligated to supply the permit applicant with a list of native forage plants. --- Legislation: SB 5934 |
Support |
This bill passed out of the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor's desk. |
|
Fighting Plastic Pollution with a Bottle Bill This legislation creates a Deposit Return System (DRS) for beverage containers, where beverage distributors are required to join a Distributor Responsibility Organization (DRO). The DRO would operate the recycling and reuse system for beverage containers, funded by unredeemed refunds and contributions from distributors. The legislation mandates that the DRO submit plans and annual reports for approval, ensuring compliance with specified reuse and recycling rates. Consumers would pay a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers and redeem the amount at designated drop locations, with the refunded funds credited to individual online accounts for each consumer. --- Legislation: HB 2144 |
Support |
This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
|
Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors This legislation aims to address wildlife-vehicle collisions by establishing the Washington Wildlife Corridors and Crossings Accounts. It emphasizes collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement a comprehensive Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Action Plan. The legislation outlines specific funding sources, authorized uses for the accounts, and requirements for biennial reports, with a focus on protecting and enhancing wildlife corridors, constructing crossing structures, and incorporating wildlife considerations into transportation planning. Additionally, the bill mandates strategic actions, habitat protection strategies, and regular updates to the Action Plan to ensure effective implementation and progress in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. --- Legislation: SB 6237 |
Support |
This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
|
Assessing Agricultural Lands for Clean Energy Production This legislation introduces a plan to assess the suitability of unused and underutilized state-owned lands for agricultural and renewable energy purposes. The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the State Conservation Commission, will evaluate lands for agricultural potential and promote agricultural opportunities, with a focus on reaching historically underserved communities. The Washington State University energy program will assess lands unsuitable for agriculture for their potential in renewable energy production. --- Legislation: HB 2336 |
Support | This bill will not advance in the 2024 legislative session. |
How you can help, right now
Be the Voice for Birds
Decision makers need to hear from you. Sign up for Audubon Washington's Action Alerts and you will have an opportunity to weigh in on proposals that impact birds.
Get Involved
Birds need YOU! Get involved in helping to preserve our birds and their habitats today. There is something for everyone!
Take Action on Climate Change
Does your decision maker know that climate change is number one threat to birds? Ask for their help to protect the birds, the places, and the planet we love.
