Bill > SB5305

This bill establishes an environmental accelerator within the Office of Regulatory Assistance to provide regulatory flexibility for salmon recovery and ecological resiliency projects funded through the Climate Commitment Act. The accelerator will be led by an appointed administrator who will help entities receiving funding from specific climate-related accounts to identify and overcome regulatory barriers. Entities will be able to request regulatory relief, which may include waivers of state laws or rules for up to five years. The administrator will work with regulatory agencies to facilitate these relief efforts, maintain a registry of enrolled entities, and provide annual progress reports to the legislature. The bill defines key terms such as "ecological resiliency" (an ecosystem's ability to withstand climate change impacts) and "salmon recovery" (restoring habitat function and value for salmon populations). Additionally, the bill requires the joint legislative committee to evaluate the environmental accelerator's implementation by December 1, 2029, and provide recommendations on whether to continue the program. The accelerator aims to streamline environmental and ecological restoration projects by offering more flexible regulatory approaches while maintaining the ability of agencies to take necessary enforcement actions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5305&Year=2025&Initiative=false