Bill > HB1594

This bill addresses increased school transportation and operating costs resulting from the Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a cap and invest program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill modifies the existing climate commitment account to include a new provision for offsetting school-related costs and establishes a mechanism for calculating and allocating additional funds to school districts. Specifically, by September 1, 2026, the Department of Commerce must calculate a "school utility impact percentage" for each school district, which measures the percentage increase in utility costs due to the CCA's compliance requirements. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will then use this calculation to allocate additional funds from the climate commitment account. For transportation costs, each school district will receive an allocation equal to its student transportation funding multiplied by 1.166%, and for utility costs, districts will receive an allocation equal to half of their existing utilities and insurance allocation multiplied by their individual utility impact percentage. These allocations are separate from the state's basic education program and are designed to help schools manage the potential financial burden created by the climate commitment act's emissions regulations. The provisions will take effect on September 1, 2026, giving time for the calculation methodology to be developed and implemented.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1594&Year=2025&Initiative=false