Washington § 43.330.620 - Statewide low-income energy assistance program — Definitions. (Expires June 30, 2035.)

The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.330.625 and *section 4 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Coadministrator" means a participating utility that has voluntarily entered into an agreement with the department to perform any or all administrative tasks associated with implementing the statewide low-income energy assistance program. The scope of the administrative duties of a utility choosing to serve as coadministrator are to be established under the agreement between the utility and department under RCW 43.330.625(3).

(2) "Community action council" has the same meaning as "community action agency" in RCW 43.185C.010.

(3) "Energy assistance" means monetary assistance, such as a grant program, affordability benefits, or discounts for low-income households, that lowers a low-income household's energy burden.

(4) "Energy assistance need" means the amount of assistance necessary to achieve an energy burden equal to six percent for utility customers.

(5) "Energy burden" has the same meaning as in RCW 19.405.020.

(6) "Low-income" has the same meaning as in RCW 19.405.020.

(7) "Participating utility" means a utility that has affirmatively elected to participate in the statewide low-income energy assistance program established in RCW 43.330.625 and whom the department has accepted to participate subject to available funds.

(8) This section expires June 30, 2035.

*Reviser's note: Section 4 of this act was vetoed.

Finding—Intent—2026 c 252: "(1) The legislature finds that there is an urgent need for stronger policy and a new program option to secure universally accessible low-income energy bill assistance and reduce the $275,000,000 annual energy burden in Washington. Many income-eligible households do not have sufficient support. The department of commerce November 2024 study of options for a statewide energy assistance program in Washington lays out core features of a just system to expand and secure access to energy affordability measures. To address present and widening disparities in household access to energy assistance will require easier applications, safe data sharing, low barrier eligibility determinations, systematic processes for filling in gaps in the reach of existing programs, and guaranteed funding sources. The recommended program design promotes a more centralized approach to energy assistance. Key elements include those that reduce administrative burdens, but also improve the experience and likelihood that an eligible household receives assistance.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature for the department of commerce to phase in this program across the state, working with the advisory group created in section 4 of this act to prioritize low-income households with energy assistance need.

(3) This section expires June 30, 2035." [ 2026 c 252 s 1.]

Nonseverability—2026 c 252: "This act is not severable, and if any provision of this act is held invalid, this entire act is null and void." [ 2026 c 252 s 6.]