b'2022 State ReportWashington WireREGISTRATION IS OPEN The legislature spent much of its time attempting to fix mistakes WA made in recent sessions. Though Republicans failed in their ef- Washington Energy and C-Storeforts to repeal and replace the WA Cares Act (long-term care) the Conference legislature did opt to delay the program until next year. They also made some modest changes to the police reforms enacted last session in the face of substantial blowback from law enforcement The Washington Independent Energy Distributors arguing the new reforms resulted in them being unable pursue are very pleased to bring you a fantastic line up of events, suspected felons, among other limitations. The Democrats only networking opportunities and speakers at the WA Energy and considered one of many bills designed to curtail the governors C-Store Conference.emergency powers and did not even elect to pass SB 5909; a Visit our website at www.wpma.com/washington for details onweak half measure the governor claimed would not interfere with the schedule, hotel reservations, and exhibiting opportunities!his ability to run the state under his emergency powers. The result is that the Governor will be free to continue the use of his emer-Highlights include: gency powers; now extending into year three.Motivational Speaker Mike SchlappiPriority Issue for 2022 will be joining us on Tuesday eveningSB 5974 - $17 billion Transportation Revenue Packagefor a dinner engagement! Exported Fuel Tax:This transportation revenue bill was passedGeneral Business Speakers to includeon a party-line vote and will spend $17 billion over a 16-yearDenton Cinquegrana with OPIS and period. While it provides funding for new highway projects and Jeff Hove with Fuels Institute to discussinvests in operation and maintenance, almost half of the package relevant topics in electrification of WAis designated for bike lanes, pedestrian corridors, multi-modal and the state of affairs in the futures ofand green transportation initiatives.the oil markets. The original bill sought to generate over $2 billion from an exported fuel tax of six cents per gallon. This would have im- Golf Tournament on Prospector Course.Motivational Speaker pacted nearly half of fuel exports from Washington refineries and Mike Schlappi Dont forget to get your hotel rooms earlyseverely impact WI/ED members supplying fuel to neighboring for the best rate and availability! Go tostates. We worked with our Washington allies and enlisted the www.wpma.com/washington for link. help of lobbyists from neighboring states to defeat the tax. In the end, an effective campaign threatening legal action and retalia-2022 Legislative Session tory measures convinced budget writers to abandon this poorly thought-out measure.End Report We had about one day to celebrate our victory when lawmakersturned to the Model Toxic Control Act account (MTCA) to On Thursday, March 10,the 2022 Regular Session of thereplace the exported fuel tax. Ultimately, we were successful in Washington State Legislature came to a close. The session beganswamping this plan and the budget gap was closed using additional in the darkness of the Omicron surge and ended with some opti- general fund money and money from a public works account.mism with just over 24 hours until the expiration of WashingtonsBorder Area Local-Option Fuel Tax:Section 502 of theindoor mask mandate. Yet still, the session saw many of the sameRevenue Package amended existing law providing for a one-cent COVID-19 restrictions as last year, most notably the closure ofper gallon tax on fuel to two-cents per gallon. This tax is only legislators offices to constituents, lobbyists, and most staff. available to cities or towns located within ten miles of borderAs a result, this years session was again virtual for lobbyists andjurisdictions and can only be enacted by a majority of voters members of the public. Despite the continued insistence of thewithin the city or town proposing the tax. We tried to removemajority party that this virtual session resulted in more transpar- this provision but lost any leverage we may have had byency than any other in history, the lack of access to staff and leg- defeating the exported fuel tax.islators, along with private Zoom meetings held by negotiators,Mandatory Electric Vehicle Target:Section 415 of themeant that we did not see many final legislative proposals untilRevenue Package creates a target that all passenger and light hours before they were debated and brought to a vote.duty vehicles of a model year of 2030 or later that are sold, 56 www.wpma.com / Spring 2022'