Washington AG Proposed Legislation to Prevent Electricity and Water Shutoffs During Heat Waves

On October 13, 2022, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, along with state Senator Joe Nguyen, announced plans to propose legislation that will protect residents from having their electricity or water shut off during extreme heat waves, which have become more and more frequent in Washington. AG Ferguson explained that this legislation will further both environmental justice and ratepayer protection goals, and pointed to similar legislation in other states

On February 28, 2023, AG Ferguson announced that the state House has passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 64-31.

On April 21, 2023, AG Ferguson announced that Governor Jay Inslee had signed the bill into a law. “This will provide a tangible, important, life-saving benefit to Washingtonians,” AG Ferguson said in a statement.

• Documents: HB 1329 - 2023-24WA Press Release - Legislation Proposed, October 2022WA Press Release - Legislation Passed House, February 2023WA Press Release - Bill Signed into Law, April 2023
• Document Type: Press Releases/Statements
• States: Washington
• Issues: Climate Adaptation & Resilience Climate Resilience Consumer Protection Effects of Climate Change Energy & Energy Efficiency Environmental Justice Natural & Climate Disasters Public Health Utilities & Rates Water
• Era: Non-Federal
• Action Type: Other