HB 1913
In CommitteeHouse
Public utility tax credit
Repealing the public utility tax credit for home energy assistance.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill repeals the Public Utility Tax Credit (PUTC), a refundable tax credit that helped low-income households offset utility costs. The credit has been available since 2001 and was most recently updated in 2020. After repeal, the credit will no longer be issued starting in January 2026.
- Repeals RCW 82.16.0497, the law that authorized the Public Utility Tax Credit (PUTC) for households receiving home energy assistance.
- Eliminates the credit that allowed qualifying low-income households to receive a refundable tax credit on their electric and natural gas bills.
- Removes the requirement for public utilities to collect and remit the credit on behalf of customers.
- repeals related statutory provisions from 2001, 2006, and 2020 laws that established or amended the PUTC program.
Who is affected
- Low- and moderate-income utility customers — Low- and moderate-income households who receive the Public Utility Tax Credit (PUTC) to help offset utility costs — they will no longer receive this credit starting in 2026.
- Public utilities (light, power, and gas distribution companies) — Electric and natural gas utilities that previously collected and remitted the PUTC on behalf of customers — they will no longer have this administrative responsibility after 2025.
- Washington State Department of Revenue and other relevant state agencies — State agencies that administer or oversee utility-related tax credits — they will no longer manage the PUTC program after repeal.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Concerns (3)
Elimination of the Public Utility Tax Credit (PUTC) will increase net utility costs for low- and moderate-income households by up to $300–$500 annually (based on historical credit amounts), disproportionately affecting households already spending 10–25% of income on energy.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1 repealing RCW 82.16.0497 and related provisionsBy removing a targeted utility cost offset, the bill undermines housing affordability for vulnerable households—especially seniors, people with disabilities, and families in mobile homes or older housing stock where energy inefficiency is common and utility burdens are highest.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1 repealing RCW 82.16.0497 and related provisionsThe state’s stated fiscal impact is misleading: the $11M “loss” is not a reduction in *expenditures* but the elimination of a *refundable credit*—meaning households lose a benefit, while the state retains revenue it would otherwise have remitted. This mischaracterization obscures the real cost to households and may reduce future political will to fund energy assistance programs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Fiscal Impact: $11M annual revenue reduction due to repeal
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and moderate-income households—especially those receiving home energy assistance—will face higher net utility costs, potentially increasing energy insecurity, health risks from under-heating/cooling, and housing instability. This group has no alternative federal or state substitute for the PUTC.
Public utilities lose a minor administrative burden (collecting/remitting the credit), but gain no financial benefit. The bill does not alter utility rates or obligations beyond this narrow task, so impact is neutral to slightly positive.
State agencies (DOR, HCA) save administrative costs by no longer managing the PUTC, but this may reduce programmatic capacity for future energy assistance efforts. The repeal does not redirect savings to other programs.