2SHB 2421
In CommitteeHouse
Tires/6PPD and substitutes
Concerning 6PPD and regrettable 6PPD substitutes in tires.
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 addresses the toxic chemical 6PPD-quinone—formed when 6PPD in tires reacts with ozone and washes into waterways—by banning tires containing 6PPD or unsafe substitutes starting in 2035 and imposing fees to fund monitoring and cleanup. It also creates a new regulatory framework to identify and restrict regrettable alternatives, and establishes dedicated funding for salmon protection and tire waste management.
- Bans sale or distribution of new tires containing intentionally added 6PPD or 'regrettable substitutes' (as defined by the Department of Ecology) starting January 1, 2035.
- Creates a new '6PPD mitigation fee' of $3–$6 per tire (based on load rating), increasing 10% yearly from 2028, collected from sellers (not passed to consumers) and deposited into a dedicated account for monitoring, research, and cleanup.
- Requires the Department of Ecology to identify 'regrettable 6PPD substitutes' by rule, using criteria from Washington’s safer alternatives program, and consult with the Department of Health.
- Establishes civil penalties (up to $5,000 for first offense, $10,000 for repeat) and corrective action orders for violations, with appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
- Creates a '6PPD mitigation account' to fund Ecology’s work on 6PPD-related pollution, salmonid monitoring, stormwater sampling, and urban tire cleanup near fish-bearing streams.
Who is affected
- Tire manufacturers and distributors — Tire manufacturers and distributors must comply with restrictions on 6PPD and regrettable substitutes, and may face civil penalties for violations; they must also ensure tires are certified as 6PPD-free if seeking exemption from fees.
- Retail tire sellers — Retailers must collect and remit tire fees (including the 6PPD mitigation fee), retain a small per-tire amount for tire management costs, and keep certification records for 6PPD-free tires.
- State agencies (Ecology and Revenue Departments) — State agencies—especially the Department of Ecology and Department of Revenue—must implement rules, collect fees, monitor contamination, and manage funds for mitigation and enforcement.
- Tribal communities and fishing stakeholders — Tribal nations and commercial/recreational fishermen are affected by improved protections for salmon and other aquatic species, which are culturally, economically, and ecologically vital in Washington.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
The $3–$6 per tire mitigation fee (capped at $6 in 2027, rising 10% annually) is collected from sellers—not passed to consumers—and funds critical monitoring and cleanup near fish-bearing streams, directly benefiting low-income and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by stormwater pollution and tire dumping.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2)-(4), Sec. 8(2)(a)-(f)The bill allocates dedicated funding for urban tire cleanup near fish-bearing streams and grants for local government pilot projects on tire recycling, which improves neighborhood aesthetics, reduces flooding risks from clogged storm drains, and creates local green jobs in tire management and remediation.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(f), Sec. 11(2)(a)-(d)By requiring Ecology to identify and restrict regrettable substitutes using Washington’s safer alternatives framework, the bill prevents chemical substitution with equally or more harmful chemicals—protecting public health and ensuring long-term environmental integrity, especially for communities near industrial zones or waterways.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1), Sec. 8(2)(c)-(e)Salmonid mortality surveys and monitoring funded by the account provide early warnings of ecosystem collapse, supporting fisheries-dependent communities (including tribal nations) and recreational anglers who rely on healthy salmon runs for livelihood and cultural identity.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(d), Sec. 12Public education programs on tire waste management increase resident awareness and participation in proper disposal, reducing illegal dumping and associated public health hazards—particularly benefiting neighborhoods with high rates of tire dumping and limited enforcement capacity.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(f), Sec. 11(2)(c)
Potential Concerns (5)
Banning tires containing 6PPD and regrettable substitutes by 2035 will reduce toxic runoff into waterways, directly protecting salmon and other aquatic species from 6PPD-quinone-induced mortality; this improves ecosystem health and supports recovery of culturally and economically vital fish populations.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3), Sec. 3(1)Civil penalties and corrective action orders for violations—up to $10,000 per repeat offense—create strong enforcement leverage to ensure compliance, reducing illegal dumping and unsafe tire disposal near fish-bearing streams, thereby lowering acute pollution risks to water quality and public health.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2)-(4), Sec. 8(2)(e)Dedicated funding through the 6PPD mitigation account supports monitoring, salmon mortality surveys, stormwater sampling, and urban tire cleanup near streams—activities that directly benefit communities living near waterways by reducing pollution exposure and improving stormwater management.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(a)-(f)Funding for public education and outreach on tire waste management helps raise awareness among everyday residents about proper disposal, reducing illegal dumping and promoting community stewardship of local waterways.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(f), Sec. 11(2)(c)Salmonid mortality surveys and research funded by the account improve scientific understanding of 6PPD-quinone impacts, enabling more targeted and effective restoration efforts that benefit all Washingtonians through enhanced ecosystem services and recreational opportunities.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 8(2)(d), Sec. 12
Who Is Most Affected
Tire manufacturers face compliance costs to reformulate tires and may need to invest in new R&D; however, early adopters of safer alternatives may gain competitive advantage and avoid future liability. The 2035 phaseout timeline provides ample time to adapt, but small or international firms may face higher relative costs.
Retailers must collect and remit fees (without passing them to consumers), maintain certification records, and may retain 25 cents per tire for waste management—adding administrative burden but minimal cost. No direct financial gain, but compliance avoids penalties.
Ecology and Revenue Departments gain new authority and dedicated funding to implement toxics reduction, monitoring, and enforcement—strengthening their capacity to protect public health and environment, especially in underserved communities near waterways.
Tribal nations and fishing stakeholders benefit significantly from reduced salmon mortality, improved water quality, and enhanced cultural and economic resilience—especially critical for treaty-reserved fishing rights and coastal communities dependent on salmon.