SSB 6269
SignedSenate
Definition of motor fuel
Modernizing the definition of motor fuel in the motor fuel quality act.
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 modernizes Washington’s legal definitions of motor fuels under the Motor Fuel Quality Act to reflect newer fuel types like electricity and renewable diesel, while removing outdated categories and clarifying standards for existing fuels like biodiesel and E85. It ensures state law aligns with current fuel technology and federal standards.
- Updates the legal definition of 'motor fuel' to explicitly include electricity used to propel motor vehicles on state highways.
- Reorganizes and renumbers existing definitions (e.g., 'alternative fuel' is removed as a standalone category; its components are now listed under revised definitions like 'biodiesel fuel', 'E85 motor fuel', and 'renewable diesel').
- Clarifies that 'biodiesel fuel' must meet federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
- Adds a new definition for 'renewable diesel', specifying it is a diesel substitute made from non-petroleum sources like vegetable oils and animal fats, and must meet EPA and ASTM D975 standards.
- Revises the definition of 'E85 motor fuel' to align ethanol content with current industry standards (75–85% ethanol by volume, per ASTM D5798).
Who is affected
- Fuel retailers and distributors — Fuel retailers and distributors who sell or blend motor fuels in Washington must ensure their products meet updated definitions and standards, especially for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and E85.
- Biofuel feedstock producers — Farmers and producers of plant- or animal-based feedstocks (e.g., soybeans, used cooking oil, animal fats) may benefit from clearer recognition of renewable diesel and biodiesel feedstocks in state law.
- Electric vehicle users and infrastructure providers — Electric vehicle (EV) owners and charging infrastructure providers gain formal inclusion of electricity as a motor fuel under state law, supporting future regulatory clarity for EV-related fees and standards.
- General motor vehicle users — Consumers may benefit from clearer labeling and quality standards for alternative fuels like E85 and renewable diesel, helping ensure consistent fuel performance and compatibility with vehicles.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Formal recognition of electricity as a motor fuel removes regulatory ambiguity for EV charging network operators and utilities, enabling clearer fee structures, tax treatment, and infrastructure planning—supporting job growth in clean energy infrastructure.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(7) (motor fuel now includes 'electricity used for propulsion')Standardizing E85 ethanol content ensures consistent fuel quality and vehicle compatibility, protecting consumers from performance issues or engine damage due to substandard or mislabeled fuel—especially beneficial for flex-fuel vehicle owners.
consumer protectionPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6) (E85 motor fuel definition aligned with ASTM D5798: 75–85% ethanol)Mandating EPA and ASTM compliance for renewable diesel ensures it meets emissions and performance standards, reducing the risk of substandard renewable fuels entering the market and undermining climate goals—benefiting air quality and public health.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(8) (new 'renewable diesel' definition requiring EPA and ASTM D975 compliance)Standardizing biodiesel quality protects consumers and vehicle owners from degraded fuel performance, engine wear, or warranty issues—particularly important for fleet operators and rural users relying on biodiesel blends.
consumer protectionPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5) (biodiesel fuel must meet EPA registration and ASTM standards)Explicit inclusion of electricity as a motor fuel supports equitable EV infrastructure planning and fee structures (e.g., road usage charges based on kWh), helping ensure transportation funding remains stable as vehicle efficiency increases—benefiting low- and middle-income EV users who rely on public infrastructure.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(7) (motor fuel now includes 'electricity used for propulsion')
Potential Concerns (5)
Removal of the standalone 'alternative fuel' category may create minor administrative ambiguity for fuel regulators and retailers during the transition, as the regulatory framework shifts from a categorical to a component-based approach—though the bill explicitly reorganizes rather than eliminates definitions, reducing risk.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(2) (removed 'alternative fuel' as standalone category; electricity now included under 'motor fuel')Fuel blenders and retailers must ensure E85 blends comply with the updated ASTM standard, which could require minor recalibration of blending equipment or quality assurance protocols—costs likely absorbed by larger distributors with existing compliance infrastructure.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(6) (revised E85 definition to 75–85% ethanol per ASTM D5798)Producers and importers of renewable diesel must verify compliance with federal standards (EPA registration and ASTM D975), which may increase documentation and testing costs—though these are already standard for market participation and unlikely to be prohibitive for established players.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(8) (new 'renewable diesel' definition requiring EPA and ASTM D975 compliance)Small biodiesel producers may face increased compliance burdens if they lack existing EPA/ASTM certification infrastructure, potentially consolidating market share toward larger, certified producers over time.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(5) (revised 'biodiesel fuel' definition requiring EPA registration and ASTM standards)Formal inclusion of electricity as a motor fuel may facilitate future safety regulations for EV charging infrastructure (e.g., electrical fire codes, grid interconnection standards), but the bill itself does not establish those standards—so any public safety benefit is indirect and speculative.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(7) (motor fuel now includes 'electricity used for propulsion')
Who Is Most Affected
EV charging infrastructure providers benefit significantly from formal recognition of electricity as a motor fuel, enabling clearer regulatory authority for fees, taxation, and infrastructure standards—reducing uncertainty and supporting investment.
Farmers and feedstock suppliers (e.g., soybean, used cooking oil, animal fat processors) benefit from clearer legal recognition of renewable diesel and biodiesel feedstocks, potentially increasing demand and price stability for their products.
General motor vehicle users benefit from standardized fuel specifications (E85, biodiesel, renewable diesel), reducing the risk of poor fuel performance and vehicle damage—especially for owners of flex-fuel and diesel vehicles.
Fuel retailers and distributors face modest compliance costs to align with updated definitions and standards (e.g., verifying EPA/ASTM certification for biodiesel and renewable diesel), but these are largely operational adjustments already common in the industry.
State and local governments gain regulatory clarity for taxing and regulating electricity as a motor fuel, enabling future road usage charging schemes and ensuring transportation funding sustainability—though the bill itself does not mandate new fees.