(1) It is the intent of the legislature that each year the total investments made through the carbon emissions reduction account created in RCW 70A.65.240, the climate commitment account created in RCW 70A.65.260, the natural climate solutions account created in RCW 70A.65.270, and the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280, achieve the following:
(a) A minimum of not less than 35 percent and a goal of 40 percent of total investments that provide direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations within the boundaries of overburdened communities identified under chapter 70A.02 RCW; and
(b) In addition to the requirements of (a) of this subsection, a minimum of not less than 10 percent of total investments that are used for programs, activities, or projects formally supported by a resolution of an Indian tribe, with priority given to otherwise qualifying projects directly administered or proposed by an Indian tribe. An investment that meets the requirements of both this subsection (1)(b) and (a) of this subsection may count toward the minimum percentage targets for both subsections.
(2) The expenditure of moneys under this chapter must be consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and treaty rights including, but not limited to, prohibitions on uses of funds imposed by the state Constitution.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "benefits" means investments or activities that:
(a) Reduce vulnerable population characteristics, environmental burdens, or associated risks that contribute significantly to the cumulative impact designation of overburdened communities;
(b) Meaningfully protect an overburdened community from, or support community response to, the impacts of air pollution or climate change; or
(c) Meet a community need identified by vulnerable members of the overburdened community that is consistent with the intent of this chapter.
(4) The state must develop a process by which to evaluate the impacts of the investments made under this chapter, work across state agencies to develop and track priorities across the different eligible funding categories, and work with the environmental justice council pursuant to RCW 70A.65.040.
Notes:
Effective date—2025 c 417 ss 801, 802, and 804-807: See note following RCW 43.84.092.
Findings—Intent—2025 c 417: See note following RCW 82.38.030.
Intent—Effective date—2022 c 182: See notes following RCW 70A.65.240.
(1) It is the intent of the legislature that each biennium the total investments made through the climate commitment act transportation account created in RCW 70A.65.240, the climate commitment act operating account created in RCW 70A.65.410, the climate commitment act capital account created in RCW 70A.65.420, and the air quality and health disparities improvement account created in RCW 70A.65.280, achieve the following:
(a) A minimum of not less than 35 percent and a goal of 40 percent of total investments that provide direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations within the boundaries of overburdened communities identified under chapter 70A.02 RCW; and
(b) In addition to the requirements of (a) of this subsection, a minimum of not less than 10 percent of total investments that are used for programs, activities, or projects supported by an Indian tribe, with priority given to otherwise qualifying projects directly administered or proposed by an Indian tribe. Investments that meet the requirement of this subsection (1)(b) may include a letter of support from an Indian tribe, funding provided to or requested by an Indian tribe, a formal resolution of an Indian tribe, or similar expressions of support from an Indian tribe. An investment that meets the requirements of both this subsection (1)(b) and (a) of this subsection may count toward the minimum percentage targets for both subsections.
(2) The expenditure of moneys under this chapter must be consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and treaty rights including, but not limited to, prohibitions on uses of funds imposed by the state Constitution.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "benefits" means investments or activities that:
(a) Reduce vulnerable population characteristics, environmental burdens, or associated risks that contribute significantly to the cumulative impact designation of overburdened communities;
(b) Meaningfully protect an overburdened community from, or support community response to, the impacts of air pollution or climate change; or
(c) Meet a community need identified by vulnerable members of the overburdened community that is consistent with the intent of this chapter.
Notes:
Effective date—2026 c 219: See note following RCW 70A.65.410.
Effective date—2025 c 417 ss 801, 802, and 804-807: See note following RCW 43.84.092.
Findings—Intent—2025 c 417: See note following RCW 82.38.030.
Intent—Effective date—2022 c 182: See notes following RCW 70A.65.240.