WA HB1960

Personal property used for renewable energy generation or storage at qualified facilities (50+ megawatt solar or wind) becomes exempt from property taxation, with facilities operational on/after January 1, 2026 exempt under one section and those operational before that date exempt under another

A new renewable energy excise tax takes effect January 1, 2027, with rates varying by energy type and operational date: solar facilities pay $4,000-$4,500/megawatt/year, wind facilities pay $800-$6,300/megawatt/year depending on when operational, and energy storage pays $1,500/megawatt hour of capacity

Tax revenues are split between a state renewable energy local benefit account and a local community investment account, with local portions distributed to county treasurers who then distribute to local taxing districts based on their property tax rate shares

Establishes a renewable energy development local investment commitment matching grant program providing state matching funds to counties and cities that enter agreements with project developers, with eligibility tied to not having overly restrictive siting standards for solar/wind projects

Creates biennial capacity grants of $21,500,000 (adjusted for inflation) to federally recognized tribes for consultation on clean energy projects, climate resilience activities, and developing tribal clean energy projects, funded through climate commitment and local community investment accounts