OLYMPIA — Lt. Gov. Brad Owen has ruled that a Democratic effort to tie a climate change amendment to a Republican renewable-energy bill in the Senate is not outside the scope of the bill and can be voted on.
Owen’s decision on Monday supports an attempt by Democrats to force senators to vote on an amendment that says climate change is real and that humans significantly contribute to it.
Sen. Cyrus Habib, a Democrat from Kirkland, proposed the amendment to Senate Bill 5735. That measure would allow utilities to comply with the state’s renewable-energy standard by investing in projects that reduce carbon, such as installing electric-vehicle charging stations.
The bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Doug Ericksen, on Friday challenged the amendment and sought a ruling from Owen, the presiding officer of the chamber.
After Owen’s ruling, Republicans deferred action on the underlying bill.
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