State legislative outlook: budget pressure, falling CCA revenue and three bills the panel may engage on

Don Gourley delivered a detailed Washington state legislative outlook, telling the science panel to expect turnover in committee leadership, constrained general‑fund options and a significant projected drop in Climate Commitment Act (CCA) revenue that will pressure operating budgets.

“There’s a major drop off in expected revenue in the CCA,” Don Gourley said, summarizing forecast tables that show a steep reduction in CCA proceeds available for natural‑resource investments. He cautioned that reductions in CCA investments will affect ongoing programs that have relied on that revenue stream.

Gourley identified three bills from the previous session that may reappear in 2027 and are relevant to Puget Sound recovery: HB 1652 (pollution from ocean‑going vessels), HB 2421 (a phased ban on 6PPD in new tires) and HB 2515 (data‑center sustainability reporting on water, effluent, land‑use and air quality metrics). He described opportunities for the science panel to contribute science, participate in stakeholder conversations and prepare written materials.

Panel members volunteered to engage with staff and lawmakers in specific topic areas: Marguerite Papiamano on budget reductions affecting monitoring, Ruth (possible) on ocean‑going vessel pollution, Kevin Werner on data centers and Ani on the 6PPD issue. Staff said volunteer engagement could range from drafting a letter to testifying or joining legislative tours.

Why it matters: a projected decline in CCA revenue and a tight general‑fund outlook may force program reductions; the flagged bills intersect with monitoring capacity, pollutant sources and infrastructure demands — areas where scientific input can shape legislative outcomes.

What’s next: partnership staff will follow up with volunteers and coordinate possible stakeholder meetings, letters or testimony as bills and timelines firm up.