(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department must establish a photovoltaic module advisory committee. The committee may include representatives of any parties the department deems appropriate to carry out the duties in subsection (3) of this section, but must include at least one member, if feasible, representing each of the following entities:

(a) Tribal organization or government;

(b) An association representing cities;

(c) An association representing counties;

(d) An environmental nonprofit;

(e) Environmental justice expertise, represented by an environmental justice practitioner or academic;

(f) A solid waste collection or processing company;

(g) An electric utility;

(h) A photovoltaic module manufacturer;

(i) A photovoltaic module distributor;

(j) A residential and commercial photovoltaic module installer involved in the installation of photovoltaic modules on the customer's side of the meter;

(k) A utility scale photovoltaic module project developer;

(l) Photovoltaic module recycling industry expertise;

(m) A labor organization representing workers in the electrical industry;

(n) The department; and

(o) The Washington state department of commerce.

(2) The department must contract with an independent third-party consultant to convene, facilitate, support, and provide research for the advisory committee. The consultant must:

(a) Provide staff and support to the advisory committee meetings including agendas, presentations, notes, and materials for the advisory committee;

(b) Hire subcontractors, as needed, for the research of any relevant information regarding issues associated with photovoltaic module recycling, stewardship, and takeback programs;

(c) Draft reports and other materials for review by the advisory committee; and

(d) Submit, by June 1, 2028, a report to the department containing recommendations of the advisory committee, after review by the advisory committee.

(3) The duties of the advisory committee include the following:

(a) Develop recommendations for a convenient, safe, and environmentally sound system for the recycling of photovoltaic modules, minimization of hazardous waste, and recovery of commercially valuable materials, with manufacturers financing the takeback and recycling system, considering the following:

(i) Policies and laws related to photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback programs and the enforcement of these laws;

(ii) Potential environmental and health impacts on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations expected to be affected, equitable distribution of environmental benefits, reduction of environmental harms, and meaningful access to programs and service;

(iii) Any work from other applicable advisory committees currently discussing similar topics in other jurisdictions or at the national level; and

(iv) Information and research provided by the department's consultant.

(b) Provide information to the consultant as requested, to meet the needs of this section.

(c) Review and comment on the consultant's report to the department.

(4) By December 1, 2028, the department shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature summarizing the work of the consultant and the advisory committee. The report shall contain recommended changes to this chapter.

(5) This section expires July 1, 2030.

Effective date—2025 c 126: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect June 30, 2025." [ 2025 c 126 s 3.]