(1) The department must establish a refrigerant transition task force to study opportunities and barriers to transitioning to climate-friendly refrigerants and enhancing refrigerant recovery, recycling, reclamation, and destruction.

(a) By July 1, 2026, the department must appoint members of the task force. All representatives must disclose to the department all material financial interests related to the work of the task force, including funding sources for their work.

(b) Starting no later than June 1, 2027, for a period extending at least 60 days, the department must make available a draft of the task force report required in subsection (4) of this section for public input and comment.

(c) The department must submit the task force report required in subsection (4) of this section to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 1, 2027.

(2) The task force must be chaired by a representative of the department and must consist of the following members appointed by the department:

(a) One representative from the private sector or a private sector trade association with expertise in installing, servicing, repairing, and decommissioning refrigeration and air conditioning equipment;

(b) One representative from the private sector or a private sector trade association with expertise in refrigerant recovery and reclamation;

(c) One representative from the private sector or a private sector trade association with expertise in manufacturing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and the distribution and sale thereof;

(d) One Washington state representative from the private sector or a private sector trade association that installs and services either air conditioning or refrigeration equipment, or both;

(e) Three representatives from environmental nonprofit organizations with familiarity with the climate risks of hydrofluorocarbons;

(f) One representative of Washington agricultural businesses that own or operate either air conditioning or refrigeration equipment;

(g) One representative from a labor union representing workers who install and service refrigeration and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment;

(h) One representative of the state building code council with expertise in fire safety;

(i) One member representing tribal or indigenous organizations guiding decisions for purchase and operation of equipment using hydrofluorocarbons; and

(j) One representative of Washington businesses that own or operate refrigeration equipment containing more than 50 pounds of ultra-low global warming potential refrigerants.

(3) The department may invite the input of others with relevant expertise to work with the task force for one or more task force discussions including, but not limited to:

(a) A representative of environmental justice organizations;

(b) A representative for Washington independent, small, or rural grocers;

(c) State agency staff with relevant expertise, potentially including the department of labor and industries and others; and

(d) Others valuable for informing one or more task force discussions.

(4)(a) The task force must draft and submit to the department a report assessing the opportunities, barriers, and recommendations for transitioning to refrigerants with low global warming potential and ultra-low global warming potential by 2035, accounting for distinctions among different types of equipment and appliances for hydrofluorocarbon-using sectors and subsectors and the timelines needed for each sector or subsector to complete such a transition.

(b) In drafting the report required in this section, each member of the task force must make a good faith effort to reach consensus on each point and provision in the report.

(c) Where one or more members of the task force object to a point or provision in the report, that member or members may provide a description of such an objection, with all such descriptions listed in an annex to the report.

(5)(a) The department shall provide administrative and operating support, including arrangements for virtual meetings, to the task force and may contract with a third-party facilitator or other consultants to assist in carrying out the activities of the task force.

(b) A majority of the task force constitutes a quorum. Action by the task force, including the inclusion of a point or provision in the report, requires a quorum and a majority of those present and voting.

(6) The department may disband the task force created in this section upon the submission of the report under subsection (1)(c) of this section.

Findings—Intent—2025 c 313: See note following RCW 70A.60.100.