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SB 5931

Expediting the safer products for Washington process regarding motorized vehicle tires containing 6PPD.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Andy Billig and 7 co-sponsors

Washington adds 6PPD to priority chemicals and directs Ecology to regulate tires containing it under Safer Products, balancing safety with aquatic protection.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Bill Summary · SB 5931

SB 5931 — Summary (Safer Products for Washington: 6PPD in motorized vehicle tires)

Effective date: June 6, 2024 (Chapter 343, 2024 Laws).
Introduced: Jan. 2, 2024. Sponsors: Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology (original sponsors: Sens. Salomon, Kauffman, Billig, Frame, Lovelett, Pedersen, Shewmake, Wellman).

Purpose / Intent

The bill is intended to accelerate the Safer Products for Washington regulatory process with respect to the tire additive 6PPD and motorized vehicle tires that contain it. The legislature found that 6PPD in tires forms 6PPD‑quinone as tires wear, and that 6PPD‑quinone in stormwater runoff is toxic to aquatic species (notably Coho salmon). The law directs the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to address this source through the Safer Products program while taking vehicle safety into account.

Key provisions

  • Adds 6PPD (chemical name: N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) to the statutory list of "priority chemicals" under RCW 70A.350.010.
  • For the Safer Products process, establishes that motorized vehicle tires containing 6PPD that are equipped on, or intended to be installed as replacement tires on, motorized vehicles for on‑highway use are "priority consumer products."
  • Clarifies the term "motorized vehicle" for purposes of 6PPD: a vehicle intended for on‑ or off‑highway use. The statutory definition does not include the tires themselves as part of the vehicle for that purpose (i.e., tires are identified as the consumer product being regulated).
  • Directs Ecology to determine regulatory actions for motorized vehicle tires containing 6PPD and to adopt rules to implement those determinations under the Safer Products for Washington process.
  • Requires Ecology, when determining regulatory actions, to specifically consider effects on driver and passenger safety.

Who/what is affected

  • Department of Ecology: must perform regulatory determinations and promulgate rules under the Safer Products framework.
  • Tire manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and possibly vehicle manufacturers (to the extent new‑vehicle‑equipped tires are implicated).
  • Consumers and businesses purchasing tires or vehicles in Washington.
  • Aquatic ecosystems and species (e.g., salmon) targeted by the policy objective.
  • No appropriation was included; fiscal note was requested/available.

Process & timeline considerations

  • The bill amends the Safer Products statutory framework (RCW 70A.350.010, 70A.350.030, 70A.350.050). Under that framework Ecology typically identifies priority consumer products, makes regulatory determinations, and adopts rules on multi‑year schedules (e.g., identification by June 1 of the year following a chemical designation; regulatory determinations within two years after identification; rule adoption the following year). SB 5931 statutorily adds 6PPD and directs Ecology to apply the Safer Products process to tires containing it; Ecology must report to appropriate legislative committees when it takes those actions. Regulatory determinations generally do not take effect until adjournment of the legislative session following Ecology’s action.

Legislative history / status

  • Passed Senate and House (final concurrence in House amendments: 3/5/2024). Delivered to Governor 3/8/2024; signed into law 3/28/2024 (effective 6/6/2024).

Notes / considerations

  • The bill carves a specific regulatory path for tires (including tires on new vehicles and replacement tires) even though "motorized vehicles" were broadly carved out of some Safer Products actions historically; it retains an explicit requirement to evaluate vehicle safety implications.
  • Stakeholder debates during hearings noted concerns about federal automotive regulation, the need to protect vehicle safety, and ongoing analyses (including work in other states) about available safer alternatives to 6PPD.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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