The proposed bill, titled the "buy clean and buy fair Washington act," aims to improve environmental and labor reporting for public building construction and renovation materials in Washington State. It introduces new requirements for awarding authorities to collect and report data on construction projects exceeding 100,000 gross square feet, effective July 1, 2024. Selected firms will be required to submit information regarding product quantity, environmental and health product declarations, and details about working conditions at production facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a publicly accessible database to enhance transparency regarding the environmental impacts and labor conditions of these materials.

The legislation also emphasizes integrating climate and pollution considerations into the procurement process, supporting local manufacturers that meet high environmental and labor standards. It establishes a "buy clean and buy fair" work group responsible for identifying opportunities to increase the use of low carbon materials and promoting high labor standards. This work group is tasked with submitting two reports to the legislature and the governor by September 1, 2024, and September 1, 2025, respectively, focusing on low carbon materials manufacturing and public procurement practices. Furthermore, the bill amends existing law to require the office of financial management to gather specific information from capital budget applicants for major construction projects over $10,000,000, ensuring alignment with local plans and environmental assessments.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.88.0301
Substitute Bill: 43.88.0301