Resolution No. 2024-11 Concerning Carbon Tax Credit Trading - Approved 091024Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, in Opposition of Washington State Ballot
Initiative No. 2117 concerning carbon tax credit trading.
WHEREAS, Washington State has placed a ballot measure before the voters, and
the official ballot measure title is “Initiative Measure No. 2117 concerns carbon tax credit
trading” (the “Initiative”); and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Secretary of State Elections Division has
completed and certified signature verification for the Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative is scheduled to go to the voters at the Washington
General Election on November 5, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative reads as follows: This measure would prohibit state
agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including “cap and trade”
or “cap and tax” programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are
imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. It would repeal sections of the 2021
Washington Climate Commitment Act as amended, including repealing the creation and
modification of a “cap and invest” program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
specific entities; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative will decrease funding for “investment in
transportation, clean air, renewable energy, conservation, and emissions-reduction”
according to the public investment impact disclosure prepared by the Attorney General
pursuant to RCW 29A.72.027; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative will end billions in funding for Washington’s
transportation infrastructure programs, jeopardizing efforts to fix roads and bridges, and
reduce traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative will end funding for the Springbrook Fish Passage
Project and various non-motorized improvements to connect Lynwood Center to
Winslow; and
WHEREAS, RCW 42.17A.555(1) authorizes the City Council to take action to
express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, or ordinance, or
to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) the agenda includes the title and
number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members of the public and councilmembers are
afforded an approximately equal opportunity to express an opposing view; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the procedural mandates of RCW 42.17A.555, the
City Council considered a resolution in support or opposition of the Initiative at its
September 10, 2024, Regular Business Meeting, and during said meeting, the City
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Council afforded members of the public and Council and approximately equal
opportunity for expression of a supporting or opposing view on the Initiative; and
WHEREAS, with this resolution the City Council desires to oppose the Initiative.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Bainbridge Island City Council adopts this resolution to express its
official position in opposition of the Initiative concerning carbon tax credit trading.
Section 2. If any one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of this resolution
are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion of this resolution and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its
passage.
PASSED by the City Council this 10th day of September, 2024.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 10th day of September, 2024.
Joe Deets, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
By: _____________________
Christine Brown, MMC, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: September 6, 2024
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: September 10, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11