https://citizenactiondefense.org/app/uploads/2024/01/20240129-Ecology-ZEV-MSJ.pdf
https://citizenactiondefense.org/app/uploads/2024/01/240129-Ecology-Suit-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf
Sen. Mike Padden and Representative Chris Corry are plaintiffs in the suit alleging improper delegation of lawmaking power to an unelected board in California
Olympia, Washington — JANUARY 29, 2024 — This morning, the Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF), through outside counsel, filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in a suit brought by two members of the legislature against the State of Washington, the Washington State Legislature, Governor Jay Inslee, and Laura Watson as the Director of Washington State’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Senator Mike Padden and Representative Chris Corry are Plaintiffs in the court action challenging legislation which allowed Ecology to adopt rules that would be passed by an unelected board in California. The California Air Resources Board passed rules that had the effect, without a hearing or public comment in Washington State, of banning the sale of motor vehicles with combustion engines in Washington starting in 2030.
“We must protect the sovereignty of the state of Washington.” said Senator Padden. “Washington state’s elected legislators must make laws in Washington State not legislators from the state of California. Senate Bill 5811 weakens our sovereignty as a state. That is why this lawsuit is so vitally important.”
“We are pleased that two outstanding members of the legislature have joined us in this effort to correct this awful law which instructed the Department of Ecology to give a group of people outside of our state a blank check to write rules that would take effect in Washington. This is blatantly unconstitutional,” said Jackson Maynard, Executive Director and Counsel to CADF. “Not only did the Legislature improperly delegate authority, but the Department of Ecology also completely overstepped their bounds by attempting to adopt another state’s law here. CADF is committed to pushing back against governmental overreach, and this is a prime example.”
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For more information:
Jackson Maynard
Executive Director and Counsel,
Citizen Action Defense Fund
Cell: (850) 519-3495