Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has prefiled a bill for the 2025 legislative session to safeguard consumer choice and prioritize road safety in Washington state.

The proposed legislation, House Bill 1041, ensures that tires meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards can be manufactured, sold, and used across the state without interference from additional state or local regulations.

“Tires are critical to vehicle safety, especially in Washington’s rugged and wet conditions,” said Walsh. “People in Washington should be free to choose the tires that best meet their needs without bureaucratic overreach limiting those options.”

The bill addresses ongoing discussions about reducing the rolling resistance of tires to lower greenhouse gas emissions. When tires connect with the road, they resist the ground, creating energy.

Rolling resistance is measured by the ratio of this force to the tire’s load. Tires that grip the road tightly or for longer need more energy to keep moving. The idea behind reducing rolling resistance is that it decreases fuel consumption. However, most of the environmental benefits are based on theories and models rather than actual driving data, according to a Walsh news release.

While reducing rolling resistance may decrease fossil fuel use, Walsh emphasized that deeper tire treads-known for enhancing road grip-are vital for safety, particularly in wet or icy conditions. He pointed out that driving on bald or under-inflated tires is unsafe.

Walsh also noted that rolling-resistant tires typically have less tread depth, meaning they need to be replaced more frequently and are more expensive than traditional tires. He further highlighted a potential consequence: individuals living paycheck to paycheck may delay replacing worn-out tires, increasing risks for themselves and other drivers.

“So many so-called ‘green’ laws and policies are more about control than actual environmental benefits,” said Walsh. “Limiting tire options does practically nothing to protect the environment, but it can make vehicles more dangerous to drive in rain or snow. Let free people choose what kind of tires to buy.”

In 2024, House Bill 2262 was proposed but not adopted. That legislation sought to authorize the Department of Commerce to establish and enforce energy efficiency standards for replacement tires. A contentious aspect of the bill was its delegation of authority to the department to prohibit the sale of replacement tires based on their rolling resistance coefficient.

Additionally, the department would have been allowed to rely on information from California agencies to justify banning certain tires.

Walsh’s proposal seeks to prohibit restrictions on tire usage or sales through greenhouse gas reduction strategies or emission standards, such as those modeled after California’s vehicle emission policies.

“My bill highlights the importance of durable, high-tread tires in reducing roadway injuries and fatalities. By prioritizing consumer freedom and aligning state regulations with federal standards, we can take a more balanced approach to safety, regulatory uniformity, and environmental objectives,” Walsh said.

The 2025 legislative session begins on Jan. 13.