A bill for an act relating to strict liability for a person in control of hazardous substances.

This bill (SSB 1041) requires individuals or entities controlling hazardous substances to pay reasonable costs incurred by the state or local governments for responding to, overseeing, and monitoring hazardous conditions they created. It directly affects businesses, property owners, or others managing dangerous materials like chemicals or waste. The key change expands current law by making these parties strictly liable for all such costs - previously limited to "response" costs - to cover ongoing oversight and monitoring expenses. This shifts the financial burden from taxpayers to the responsible party, creating a clearer cost-recovery mechanism.