Environment

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5360: Concerning environmental crimes.

Senate Bill 5360 establishes new criminal offenses related to water pollution in Washington state, affecting individuals and various entities, including government agencies. The bill defines three degrees of violation for the water pollution control act, differentiating them by the level of intent and harm. A first-degree violation involves knowingly causing imminent danger, a second-degree violation involves knowingly violating without imminent danger, and a third-degree violation involves negligent violations. Each degree carries specific penalties, ranging from a Class B felony for the first degree to a gross misdemeanor for the third degree.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes criminal penalties for water pollution violations, strengthening enforcement of environmental protections through defined degrees of intent and harm.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5194: Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts.

SB 5194 authorizes the state of Washington to issue nearly $4.7 billion in general obligation bonds. These bonds will finance various state capital projects outlined in the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia and future biennia. The proceeds are deposited into state building construction accounts and then transferred to specific accounts, including those for outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, farm and forest preservation, and early learning facilities. The state pledges its full faith and credit for repayment, using general state revenues to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $4.7B in bonds to fund capital projects including recreation, conservation, and education facilities, advancing state budget priorities through targeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning facilities, a direct educational infrastructure investment under bond proceeds for state capital projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds habitat conservation, farm/forest preservation, and outdoor recreation accounts from bond proceeds, directly advancing environmental protection priorities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1837: Establishing intercity passenger rail improvement priorities.

HB 1837 establishes specific improvement priorities for the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service, aiming to enhance the state's transportation system. It mandates the Washington State Department of Transportation to work towards target goals by 2035, including increasing on-time performance to 88% and boosting daily round trips between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The department must also improve multimodal connections at stations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the bill requires the department to report annually on its progress and directs the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades service development plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly mandates GHG emissions reduction through rail service improvements, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates improved Amtrak Cascades rail service goals, including increased daily trips, 88% on-time performance, and reduced emissions, directly advancing public transit infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1293: Concerning litter.

HB 1293 aims to reduce litter and plastic waste across Washington State, affecting individuals and retail establishments. The bill enhances penalties for littering, reclassifying offenses and establishing mandatory clean-up restitution payments based on the volume of litter. It also delays the requirement for reusable plastic carryout bags to be thicker and increases the pass-through charge for these bags. Furthermore, the bill imposes a new penalty on retailers for selling thicker plastic bags, directing these funds to a waste reduction and litter control account.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reduces litter/plastic waste via enhanced penalties, mandatory clean-up payments, and increased bag charges, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5033: Concerning sampling or testing of biosolids for PFAS chemicals.

Senate Bill 5033 establishes requirements for sampling and testing biosolids for PFAS chemicals in Washington state. It directs the Department of Ecology to issue guidance on PFAS sampling for facilities that generate biosolids by July 2026. These facilities will then be required to conduct quarterly PFAS chemical testing of their biosolids from January 2027 to June 2028, submitting the results to the department. Septic tank sludge is excluded from these specific sampling requirements. Based on the collected data, the Department of Ecology must report to the legislature by July 2029 with a summary of PFAS levels and recommendations for future actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates PFAS testing in biosolids to monitor and reduce environmental pollution from harmful chemicals, strengthening regulatory oversight of contaminants.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1670: Increasing transparency regarding sewage-containing spills.

HB 1670 increases public transparency regarding sewage spills in Washington state, directly affecting the Department of Ecology, wastewater operators, and the public who rely on clean water. By July 1, 2026, it mandates the Department of Ecology to create a public-facing website. This website will display notices of reported sewage spills, including details such as the estimated volume, treatment level, location, and the date and time of the incident. The Department must update the site with final spill information and design it to be accessible for people with limited English proficiency.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates public transparency on sewage spills (pollution), enhancing accountability for environmental protection. Directly addresses pollution control via Department of Ecology oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1462: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons.

HB 1462 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by regulating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Washington state. It prohibits the sale or distribution of new bulk HFCs with a global warming potential (GWP) exceeding 1,500 starting January 1, 2030, and exceeding 750 starting January 1, 2033. The bill encourages the use of reclaimed HFCs and establishes a task force to study the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants and enhance recovery and reclamation. This legislation primarily affects businesses involved in selling, distributing, or using HFCs in equipment such as refrigeration and air conditioning.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill regulates high-GWP HFCs in refrigeration (energy infrastructure), promotes climate-friendly alternatives, and reduces emissions - aligning with clean energy transition goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates HFCs with high GWP to reduce emissions, promotes climate-friendly alternatives, and establishes task force for transition - directly advances environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1975: Amending the climate commitment act by adjusting auction price containment mechanisms and ceiling prices, addressing the department of ecology's authority to amend rules to facilitate linkage with other jurisdictions, and providing for market dynamic analysis.

HB 1975 amends Washington's Climate Commitment Act, primarily affecting the Department of Ecology and businesses covered by the act. The bill requires the Department of Ecology to conduct ongoing analysis of compliance instrument markets, including prices and supply/demand trends. It adjusts the percentage of allowances placed into the "allowance price containment reserve" for 2027-2040 to between two and five percent. The bill also directs the department to make all future reserve allowances available in the second compliance period to help manage prices before linking with other carbon markets. Additionally, it clarifies the department's authority and requirement to synchronize Washington's compliance periods if linking with other jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends Climate Commitment Act to maintain market stability for emissions pricing, supporting renewable energy transition through adjusted allowance mechanisms and ongoing market analysis.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends Climate Commitment Act to maintain market stability for emissions reductions, strengthening regulatory mechanisms through price containment adjustments and market analysis requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5284: Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.

Senate Bill 5284 aims to improve Washington's solid waste management and increase recycling rates, which have remained static. It establishes an extended producer responsibility program for consumer packaging and paper products. Under this program, producers are required to fund and manage the lifecycle of these materials, from design to end-of-life. The goal is to make convenient and affordable curbside recycling more widely available to residents, particularly those in rural and multifamily areas, by building upon existing waste and recycling infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes extended producer responsibility for packaging/paper, requiring producers to fund lifecycle management to increase recycling rates and improve waste management outcomes, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1409: Concerning the clean fuels program.

House Bill 1409 modifies Washington's clean fuels program, directing the Department of Ecology to establish rules that reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. It assigns compliance obligations to fuel providers whose products exceed carbon intensity standards and awards credits to those whose fuels are below standards, allowing these credits to be traded. The bill sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels to 55 percent below 2017 levels by no earlier than January 1, 2038, following a specified annual reduction schedule. It also outlines penalties for non-compliance with reporting and credit requirements, while exempting exported fuels.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyModifies clean fuels program to reduce transportation emissions by 55% below 2017 levels, promoting lower-carbon fuels through compliance obligations and credit trading for providers meeting carbon intensity standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly reduces transportation GHG emissions through carbon intensity standards and credit trading, targeting 55% below 2017 levels to protect environment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModifies clean fuels program to reduce carbon intensity of transportation fuels, aligning with sustainable transportation goals through emissions targets and credit trading system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment