Establishing a presumption of compliance for entities covered under the state’s industrial stormwater general permit under certain circumstances.

SB 5712 establishes that industrial facilities covered under Washington's industrial stormwater general permit are presumed to comply with water quality standards if they fully follow all permit requirements, including monitoring, reporting, and using approved pollution control practices. This applies to facilities like factories and marine transportation sites, reducing their risk of third-party lawsuits when they meet all conditions. The bill also requires the Department of Ecology to assess safety before mandating stormwater sampling at facilities where sampling could endanger workers, and allows facilities to notify the department if they identify potential pollution issues. These changes aim to shift focus from legal defense to environmental improvements while maintaining regulatory accountability.