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 2003: Concerning the Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program.

HB 2003 establishes a temporary Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program, effective January 1, 2026. Individuals 15 years or older will need to purchase this endorsement, costing $7.50 for adults and $6 for youth/seniors, to recreationally fish for salmon or steelhead in designated Columbia River areas. Funds collected will be deposited into a new account to support selective fishing opportunities, including monitoring, hatchery production, pinniped removal, and enforcement. The Department of Fish and Wildlife, with stakeholders, must review the program and provide a continuation recommendation to the legislature by December 2026. All provisions of this program are set to expire on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from endorsements support salmon/steelhead conservation through monitoring, hatchery production, and pinniped removal, directly advancing fishery resource management and protection.85% 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

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1990: Authorizing utility companies to securitize certain costs related to disasters or emergencies to lower costs to customers.

House Bill 1990 authorizes electrical, gas, and water companies in Washington state to use a special financing method called securitization for certain costs. This method allows companies to issue "rate recovery bonds" to cover expenses incurred from declared disasters or emergencies, such as severe weather or pandemics, and for specific energy or water conservation measures. The aim is to potentially lower overall costs for utility customers by spreading these large, unexpected expenses over a longer period. The state's Utilities and Transportation Commission must approve this financing through a "financing order" before it can be implemented.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes securitization for 'specific energy or water conservation measures,' aligning with environmental conservation goals and promoting resource conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1154: Ensuring environmental and public health protection from solid waste handling facility operations.

House Bill 1154 strengthens environmental and public health protections by modifying the permitting process for solid waste handling facilities. It requires the state Department of Ecology to review and approve permits for new or modified landfill facilities *before* local health departments can issue or renew them, a change effective August 1, 2027. For other solid waste handling facilities, the state Department will continue to review permits after local issuance and retains the ability to appeal. Additionally, the bill involves the Department of Agriculture in reviewing composting facilities that receive materials from quarantined areas to prevent the spread of diseases or pests.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly strengthens environmental protections by requiring state Department of Ecology permit reviews before local health departments act on solid waste facilities, enhancing oversight for public health and pollution control.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Washington · House May 13, 2025

HB 1488: Concerning conservation district revenue limitations.

House Bill 1488 updates the rules for how conservation districts in Washington State can collect revenue from landowners. It increases the maximum annual charge per parcel that counties can approve for conservation districts to $25, replacing previous tiered limits based on county population. The bill also establishes a process for the Department of Revenue to adjust this maximum per-parcel rate every three years, starting in 2029, based on inflation. Additionally, it clarifies that state-owned lands are subject to these charges and adjusts how forestlands are charged, including a cap on acreage and a per-owner charge instead of a per-parcel charge for forestland owners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases revenue limits for conservation districts, enabling more funding for environmental conservation activities through updated funding mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment