Senate passes environmental-crimes bill after hours of amendments and debate

The Washington State Senate on March 3 passed substitute Senate Bill 5360, a measure that changes criminal penalties for certain environmental harms and amends parts of RCW 90.48, after several hours of floor debate and multiple amendments.

Supporters said the bill aims to align state law with federal enforcement standards and provide stronger tools to hold serious polluters accountable. "We see where environmental disasters and toxic pollution often falls on future generations to clean up," Senator Trudeau said on the floor as she described local incidents that motivated her to sponsor the bill.

Opponents raised concerns about the bill's scope, the mens rea (mental state) standards, and the potential for overcriminalization of businesses and workers who lack decision-making authority. "The vast majority of folks out there trying to build things are good people," Senator Braun said, arguing the measure could increase regulatory risk and hinder construction and manufacturing.

Nut graf: The chamber voted to pass the substantially amended bill after adopting several…