PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 11542025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

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

Sponsored By: Davina Duerr (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Waste sites face stronger oversight

Since July 27, 2025, local health departments remain the main waste facility regulators, with Washington’s Department of Ecology providing oversight. Ecology steps in when local departments hand over enforcement or fail to act adequately. Missed deadlines trigger state action: 45 calendar days to inspect a credible report, or 60 days to issue a notice after observing a violation. Other triggers are no enforcement within 90 days after notice to act, or no resolution or substantial progress within 180 days after enforcement starts. Ecology normally gives the local department and operator 30 days’ written notice before an order or penalty. It can skip notice for an immediate and substantial danger to health or the environment. State action pauses if adequate local enforcement, agreed to by Ecology, starts within that notice period. Local departments must report credible allegations, observed violations, notices, enforcement actions, and progress toward fixes within a reasonable time. Owners and operators must provide compliance information when ordered; applicants and permit holders must allow inspections and sampling. Ecology or local health departments can also suspend waste site permits for violations of applicable state or local rules.

Waste violators face daily fines

Since July 27, 2025, officials can issue compliance orders and daily fines for violations involving waste handling subject to permitting. Fines can reach $5,000 per day for the first 14 days, then $10,000 per day if the violation remains unresolved. Failure to take corrective action required by an order can also bring fines. Officials must first try education and outreach, and payments to another government for the same incident and conduct reduce fines. Local fines fund health department operations; Ecology fines go to the Model Toxics Control Operating Account.

Landfill permits need state approval

Since July 27, 2025, Ecology must review and approve landfill permits before local health departments issue them. Ecology can require changes to meet legal requirements and must approve or deny landfill permit renewals. Applicants and health departments can appeal Ecology’s denial or required changes to the Pollution Control Hearings Board. Landfill permits issued after August 1, 2027, are invalid without Ecology approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Davina Duerr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Shelley Kloba

    Democratic • House

  • Victoria Hunt

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 98

House vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 57 • No: 39 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 28 • No: 20 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 58 • No: 39 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/17/2025House

  2. Chapter 311, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 57; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/21/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    4/15/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/9/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    4/7/2025House

  15. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/7/2025House

  16. Referred to Ways & Means.

    3/26/2025House

  17. And refer to Ways & Means.

    3/25/2025House

  18. Minority; do not pass.

    3/25/2025House

  19. ENET - Majority; do pass.

    3/25/2025House

  20. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

    3/7/2025House

  21. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  22. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  23. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation