Legislation strengthening criminal penalties against businesses responsible for pollution spills and other environmental crimes passed the Washington State Senate this week on a 27-22 vote. “Clean air, clean water, and our beautiful environment are foundations of what makes Washington state so special,” Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) said. “Protecting our state’s environment is more important than ever amid concerns about the federal government stepping back from effectively enforcing environmental laws. We need to step up, take on the criminal polluters who are poisoning our air and water, and make sure anyone who does dirty business that harms our Evergreen State is held accountable.” Senate Bill 5360, sponsored by Trudeau, comprehensively updates state statutes for criminal pollution penalties and prosecution, allowing for violations of Washington’s Water Pollution Control ...

Legislation to regulate automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras across Washington state passed the Washington State Senate on a 40-9 vote on Wednesday. SB 6002, sponsored by Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), sets rules around the use and retention of data collected by ALPR ‘Flock’ cameras, which scan the license plates of passing vehicles and collect images and data for use by law enforcement and other government agencies. Washington state currently has no law on the books regulating ALPR cameras. “My goal with this bill has always been about community safety and trust,” Trudeau said. “Washington state has a constitutional obligation to protect personal privacy and we have an obligation as elected leaders to respond to community concerns when surveillance technology is ...