OLYMPIA — A bill championing environmental justice and accountability passed the Senate on Thursday on a 31 to 18 vote.
Senate Bill 5884, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), clarifies courts’ existing authority to order restitution for harms to the environment in environmental criminal cases in Washington state. The legislation allows courts to impose fines for criminal offenses related to water pollution, air pollution, and hazardous waste management.
Restitution applies after a criminal conviction and gives discretion to the sentencing judge to order money to be paid over a defined period, covering damages and compensating victims or addressing public costs from environmental offenses.
Past penalties have failed to cover the extensive costs endured incurred by local governments, tribes, and impacted businesses due to environmental offenses. Such violations inflict lasting environmental impacts damage on the ecosystem, affecting the fish and wildlife dependent on it. Often, this results in years, sometimes decades, of remediation at the expense of taxpayers.
“In the face of environmental devastation by negligent offenders, this legislation reaffirms our commitment to justice and accountability,” Trudeau said. “The scars left by these violations serve as a reminder of our responsibility to protect our environment. The damages posed by environmental crimes are not just numbers; they affect the livelihoods of communities and the health of our ecosystems.”
By authorizing courts to order restitution, the legislation aims to foster a more robust accountability system, deterring potential offenders, and safeguarding the environment and public well-being.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
