Bill > SB5896

This bill modifies the existing Washington state law regarding water pollution by removing the phrase "or tend to cause" from the legal language about discharging pollutants into state waters. Specifically, the bill amends RCW 90.48.080 to make it unlawful to discharge any organic or inorganic matter that causes pollution, as determined by the department, without the previous qualifying language about substances that might "tend to cause" pollution. This change potentially narrows the definition of what constitutes illegal pollution by removing the more expansive language that could have allowed for interpretation of potential or probable pollution, and instead focuses on demonstrable, actual pollution as defined by the state environmental department. The modification appears to create a more precise standard for determining water quality violations, potentially making it slightly more challenging to prove pollution under the law.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5896&Year=2025&Initiative=false