Photo by Washington State Standard
This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved SB 5284, which establishes extended producer responsibility for product packaging. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. If passed, it will return to the Senate for concurrence with House amendments.
In contrast, the committee declined to advance SB 5360, also known as the “crimes against the environment” bill. While there is broad agreement on the importance of protecting the environment, this measure went too far. It proposed civil and criminal penalties for individuals and businesses, while notably exempting government entities, which can also be significant contributors to environmental harm.
Under the bill, someone could be fined or even charged with a felony for relatively minor actions, such as spilling a can of paint or producing excess smoke from a backyard BBQ. Meanwhile, the state continues to fall short in holding retail thieves and other criminals accountable.
WR is encouraged by the committee’s decision not to move SB 5360 forward this session.
