This bill amends existing laws concerning environmental crimes in Washington State, specifically targeting violations of the Water Pollution Control Act and the Clean Air Act. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "knows," "knowingly," "negligent," and "negligently," which clarify the standards for awareness and care regarding environmental violations. The bill establishes three degrees of violations for both acts, with the first degree classified as a class B felony for knowingly placing others in imminent danger, the second degree as a class C felony for other knowing violations, and the third degree as a gross misdemeanor for negligent violations. Additionally, it emphasizes the accountability of both individuals and entities, allowing for liability for the actions of agents and treating each day of violation as a separate offense.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that categorize violations of the Water Pollution Control Act as a Class 2 offense and repeals several existing statutes related to penalties for environmental violations, specifically targeting RCW 90.48.140, RCW 70A.15.3150, RCW 70A.300.100, and RCW 70A.300.110. By repealing these outdated provisions, the bill aims to streamline legal consequences for environmental offenses and align them with current standards. Overall, the intent of the bill is to enhance the enforcement of environmental laws, ensuring that penalties are clear, consistent, and reflective of the seriousness of the violations, thereby strengthening protections for public health and the environment.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 90.48.020, 70A.300.010