Senate Bill 5380: Increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions

Washington Senate Bill 5380 (2025) requires state agencies to evaluate environmental justice impacts when reviewing permits for industrial or potentially harmful projects located in pollution-burdened communities. It mandates the completion of an Environmental Justice Impact Statement and a public hearing within affected communities before project approvals can move forward. The bill aims to reduce cumulative environmental and health disparities across Washington State.

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Washington State Senate Bill 5380 requires the Department of Ecology to add environmental justice as an element of the environment in state environmental review rules (SEPA). The bill mandates that lead agencies complete environmental justice impact statements for potentially impactful projects located in pollution burdened communities, including public hearings and community engagement requirements. The legislation applies to new, expanding, or permit-renewal projects with review completed on or after January 1, 2027.

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