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Bill

HB 1303

Increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Berry and 10 co-sponsors

Washington bill requires state agencies to evaluate environmental justice impacts in policy decisions, prioritizing protections for communities facing disproportionate pollution exposure.

Referred to Appropriations.
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Bill Summary · HB 1303

Legislative bill overview

HB 1303 aims to strengthen environmental justice by requiring state agencies to incorporate equity considerations into their decision-making processes. The bill establishes frameworks and procedures for evaluating how government actions affect communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards, particularly low-income and communities of color.

Why is this important

Environmental hazards like pollution, toxic sites, and industrial facilities are often concentrated in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, creating documented health disparities. By mandating equity analysis in agency decisions, the bill seeks to prevent future policies from perpetuating these patterns and ensure affected communities have input in decisions that impact them.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and compliance burden: Agencies may argue that mandatory environmental justice reviews increase bureaucratic overhead, slow permitting processes, and require new staffing/expertise without dedicated funding
  • Definition and measurement challenges: "Environmental justice" and "disproportionate impact" lack universal definitions; disagreement may arise over what data, thresholds, and metrics qualify as meaningful equity analysis
  • Decision-making authority and delays: Critics may contend that expanded review requirements could delay infrastructure projects, energy development, or economic activities, while supporters worry agencies will treat equity reviews as perfunctory box-checking

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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