WA SB5380

Department of Ecology must add environmental justice as an element of the environment within WAC 197-11-444 and the environmental checklist within WAC 197-11-960, requiring lead agencies to consider environmental justice in SEPA reviews

"Potentially impactful projects" (major air pollution sources, incinerators, landfills, sewage treatment plants, certain water permit projects) located in "pollution burdened communities" (ranked 7+ on the environmental health disparities map) must complete an environmental justice impact statement beginning January 1, 2027

Environmental justice impact statements must assess potential environmental/public health stressors from the project, unavoidable adverse stressors, and existing stressors already borne by the community, with results published at least 30 days before a required public hearing

Prohibits the Department of Ecology from issuing notice of construction approvals for major air pollution sources, prevention of significant deterioration permits, incinerators, and medical waste incinerators in census tracts ranked 9 or 10 for environmental exposures on the health disparities map

Exemptions include clean energy projects, national security facilities, fish hatcheries, residential-only housing projects, and department of transportation projects under $15 million