Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 18 D · 2 R cosponsors

HB 1670 — Increasing transparency regarding sewage-containing spills.

Last action — Effective date 7/27/2025.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on May 17, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 20 sponsors

    1 primary, 19 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (18 D · 2 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

94 added · 90 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of HB 1670 clarifies that the new notification system will apply not only to wastewater treatment plant owners and operators but also to wastewater collectors with specific permits. This change is significant because it broadens the scope of accountability for sewage spills, ensuring that more entities are responsible for informing the public about potential water quality issues. By enhancing the public's access to real-time information about sewage spills, the bill aims to better protect communities that rely on clean water for their livelihoods and recreational activities.

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H-1365.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1670 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Environment & Energy (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Griffey, Doglio, Bernbaum, Zahn, Salahuddin, Berry, Abbarno, Duerr, Hill, Obras, Lekanoff, Stearns, Parshley, Kloba, Reed, Ramel, Ormsby, Gregerson, and Nance) READ FIRST TIME 02/17/25.
H-0831.1 HOUSE BILL 1670 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Hunt, Griffey, Doglio, Bernbaum, Zahn, Salahuddin, Berry, Abbarno, Duerr, Hill, Obras, Lekanoff, Stearns, Parshley, Kloba, Reed, Ramel, Ormsby, Gregerson, and Nance Read first time 01/28/25.
Referred to Committee on Environment & Energy.
The legislature finds that municipal wastewater treatment plant owners/operators and wastewater collectors with national pollutant discharge elimination system permits are required by their water quality permits to disclose unauthorized spills or discharges containing untreated or undertreated sewage to the department of ecology, but that such notices of sewage spills are not expeditiously or easily made publicly available.
The legislature finds that municipal wastewater treatment plant owners/operators are required by their water quality permits to disclose unauthorized spills or discharges containing untreated or undertreated sewage to the department of ecology, but that such notices of sewage spills are not expeditiously or easily made publicly available.
A number of other states have established systems in which public notification of a spill is available in nearly real time posted by a water quality regulator, and in which alerts can be issued to those interested in the event of a spill in a particular geographic area.
A number of other states have established systems in which public notification of a spill is available in nearly real time on a map posted by a water quality regulator, and in which alerts can be issued to those interested in the event of a spill in a particular geographic area.
Therefore, it is the intent of the p.
Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to improve the public's ability to know about sewage spills that may impact them by establishing such a system.
1 SHB 1670 legislature to improve the public's ability to know about sewage spills that may impact them by establishing such a system.
p.
NEW SECTION.
1 HB 1670 NEW SECTION.
(1) "Combined sewer" means a sewer that has been designed to serve as a sanitary sewer and a storm sewer, and into which inflow is allowed by local ordinance.
(1) "Combined sewer" means structures which are designed to convey both sanitary and storm sewage, and allow the overflow of such combined sewage, untreated, to the waters of the state during periods of high flows.
(2) "Sewage spill" means the intentional or accidental discharge of untreated or undertreated wastewater that does not meet permit requirements, from any portion of a sewage treatment plant or collection system, including a combined sewer, in this state.
(2) "Sewage spill" means the intentional or accidental diversion of untreated or undertreated wastes that do not meet permit requirements, from any portion of a sewage treatment plant or collection system, including a combined sewer, in this state.
(1) By July 1, 2026, the department must develop and publish a public-facing website that includes, but is not limited to, notices of the locations where sewage spills occur that are reported to the department under individual water quality permits for discharges that contain sewage.
(1) By July 1, 2026, the department must develop and publish a public-facing website that includes, but is not limited to, a mapping interface with geographic information on locations where sewage spills occur that are reported to the department under individual water quality permits for discharges that contain sewage.
The department must post on the website notice of the reported sewage spill.
Upon the receipt of sewage spill information under this chapter, the department must post on the website notice of the reported discharge or bypass.
and (g) Once known, the steps taken to contain the discharge.
(g) Once known, the steps taken to contain the discharge;
(2) Within a reasonable amount of time following the conclusion of a reported sewage spill under this section, the department must update the website to reflect the total estimated volume of p.
and (h) Public safety precautions that should be taken if known.
2 SHB 1670 discharges, dates, times, and duration of the spill, waters impacted by the spill, and other final spill information reported to the department.
(2) Within a reasonable amount of time following the conclusion of a reported sewage spill or bypass under this section, the department must update the website to reflect the total estimated p.
(3) The department must design the website in a way that effectively communicates with people who have limited English proficiency.
2 HB 1670 volume of discharges, dates, times, and duration of the spill, waters impacted by the spill, and other final spill information reported to the department.
(3) Information pertaining to each sewage spill reported to the department on or after July 1, 2026, must be retained in perpetuity on the department's website.
(4) The department must design the website in a way that effectively communicates with people who have limited English proficiency.
(1) By July 1, 2027, the department must implement a public notification system, through which the public may choose to be notified of basic information regarding untreated or undertreated sewage spills.
By July 1, 2027, the department must implement a public notification system, through which the public may choose to be notified of untreated or undertreated sewage spills or permitted sewage bypasses.
Notifications by the department under this section must occur no later than four hours, within regular working business hours, after the receipt by the department of a notice of a sewage spill.
Notifications by the department under this section must occur no later than four hours after the receipt by the department of a notice of a sewage spill or bypass.
Notifications must reflect or link to the information made available by the department under section 3 of this act.
Real-time notifications must reflect or link to the information made available by the department under section 3 of this act.
(2) For purposes of this section, "regular working business hours" constitute the hours between 8:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state legal holidays.
(1) By March 15, 2026, the department must publish a list of sewage spills reported to the department during the preceding calendar year.
(1) By March 15, 2026, the department must provide a list of unauthorized spills or discharges containing untreated or undertreated sewage reported to the department during the preceding calendar year.
(2) By March 15, 2027, and each March 15th thereafter, the department must publish and make publicly available on the website an annual report of sewage spills that occurred during the preceding calendar year that were reported to the department.
(2) By March 15, 2027, and each March 15th thereafter, the department must publish and make publicly available on the website an annual report of unauthorized spills or discharges containing untreated or undertreated sewage that occurred during the preceding calendar year that were reported to the department.
3 SHB 1670
3 HB 1670
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Action History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

  2. Chapter 315, 2025 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  14. WM - Majority; do pass.

  15. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  16. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

  17. Referred to Ways & Means.

  18. And refer to Ways & Means.

  19. ENET - Majority; do pass.

  20. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

  21. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.

  22. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  25. 1st substitute bill substituted (ENVI 25).

  26. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  27. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  28. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Environment & Energy.

  29. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

  30. Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

  31. Referred to Appropriations.

  32. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  33. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.

  34. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.

  35. Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.

  36. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 19 co-sponsors · 131 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (19)

Not signed on (131)

131 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 131 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#29)

Passed 97 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 38000
Democrat 59001
Total 97001
% of votes cast 99%0%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Not Voting
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Andrew Engell Republican Yea
April Connors Republican Yea
Brian Burnett Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Gloria Mendoza Republican Yea
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
John Ley Republican Yea
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Yea
Michael Keaton Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Yea
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Yea
Stephanie McClintock Republican Yea
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#14)

Passed 49 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 19000
Total 49000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Leonard Christian Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#4)

Passed 96 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 38000
Democrat 58002
Total 96002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Not Voting
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Not Voting
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Andrew Engell Republican Yea
April Connors Republican Yea
Brian Burnett Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Gloria Mendoza Republican Yea
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
John Ley Republican Yea
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Yea
Michael Keaton Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Yea
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Yea
Stephanie McClintock Republican Yea
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety environment
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1670?
HB 1670 is sponsored by Greg Nance (Democrat), Mia Gregerson (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Alex Ramel (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Shelley Kloba (Democrat), Lisa Parshley (Democrat), Chris Stearns (Democrat), Debra Lekanoff (Democrat), Edwin Obras (Democrat), Natasha Hill (Democrat), Davina Duerr (Democrat), Peter Abbarno (Republican), Liz Berry (Democrat), Osman Salahuddin (Democrat), Janice Zahn (Democrat), Adam Bernbaum (Democrat), Beth Doglio (Democrat), Dan Griffey (Republican), and Victoria Hunt (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1670?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1670?
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