H-1946.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2149
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representative Braddock.
Read first time March 1, 1991. Referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs\Appropriations.
AN ACT Relating to waste management, reduction, and recycling; adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the express purpose of the legislature to accomplish effective waste management and to encourage public participation and comprehensive local planning in efforts toward achieving environmentally aware and sensitive communities.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:
(1) The environmental excellence award grant program is hereby established. The department of ecology shall develop and implement the environmental excellence award grant program that recognizes any organization, public or private, that conducts itself in a manner that helps to ensure environmental protection.
(2) Award grants shall recognize achievements in the design and implementation of programs involving the following areas:
(a) Packaging and precycling; including but not limited to the production and consumption of goods that are manufactured with the purpose of reuse and longevity and are packaged in packaging materials meeting the requirements of section 109, chapter ... (House Bill No. 1459), Laws of 1991;
(b) Recycling;
(c) Overall waste management and reduction; and
(d) Education; including public education programs implemented with the purpose of creating community-based knowledge of ways to ensure environmental protection.
(3) The department of ecology shall accept nominations for the environmental award grants. All organizations nominated shall be considered. Organizations not nominated may be awarded grants if the department finds the organization worthy of the environmental excellence award grant. The department shall form an advisory committee to assist in the selection of candidates and the making of decisions regarding the award grants.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of ecology for the purposes of implementing and funding the environmental excellence award grant program under section 2 of this act.