House Bill Analysis

HB 2997

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND ECOLOGY COMMITTEE                 February 4, 2000

BACKGROUND:

In 1992 legislation was enacted to allow the Department of Ecology to delegate to a health district or county upon request, the authority to administer and enforce the well sealing and decommissioning portions of the water well construction program.  Well tagging was expressly added to these delegable authorities in 1993.   The statute which allowed the delegation of this authority was originally set to expire in 1996, but it was extended for an additional four years.

The authority for the Department of Ecology to delegate the administration and enforcement of tagging, sealing, and decommissioning portions of the water well construction program expires on June 30, 2000 unless extended by the Legislature.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology may delegate on a permanent basis to a health district or county the authority for administering and enforcing the tagging, sealing, and decommissioning portions of the water well construction program.

Appropriation:None

Fiscal Note:None requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.