HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2406

BYRepresentatives D. Sommers, Day, Moyer, Baugher, Dellwo, Gallagher, Schoon, Holland, Rector and Nealey

Limiting the ban on tobacco on public school property.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1989, legislation was passed requiring school districts to adopt a written policy mandating a prohibition on the use of all tobacco products on public school property. The total ban will begin on September 1, 1991.  The policy allowed an exemption for alternative educational programs.  Following passage, it was discovered that in some locations, school districts shared facilities with city government or property leased to private organizations.  Because this was school property, the ban applied to these facilities as well.

SUMMARY:

The policy banning the use of tobacco products shall apply to all school property unless the property is used primarily by another governmental body, is leased to a private organization, or is not used for school purposes, activities or events at any time.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Duane Sommers; Leann Chaney, Washington State Parent Teacher Association; Mike Ryherd, Tobacco Addiction Coordinating Council; Ken Watson, Seattle Public Schools; and Dave Westberg, Stationary Engineers.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Jo Wadsworth, Department of Health.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This is a technical amendment to deal with the issue of school facilities that are used by other than the school district.  Examples are buildings that are owned by a school district but have been leased to someone else for a noneducational use such as governmental offices or shops.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      This will weaken the prohibition and allow smoking when school is not in session.