1469-S2 AMH CAMP MADS 035

                

2SHB 1469 - H AMD 262

By Representative Campbell

NOT CONSIDERED 4/26/2009

    On page 16, after line 2, insert the following:

    "Sec. 22.  RCW 70.95M.010 and 2003 c 260 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

    (1) "Automotive mercury switch" includes a convenience switch, such as a switch for a trunk or hood light, and a mercury switch in antilock brake systems.

    (2) "Bulk mercury" includes any elemental, nonamalgamated mercury, regardless of volume quantity or weight.

    (3) "Department" means the department of ecology.

    (((3)))(4) "Director" means the director of the department of ecology.

    (((4)))(5) "Health care facility" includes a hospital, nursing home, extended care facility, long-term care facility, clinical or medical laboratory, state or private health or mental institution, clinic, physician's office, or health maintenance organization.

    (((5)))(6) "Manufacturer" includes any person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, governmental entity, organization, or joint venture that produces a mercury-added product or an importer or domestic distributor of a mercury-added product produced in a foreign country.  In the case of a multicomponent product containing mercury, the manufacturer is the last manufacturer to produce or assemble the product.  If the multicomponent product or mercury-added product is produced in a foreign country, the manufacturer is the first importer or domestic distributor.

    (((6)))(7) "Mercury-added button-cell battery" means a button-cell battery to which the manufacturer intentionally introduces mercury for the operation of the battery.

    (((7)))(8) "Mercury-added novelty" means a mercury-added product intended mainly for personal or household enjoyment or adornment.  Mercury-added novelties include, but are not limited to, items intended for use as practical jokes, figurines, adornments, toys, games, cards, ornaments, yard statues and figures, candles, jewelry, holiday decorations, items of apparel, and other similar products.  Mercury-added novelty does not include games, toys, or products that require a button-cell or lithium battery, liquid crystal display screens, or a lamp that contains mercury.

    (((8)))(9) "Mercury-added product" means a product, commodity, or chemical, or a product with a component that contains mercury or a mercury compound intentionally added to the product, commodity, or chemical in order to provide a specific characteristic, appearance, or quality, or to perform a specific function, or for any other reason.  Mercury-added products include, but are not limited to, mercury thermometers, mercury thermostats, and mercury switches in motor vehicles.

    (((9)))(10) "Mercury manometer" means a mercury-added product that is used for measuring blood pressure.

    (((10)))(11) "Mercury thermometer" means a mercury-added product that is used for measuring temperature.

    (((11)))(12) "Retailer" means a retailer of a mercury-added product.

Sec. 23.  RCW 70.95M.050 and 2003 c 260 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Effective January 1, 2006, no person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a mercury-added novelty.  A manufacturer of mercury-added novelties must notify all retailers that sell the product about the provisions of this section and how to properly dispose of any remaining mercury-added novelty inventory.

    (2)(a) Effective January 1, 2006, no person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a manometer used to measure blood pressure or a thermometer that contains mercury.  This subsection (2)(a) does not apply to:

    (i) An electronic thermometer with a button-cell battery containing mercury;

    (ii) A thermometer that contains mercury and that is used for food research and development or food processing, including meat, dairy products, and pet food processing;

    (iii) A thermometer that contains mercury and that is a component of an animal agriculture climate control system or industrial measurement system or for veterinary medicine until such a time as the system is replaced or a nonmercury component for the system or application is available;

    (iv) A thermometer or manometer that contains mercury that is used for calibration of other thermometers, manometers, apparatus, or equipment, unless a nonmercury calibration standard is approved for the application by the national institute of standards and technology;

    (v) A thermometer that is provided by prescription.  A manufacturer of a mercury thermometer shall supply clear instructions on the careful handling of the thermometer to avoid breakage and proper cleanup should a breakage occur; or

    (vi) A manometer or thermometer sold or distributed to a hospital, or a health care facility controlled by a hospital, if the hospital has adopted a plan for mercury reduction consistent with the goals of the mercury chemical action plan developed by the department under section 302, chapter 371, Laws of 2002.

    (b) A manufacturer of thermometers that contain mercury must notify all retailers that sell the product about the provisions of this section and how to properly dispose of any remaining thermometer inventory.

    (3) Effective January 1, 2006, no person may sell, install, or reinstall a commercial or residential thermostat that contains mercury unless the manufacturer of the thermostat conducts or participates in a thermostat recovery or recycling program designed to assist contractors in the proper disposal of thermostats that contain mercury in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901, et seq., the federal resource conservation and recovery act.

    (4) No person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 2006, if the motor vehicle contains an automotive mercury switch.

    (5) Nothing in this section restricts the ability of a manufacturer, importer, or domestic distributor from transporting products through the state, or storing products in the state for later distribution outside the state.

    (6) Effective June 30, 2011, the sale or purchase and delivery of bulk mercury is prohibited, including sales through the internet or sales by private parties.  However, the prohibition in this subsection does not apply to immediate dangerous waste recycling facilities or treatment, storage, and disposal facilities as approved by the department and sales to research facilities, or industrial facilities that provide products or services to entities exempted from this chapter.  The facilities described in this subsection must submit an inventory of their purchase and use of bulk mercury to the department on an annual basis, as well as any mercury waste generated from such actions."

 

    Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly. Correct the title.

 

      

           EFFECT:  Prohibits the sale or purchase of bulk mercury beginning June 30, 2011, and exempts certain dangerous waste recycling facilities and industrial facilities that provide services to the exempt facilities.  Requires exempt facilities to provide an inventory of the purchase and use of bulk mercury to the Department of Ecology. 

 

 

 

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