HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2283

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to noise pollution.

Brief Description:  Transferring the "noise pollution" responsibilities of the department of ecology to the department of health.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Haugen, Zellinsky, Anderson, Ferguson, Spanel, Winsley, D. Sommers, Paris and Orr.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, January 31, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; R. Fisher; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  The Department of Ecology has statutory authority for the state's noise pollution control program.  Local governments may draft their own noise ordinances, which they then submit to the Department of Ecology for approval.  If the department fails to approve or disapprove a local government noise ordinance within 90 days of its submittal, the ordinance is deemed approved.  Local governments have enforcement authority and responsibility for noise pollution violations.

The state's noise pollution control program was funded originally by a federal grant.  Funding for the program was cut several years ago.  The program now has no funding and no dedicated staff.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Statutory authority for the state's noise pollution control program is transferred from the Department of Ecology to the Department of Health.  No funding, personnel, or other resources are included in the transfer.  Noise pollution control appeals previously directed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board are now directed to the Board of Health.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill makes technical changes consistent with the transfer in authority from the Department of Ecology to the Department of Health.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Noise is probably more of a health problem than an environmental problem.

Testimony Against:  There is no funding for the program now at Department of Ecology, nor is funding available for the program at Department of Health.  If the goal is to have a stronger state noise pollution control program, this transfer will not achieve that end.

Witnesses:  Tom Eaton, Department of Ecology; and Eric Slagle, Department of Health (both unopposed, but with concerns).