FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2768

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                          C 19 L 92

Brief Description:  Allowing technical assistance officers for the department of ecology.

By Representatives Horn, Rust, Bowman, D. Sommers, Van Luven, Neher, Bray, Edmondson, Brough, Wynne, Brekke and Tate.

House Committee on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Background:  The Department of Ecology is responsible for enforcing the state's air, water, and solid and hazardous waste laws.  In general, the department is required to enforce violations when they occur. 

In 1988, state law was enacted directing the Department of Ecology to develop a waste reduction program to provide technical assistance to entities interested in reducing the amount of solid or hazardous waste they generated.  The law specifically prohibited employees of the program from issuing citations, notices, or civil penalties. 

Summary:  The Department of Ecology is authorized to appoint one or more technical assistance officers to provide on-site consultation to businesses for the purpose of helping businesses comply with environmental regulations.  The technical assistance officer may report violations to others within the department, but cannot issue violations unless persons or property are at risk of substantial harm. 

The state, department, and technical officers are not liable for technical assistance given or for failure to give technical assistance.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  92   0

Senate 43   2

Effective:    June 11, 1992