HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     2SSB 5143

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                           Environmental Affairs

Title:  An act relating to recycling.

Brief Description:  Increasing the procurement of recycled products.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, Murray and Conner).

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, April 2, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Brekke; G. Fisher; Neher; Phillips; Pruitt; D. Sommers; Sprenkle; and Van Luven.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  State and local governments can stimulate markets for recyclable materials by purchasing products that contain recycled materials.  State agencies purchase approximately $1.5 billion dollars in goods and services annually.  Thirty-one cities had supply expenditures of $500,000 or more in 1989.

Federal law encourages the purchase of products containing recycled materials by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt procurement guidelines.  Guidelines have been adopted for such materials as: paper products; used oil; fly ash used in construction materials; and for other materials.  The guidelines apply to all federal agencies and to state and local governments purchasing products with federal money.

Current state law encourages the purchase of products containing recycled materials by requiring the Department of General Administration to consider the use of recovered materials when evaluating bids.  The department has developed rules allowing a price preference for recycled products for the purpose of evaluating bids.

Summary of Amended Bill:  By July 1, 1992, General Administration must develop standards for products containing recycled materials for paper, paper products, compost, and latex paint.  By July 1, 1993, it must development standards for plastics, retread tires, remanufactured tires, lubricating oils, automotive batteries and building insulation materials.  The standards are mandatory for state agencies, voluntary for local governments.

By January 1, 1993, each local government that had supply expenditures of $500,000 or more are required to review its procurement policies and to revise them to include products containing recycled materials.  Such local governments must develop a procurement goal and a strategy for attaining the goal.  Local governments are authorized to develop price preference policies for the purchase of products containing recycled materials.

The Department of General Administration must develop a state plan to increase purchases of products containing recycled materials.  The plan must address plastic products, tires, motor oil, latex paint, and vehicle batteries.  The plan must include certain specific goals for paper and landscaping products containing recycled material.  By 1996, 60 percent of the paper purchased must be made from recycled paper.  By 1997, 60 percent of landscaping material purchased must be made from compost.

The department must develop a data base on information relating to products containing recycled materials and to vendors that supply such products. The department must provide technical assistance, including at least two workshops, to state agencies and local governments.  The department must develop model procurement guidelines for local governments.

By January 1, 1995, 75 percent of the paper used by the state printer must contain recycled paper.  After July 1, 1992 vendors must certify the amount of recycled content in a product.

By July 1, 1992, 25 percent of the Department of General Administration's purchases for landscaping materials must be from composted material increasing to 50 percent on or after July 1, 1994.  Twenty-five percent of soil amendment purchases for state highways must contain composted material for the 1991-93 biennium, increasing to 50 percent for the 1993-95 biennium.  Beginning July 1, 1992 25 percent of soil amendment purchases for local roads must contain composted material during years 1992 through 1994.  On and after July 1, 1994, 50 percent of soil amendment purchases for local roads must contain composted material.

The State Building Code Council must study and implement changes as necessary to encourage recycled materials in building construction.

Amended Bill Compared to Second Substitute Bill:  The amended bill adds latex paint to the list of products for which General Administration must develop recycled content standards and address in its plan.  The amended bill also makes a number of technical changes such as deleting obsolete definitions.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  Procurement of products containing recycled materials can help to stimulate markets for recyclable materials and serve as a positive example for citizens and the private sector.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Greg Wright, Washington State Recycling Association (pro); Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Jan Glick and Mike Todd, Washington Citizens for Recycling (pro); Philip Morley, Morley & Associates (pro); Jan Gee, Washington Retail Association (pro); Paul Parker, Washington State Association of Counties (pro); and Meredith Jennings, Department of General Administration (pro).