SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2397
AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1992
Brief Description: Imposing a fee on waste transported without a cover.
SPONSORS: House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Bray, Neher, Pruitt, D. Sommers, Rust and Valle)
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES
Staff: Ats Kiuchi (786‑7708)
Hearing Dates: February 20, 1992
BACKGROUND:
The weekend trip to the local landfill with a pickup truck full of garbage is a major contributor to the litter problem in the state. Litter from vehicles with unsecured loads contribute to about 40 percent of all litter according to a statewide survey.
The state Model Litter Control and Recycling Act does not include wastes from mining, logging, sawmilling, farming or manufacturing. The cause for the increase in uncovered loads
littering appears to be that the number of pickup trucks has nearly doubled since 1982.
Current state law makes littering a misdemeanor and is punishable with a fine of not less than $50 and eight to 16 hours of work picking up litter.
Yakima County and the city of Richland have ordinances requiring persons arriving at the landfill without a cover on their waste to pay a surcharge. Both report the measure has reduced litter on the roads leading to the landfill.
SUMMARY:
Local governments with a transfer station or landfill shall adopt an ordinance to reduce litter from vehicles. Persons arriving at a disposal facility without a cover over the waste in a vehicle shall be assessed a fee ranging from $3 to $10 depending on the volume.
Local governments can adopt a higher fee schedule and can exempt wastes that are unlikely to fall out of vehicles moving at normal highway speeds. The disposal facility owner may offer covers for sale. Persons buying a cover receive a one-time exemption from the surcharge.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested February 14, 1992