SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6015

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES,

                               FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Regulating bottled water.

SPONSORS: Senators Barr, Madsen, Gaspard and Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6015 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, and Hansen.

Staff:  Russ Lehman (786-7449)

Hearing Dates: January 30, 1992; February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The International Bottled Water Association has prepared model regulations which contain a number of standard definitions and regulatory requirements for various types of bottled water.

Currently, bottled water sold in Washington State is regulated as a food product under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  This act requires bottled water plants to be licensed with the Department of Agriculture.

Following the introduction of the original bill, the Joint Select Committee on Water Resource Policy reviewed the bill.  The Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture made recommendations for a number of changes to the bill.  These changes are reflected in a proposed substitute bill.

SUMMARY:

The original bill was not considered.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Inserted into statutes administered by the Department of Health are a number of definitions for various types of bottled water.  The State Department of Health is provided with authority to adopt rules to set quality standards for the source or supply of bottled water plants.  If an operator of a bottled water plant knows or has reason to believe that a contaminant not otherwise monitored is present that would create a potential health hazard to consumers, the plant operator is to report such an occurrence to the State Department of Health.

Inserted into the state Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is a specific reference to bottled water.

Bottled water is to conform with federal and state labeling laws and also be labeled in compliance with the definitions and standards provided in this act.  Those include definitions for mineral water, spring water, naturally carbonated water, carbonated water, artesian water, and purified water.  Bottled water products must be labeled in conformance with the requirements set forth in this act.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 28, 1992

TESTIMONY FOR:

Clear regulatory authority would be helpful to the departments in enforcing present law regarding the source and quality of bottled water.  Labeling guidelines would be beneficial to the public and to bottlers who are truly acquiring their water from the source which appears in the advertising.  Some concerns were raised regarding specific language in the original bill which were accommodated in the proposed substitute.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  David Monthie DOH; William and Allen Bechtel, Pure Water Corp.; Jim Wegner, Jeff Cox, WRA; Randy Cowen, Mountain Mist