SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1992-8751

By Senators Matson, Moore and Vognild

     WHEREAS, The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in its 1990 report noted that upholstered furniture, mattresses, and filling materials were associated with the largest number of estimated fire deaths in 1988; and

     WHEREAS, The state of California requires home furnishings to meet fire retardant requirements established by the state Department of Consumer Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, The 1992 Legislature considered House Bill No. 2318, an act relating to fire retardant requirements for mattresses, upholstered furniture, and filling materials for upholstered furniture and polyurethane foam;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee undertake an interim study to review the issues concerning fire retardant requirements for mattresses, upholstered furniture, and filling materials, and that the study shall review the following:  The effect of California's fire retardant regulations in reducing fire-related deaths; the impact of fire retardant regulations on the business community; and the advantages or disadvantages to the consumers and citizens of the state of Washington should fire retardant requirements be established.