HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2226

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to solid waste handling.

Brief Description:  Requiring cities and towns to provide notice for rate increases for solid waste handling services.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Horn, Rust and Cooke).

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, January 20, 1994, DPS;

  Passed House, February 8, 1994, 93-0;

  Amended by Senate;

  Senate receded;

  Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; Roland; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Solid waste collection companies operating in the unincorporated areas of a county must be regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  A city has the option of allowing the UTC to regulate collection, operating a city collection service, or regulating a private collection company. 

A solid waste collection company regulated by the UTC is required to provide 45 days notice to the UTC and the public before changing rates or service levels.

Summary of Bill:  Cities are required to notify the public of a change in solid waste rates 45 days prior to the proposed date of the rate change.  This requirement applies to cities that choose not to use a solid waste collection company regulated by the UTC.  Notification may occur through the mail or through the newspaper.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 18, 1994.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Cities should have the option of sending notice via mail so that ratepayers can be notified directly.  The public notice requirement should be 30 days to better coincide with monthly billings.

Witnesses:  Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities (con).