HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2361

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Environmental Affairs

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to the disposal of large residential appliances.

Brief Description:  Providing for the disposal of large residential appliances.

Sponsors:  Representatives J. Kohl, Horn, Rust, Foreman, Linville, L. Johnson, R. Johnson and Pruitt.

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, January 26, 1994, DPS;

Appropriations, February 2, 1994, DPS(ENA-A APP).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Foreman; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; and Roland.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson; Hansen; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Washington State has an active scrap metal recycling industry.  Washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners and other major appliances can be recycled because of their scrap metal content.  One problem that has plagued the scrap metals recycling industry is the presence of problem wastes such as heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) in these major appliances.  These problem wastes are typically removed by "processors" and sold to steel mills or metals exporters.  The cost of collecting major appliances and the cost of removing the problem waste can exceed the value of the scrap metal.  There are currently no statewide standards for the removal of problem wastes in white goods.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Ecology is required to develop uniform standards for the removal of problem wastes in major appliances by September 1, 1994.  Businesses that remove problem waste from major appliances for recycling must register with the Department of Ecology and obey the uniform standards for removing problem wastes.  The registration requirement and uniform standards requirement each take effect on January 1, 1995.  The department is authorized to charge an annual registration fee not to exceed $25. 

A processor that violates the registration requirement or the uniform standards requirement is subject to a civil infraction of up to $50 per appliance.  The Department of Ecology may levy the fine only if it has provided written warning and the processor has failed to comply within 30 days of receiving the warning.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill deletes a provision in the original bill that established a landfill ban for major appliances in certain areas of the state.  The substitute bill adds the registration requirements and requires written notice prior to assessing monetary penalties for violations.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 18, 1994.

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

Testimony For:  Uniform standards are needed for proper management and disposal of problem wastes.  Uniform standards will ensure a better product and less liability for the state's steel mills and metals exporters.

Testimony Against:  None. 

Witnesses:  Kelly Croman, Washington Retail Association (neutral); Helen Matekel, King County Solid Waste Division (pro); Elizabeth Schrag, Washington Citizens for Recycling (pro); Ray Hoffman, Seattle Solid Waste (pro); and Craig Lorch, Total Reclaim, Inc. (pro). 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Environmental Affairs be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended by Committee on Appropriations do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives Sommers, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dunshee; Foreman; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Leonard; Linville; H. Myers; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry and Wolfe.

Staff:  Nancy Stevenson (786-7137).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Environmental Affairs:  The provision authorizing the Department of Ecology to charge a registration fee of up to $25.00 is stricken.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 1994.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.