HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2082

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to eliminating the wood stove education program and associated fees.

Brief Description:  Eliminating the wood stove education program.

Sponsors:  Representative Chandler.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  3/21/95, 3/22/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives Silver, Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Huff, Vice Chairman; Pelesky, Vice Chairman; Basich; Beeksma; Brumsickle; Carlson; Chappell; Cooke; Crouse; Foreman; Grant; Hargrove; Hickel; Lambert; Lisk; McMorris; Reams; Sehlin; Sheahan and Talcott.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Valle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dellwo; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Poulsen; Rust; Thibaudeau and Wolfe.

Staff:  Nancy Stevenson (786-7137).

Background:  In 1987, the Legislature directed the Department of Ecology to establish a program to educate the public and wood stove dealers regarding emissions from the use of wood stoves.  The program must include information about: the effects of wood stove emissions; methods of achieving better emission performance; the benefits of replacing inefficient wood stoves; and wood stoves that have been approved by the department and the Environmental Protection Agency as meeting emission standards. 

The original legislation established a flat fee of $5 on the retail sale of wood stoves to support the education program.  The fee was increased by the Legislature to $15 in 1990, and to $30 in 1991.   In 1990, the use of fee revenue was expanded to include enforcement activities.  Fees are deposited into the Wood Stove Education and Enforcement Account.

The 1993-95 Omnibus Appropriations Act appropriates $1.3 million from wood stove fees.  

Summary of Bill:  The bill repeals the requirement for the Department of Ecology to establish the wood stove public education program.  The Wood Stove Education and Enforcement Account is eliminated.   The $30 wood stove fee is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 20, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Wood stove emissions represent 12 percent of the state's air particulate pollution problem.  This program takes a cooperative approach in reducing emissions from wood stoves and avoids more heavy handed regulations.  This program should be continued, not eliminated.

Testified:  Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club (con).