HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2135

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Agriculture & Ecology

Title:  An act relating to solid waste permit renewal.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for solid waste permits.

Sponsors:  Representatives Chandler, Chappell, Horn, Rust, Mastin, Regala and Murray; by request of Department of Ecology.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Ecology:  1/17/96, 1/29/96 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Chandler, Chairman; Koster, Vice Chairman; Chappell, Ranking Minority Member; Linville, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Clements; Delvin; Honeyford; Johnson; Murray; Ogden; Robertson; Rust and Schoesler.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  Local health jurisdictions are responsible for issuing permits to solid waste facilities.  In issuing permits, the local health department must determine if the solid waste facility meets the local health and zoning requirements, the local solid waste management plan, and all applicable state and federal solid waste laws and regulations.  Current state law requires these permits to be renewed annually.  The term "solid waste handling facility" refers to all types of solid waste facilities, including recycling centers, transfer stations, drop-boxes, landfills, and incinerators.  

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A local health jurisdiction is authorized to issue a permit for solid waste handling facilities for a period of one to five years.  The decision on the duration of the permit is to be determined by the local health jurisdiction issuing the permit.  A public hearing is required prior to issuing a permit for any solid waste handling facility.  A solid waste facility must be permitted prior to make any substantial change.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill clarifies that a local health jurisdiction can permit all solid waste facilities on a less than annual basis, not just landfills and incinerators.  It also clarifies that a facility must receive a permit prior to making any substantial change.  A provision is added requiring a public hearing prior to issuing a permit.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Not all solid waste facilities need to be permitted annually.   This bill will allow local health jurisdictions to reduce their permitting and paperwork requirements.   The bill appropriately allows the local health jurisdiction to decide the duration of the permit.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Don Leaf, Environmental Health Director; Jim Pendowsley, Solid Waste Program, Department of Ecology; and Bill Vogler, Washington Association of Counties (all in favor).