FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2338

                        PARTIAL VETO

                         C 204 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Prohibiting the department of ecology from listing anhydrous ammonia as a class B hazardous air pollutant until the federal government does.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Schoesler, Grant, Sheahan, McMorris, Mastin, Fuhrman, Chandler, Honeyford and Thompson).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks

Background:  Ammonia is widely used by industry in a number of applications, including the manufacture of fertilizers.

The Department of Ecology has defined, by rule, the chemicals that are subject to toxic air pollutant requirements.  These rules distinguish between Class A and Class B toxics.  Class A toxics are chemicals known or suspected to be carcinogenic; Class B toxics are not considered carcinogenic. 

The department has classified ammonia as a Class B toxic air pollutant and has assigned it a numeric threshold.  A facility that exceeds this threshold is required to complete a detailed analysis identifying the risk posed by the toxic air pollutant and measures to control the pollutant.  A facility exceeding the threshold may or may not be required to install pollution control technology.  Any regulatory action taken by the department is based on the results of the detailed analysis.

Summary:  The Department of Ecology is prohibited from regulating ammonia emissions that result from any non-production activity related to making or using ammonia as an agricultural or silvicultural fertilizer.

Partial Veto Summary:  The legislative findings section is vetoed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

Senate    47 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996