SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2137

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Ways & Means, February 20, 1996

Title:  An act relating to department of ecology biennial progress reports.

Brief Description:  Requiring biennial progress reports from the department of ecology.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/20/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Cantu, Drew, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, McDonald, Moyer, Pelz, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Strannigan, Sutherland, West and Winsley.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786-7708)

Background:  The Department of Ecology is required to submit regular reports to the Legislature on a variety of regulatory and financial assistance programs.

The schedule for submitting these reports varies considerably.  Some reports are required to be submitted annually.  Others are required to be submitted biennially.

Summary of Bill:  Consistent timelines are established for the Department of Ecology to submit reports to the Legislature.  New reporting timelines are established for the following programs:  the centennial clean water fund; the Referendum 39 waste management grant program; the state revolving loan fund program for water quality projects; and the NPDES regulatory program.

Beginning in the 1997-99 biennium, the reports are due December 31 of odd-numbered years.  For the grant and loan programs, the reports include a list of each recipient, a project description, and the amount of the grant or loan.  For the NPDES regulatory program, the report consists of information on fees collected, actual expenses incurred, and anticipated expenses for the current and subsequent fiscal years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.