SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2733

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Ecology & Parks, February 15, 1996

Title:  An act relating to well construction.

Brief Description:  Extending for four years the authority to delegate portions of well drilling administration and enforcement to local governments.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Johnson, Sheldon, Koster, Honeyford, Linville, Boldt, McMahan, Hymes, Stevens, Cooke, Mulliken, McMorris, Hargrove and Elliot).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ecology & Parks:  2/14/96, 2/15/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, McAuliffe, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff:  Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background:  The Department of Ecology is responsible for overseeing water well construction.  The department's duties include a licensing program for well drillers, a notification program for proposed wells and abandoned wells, and construction standards for drilling and decommissioning wells.

In 1992, legislation was passed to allow the Department of Ecology to delegate administration and enforcement of well sealing, well tagging, and well decommissioning to local health districts and counties.  At the request of a local health district or county for delegation, the Department of Ecology must confirm that the county or health district has the resources, capability and expertise to run the program.  The department and the county or health district may then enter into a memorandum of agreement to define the specific authorities delegated.  Currently eleven counties operate water well programs under delegation from the department.   

The authority to delegate elements of the water well program expires June 30, 1996.

Summary of Bill:  The authority to delegate elements of the water well program is extended to June 30, 2000.  The local governing body must exercise only those authorities delegated by the Department of Ecology under this law.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The local delegation has been very successful and should be continued.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gregg Grunenfelder, WA State Assn. of Local Public Health Officials (pro).