SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6098

              As Passed Senate, February 9, 1996

Title:  An act relating to solid waste permit renewal.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for solid waste permits.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe and Swecker; by request of Department of Ecology.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ecology & Parks:  1/16/96, 1/17/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/9/96, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Susan Ridgley (786-7444)

Background:  Every county in the state must prepare a comprehensive solid waste plan, which is reviewed and approved by the Department of Ecology.  The jurisdictional health department may then issue permits for solid waste disposal facilities in accordance with the plan.  These permits must be periodically renewed; at that time, the health department makes sure that the facility meets all the local and state requirements and is in compliance with the solid waste management plan. 

Summary of Bill:  Two minor changes to the current permit renewal procedure are made:

(1)It is clarified that a jurisdictional health department informs the Department of Ecology about permit renewals only when there are substantial proposed changes in the design or operation of the facility.

(2)The requirement that permits be renewed annually is removed.  Instead, the Health Department may decide on renewal frequency, as long as it is within the range of one to five years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Simplifies regulatory requirements, provides more discretion and flexibility for local government, and more appropriate oversight role for state agency.

Testimony Against:  Less frequent permit review means that poorly managed facilities could pollute longer before county or citizens can make change in permit.  Local government shouldn't be given this power.

Testified:  Jim Boldt, Rabanco (pro); Darlene Madenwald, Organization for the Preservation of Ag Land, Adams County (pro); Don Leaf, Thurston County (pro); Jim Pendowski, Department of Ecology (pro); Wendy Hall, R-CAUS (con); Tina Diller, R-CAUS (con); Bill Vogler, Assn. of Counties (pro).