ANALYSIS OF HB 1396

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                        February 3, 1997

BACKGROUND:

Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are a category of air pollutants that are a precursor to ground level ozone (smog).  Sources of VOC's include fuels, solvents, paints, and incompletely combusted wood and fuel emissions. 

Businesses using automotive paint containing VOC's may be subject to a number of air regulations, including registration requirements, emissions limits, and equipment standards.

Federal regulations (40 C.F.R. Sec. 51.165) list a group of compounds that are excluded from the definition of  Avolatile organic compounds@ and therefore do not have significant ozone forming potential.

Rules adopted by the Department of Ecology require that any person involved in generating, transporting, or managing dangerous wastes must have a current EPA/state identification number (WAC 173-303-060).  This provision allows the Department to track dangerous wastes from generation to final disposal.

SUMMARY:

A person may not buy automotive paint in containers greater than 16 ounces without presenting a dangerous waste identification number.  A person buying automotive paint is responsible for recording the identification onto all bills of sale at the time of purchase.  This record-keeping requirement applies only to automotive paints listed by the EPA as having significant ozone forming potential.