FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1657

                         C 434 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing the pass‑through of disposal fees for certain solid waste collection companies.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by  Representatives Chandler and Linville).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment

Background:  The Utility Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates the rates of all solid waste collection companies operating in the unincorporated area of a county, and some collection companies operating in cities and towns.  Solid waste collection companies regulated by the UTC have exclusive authority to operate in areas specified by the UTC.

The UTC may not alter or adjust certain costs incurred by solid waste collection companies.  These Apass-through@ costs include landfill disposal costs, disposal taxes, and certain costs relating to implementing a local solid waste management plan.

The UTC may not regulate the rates charged at a landfill or other waste facility that offers services other than waste collection.  The UTC has affiliated interest authority to set allowable collection rates based, in part, on profits made by another solid waste facility when specific criteria are met.  These affiliated interest criteria are met when  (1) a company that owns a solid waste facility receives solid waste from a collection company that it also owns; (2) the landfill disposal or other waste service is not overseen by a public entity; and (3) the solid waste collection company is regulated by the UTC.

Summary:  The UTC is directed to pass-through disposal charges for companies that have an affiliated interest if the total cost of disposal is equal to or lower than the cost of other currently available disposal options.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 34 15

Effective:July 27,  1997