SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5952

                    As of February 24, 1997

Title:  An act relating to water recreation facilities.

Brief Description:  Revising permit requirements for water recreation facilities.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio and Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  2/25/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background:  Current law authorizes the Department of Health, in conjunction with local health officers, to regulate the safety, sanitation, and water quality of water recreation facilities.  The law requires that a permit be obtained prior to the construction or modification of a water recreation facility, and also requires each facility to obtain an annual operating permit.

Local health officers and the Department of Health may collect fees sufficient to cover their costs in implementing  the water recreation facilities regulations.  The department is to deposit the fees it collects into the general fund.

Summary of Bill:  The authority of local health officials and the Department of Health to collect fees to cover the cost of regulating water recreation facilities is removed, as is the requirement that the department deposit its fees into the general fund.  Instead, local health officials and the department are authorized to collect permit fees sufficient to cover the cost of issuing facility construction or modification permits.

The law requiring water recreation facilities to obtain an annual operating permit is repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1997.

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

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