SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6015

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Health & Long-Term Care, January 23, 1998

Title:  An act relating to water recreation facilities.

Brief Description:  Repealing water recreation facilities.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio and Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/3/97, 3/4/97 [DPS]; 1/23/98 [DP2S].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6015 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Benton and Strannigan.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background:  RCW Chapter 70.90 regulates the construction and operation of water recreation facilities, including swimming pools, spa pools, and areas designated for swimming in natural waters.  Among other things, it directs the Department of Health to adopt rules governing design, operation, injury and illness reporting, biological and chemical contamination standards, water quality monitoring, inspection, permit application and issuance, and enforcement procedures.  The department, in conjunction with local health officers, administers the chapter.  Both the department and local health officers are authorized to collect fees to cover their responsibilities under this chapter.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:  The exemption in the water recreation facilities regulations for facilities intended for the exclusive use of a condominium complex or any group or association of less than 15 home owners is expanded to include any facility used by a condominium complex or any group or association of less than 75 home owners.

No fee or fee increase collected by the Department of Health or a local health officer to carry out duties related to water recreation facilities may be adopted without a public hearing.  A reduction in the operating permit fee of at least 75 percent is granted when a facility operator demonstrates a satisfactory level of training in pool safety, water quality, maintenance, and operations.

Second Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill repeals all regulation of water recreation facilities.  Nothing is repealed under the substitute bill.  Rather, an existing exemption is expanded and limitations are put on fee collections.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  Repeal of all water recreation facility regulations and inspection activities would eliminate an important role of the Department of Health and local health officers, and would be detrimental to public health.  These regulatory activities help keep swimming pools safe and prevent the spread of disease.  The concerns underlying the bill can be addressed in a less drastic fashion.

Testified:  CON:  Bill White, Department of Health; Gregg Grunenfelder, Washington State Association of Public Health Officials; Tony Gomez, Seattle King County Health Department.