BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the clean Washington center; amending RCW 70.95H.900, 70.95H.005, and 70.95H.030; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 70.95H.900 and 1991 c 319 s 209 are each amended to read as follows:

The center shall terminate on June 30, ((~~1997~~)) 2001.

Sec. 2. RCW 70.95H.005 and 1991 c 319 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Recycling conserves energy and landfill space, provides jobs and valuable feedstock materials to industry, and promotes health and environmental protection;

(b) Seventy-eight percent of the citizens of the state actively participate in recycling programs and Washington currently has the highest recycling rate in the nation;

(d) Many local governments and private entities cumulatively affect, and are affected by, the market for recycled commodities but have limited jurisdiction and cannot adequately address the problems of market development that are complex, wide-ranging, and regional in nature; and

(e) The private sector has the greatest capacity for creating and expanding markets for recycled commodities, and the development of private markets for recycled commodities is in the public interest.

(2) Based on the state's recycling experience and the findings and recommendations of the 1996 future of recycling task force, the legislature finds that:

(a) Washington state has made recycling a long-term strategy for resource conservation and solid waste management;

(b) It is the state's policy to integrate waste reduction with recycling in carrying out this strategy; and

(c) Market development for recycled materials is essential to the success of this strategy, and the state has an ongoing role and commitment in assisting with the development of markets.

(3) It is therefore the policy of the state to create a single entity to be known as the clean Washington center to develop new, and expand existing, markets for recycled commodities.

Sec. 3. RCW 70.95H.030 and 1992 c 131 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The center shall:

(1) Provide targeted business assistance to recycling businesses, including:

(a) Development of business plans;

(b) Market research and planning information;

(d) Referral and information on market conditions; and

(e) Information on new technology and product development;

(2) Negotiate voluntary agreements with manufacturers to increase the use of recycled materials in product development;

(3) Support and provide research and development to stimulate and commercialize new and existing technologies and products using recycled materials;

(4) Undertake an integrated, comprehensive education effort directed to recycling businesses to promote processing, manufacturing, and purchase of recycled products, including:

(a) Provide information to recycling businesses on the availability and benefits of using recycled materials;

(b) Provide information and referral services on recycled material markets;

(d) Participate in projects to demonstrate new market uses or applications for recycled products;

(5) Assist the departments of ecology and general administration in the development of consistent definitions and standards on recycled content, product performance, and availability;

(6) Undertake studies on the unmet capital needs of reprocessing and manufacturing firms using recycled materials;

(7) Undertake and participate in marketing promotions for the purposes of achieving expanded market penetration for recycled content products;

(8) Coordinate with the department of ecology to ensure that the education programs of both are mutually reinforcing, with the center acting as the lead entity with respect to recycling businesses, and the department as the lead entity with respect to the general public and retailers;

(9) Develop an annual work plan. The plan shall describe actions and recommendations for developing markets for commodities comprising a significant percentage of the waste stream and having potential for use as an industrial or commercial feedstock. The initial plan shall address, but not be limited to, mixed waste paper, waste tires, yard and food waste, and plastics; ((~~and~~))

(10) Represent the state in regional and national market development issues; and

(11) Implement the market development recommendations of the 1996 future of recycling task force report which includes:

(a) Researching new technologies and best management practices for using recycled materials;

(b) Working with local government economic development agencies on market development initiatives; and

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.