FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1136

C 77 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Regarding product standards.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Schoesler, Wood, Ahern, Gombosky, Cox, Grant, Doumit, G).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Water

Background:

The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as amended requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare guidelines for the procurement by federal agencies of items containing recovered materials.  The guidelines adopted by the EPA designate items that are or can be made with recovered materials and whose procurement by agencies will carry out the objectives of the federal Act, as determined by the EPA.

The EPA=s product standards for a number of materials have been adopted by statute for state purchases, unless the director of the Department of General Administration finds that different standards would significantly increase recycled product availability or competition.  Included among these products standards are those for building insulation.  These standards apply to recycled product purchasing by state agencies and may be used by local governments in making purchases.

Summary:

By July 1, 2001 the director of the Department of General Administration must adopt product standards for strawboard and for products made from strawboard.  The straw in the strawboard must be that produced as a by-product in the production of cereal grain or turf or grass seed.  The list of products for which the product standards of the EPA are adopted by reference, unless modified as authorized, includes all building products and materials, not just building insulation.

The state entities that make their recycled product purchases in conformity with these standards now expressly includes state postsecondary educational institutions.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate460

Effective:  July 1, 2001