HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1532
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to prohibition of smoking in residence halls at public institutions of higher education.
Brief Description: Prohibiting smoking in publicly owned residence halls at public institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Cox, Schual-Berke, Kenney, Pflug, McDermott, Simpson, Hunt, Rockefeller and Kagi.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/12/03, 2/20/03 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
• Smoking is prohibited in publicly owned residence halls at public institutions of higher education. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Benson, Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
The Washington Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking in public places, except for designated smoking areas. Smoking is prohibited in classrooms and lecture halls in schools, colleges, and universities. Colleges and universities may permit smoking in certain designated areas, including residence halls.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Smoking is prohibited in publically owned residence halls at public institutions of higher education. The Higher Education Coordinating Board will adopt a rule defining ‟residence hall.”
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The prohibition against smoking in a residence hall is moved from Title 28B RCW to the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act. The Higher Education Coordinating Board will adopt a rule defining "residence hall."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: College students should not be exposed to tobacco smoke in residence halls. A definition of residence halls would help colleges and universities in determining where smoking should be banned.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: (In support) Representative Quall, prime sponsor; Mary Selecky, Department of Health; and Mike O'Sullivan, American Cancer Society.
(Questions) Edie Harding, The Evergreen State College; and Larry Ganders, Washington State University.