HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1532

As Passed House:

March 13, 2003

Title: An act relating to prohibition of smoking in residence halls at public institutions of higher education.

Brief Description: Prohibiting smoking in residence halls of schools, colleges, and universities.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by 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].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/03, 84-12.

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.”

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: 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.