SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5305

As Passed Senate, March 11, 2003

Title: An act relating to the availability of construction aggregates used in transportation and construction projects.

Brief Description: Reviewing the state's need for construction aggregates.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Land Use & Planning (originally sponsored by Senators Mulliken, T. Sheldon, Sheahan, Reardon and Esser).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 2/6/03, 2/25/03 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/11/03, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5305 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; Kline, McCaslin, Morton and T. Sheldon.

Staff: Jennifer Arnold (786-7471)

Background: Aggregate rock is a non-renewable mineral resource, composed of materials such as sand and gravel, which is used for mixing with cementing material to form concrete, mortar or plaster. Aggregate that is of sufficient commercial quality to meet construction standards is not located in all regions of the state. The cost to transport aggregate to construction sites can be substantial. In addition, the processing and permitting costs associated with constructing a long-term production facility may be as substantial as the transportation costs. As a result, projects may not be completed in a timely and economical fashion with the quality of aggregates necessary for long-term durability.

Summary of Bill: A six-person committee is established for the purpose of determining whether there is sufficient construction aggregates within Washington State to meet the requirements of 20-year comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and to meet the state's transportation needs under the GMA.

The committee determines whether environmental permit review procedures are efficient in balancing the need for timely processing of applications, while at the same time ensuring that adequate environmental protections exist.

The committee determines in general how the aggregate industry should be regulated and submits a final report as to all of the committee's findings to the Legislature by no later than December 15, 2003.

Technical and staff support is provided to the committee by the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and the Department of Transportation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: The study is necessary to determine if the state will have enough aggregate resources in the future to complete GMA projects and whether the permitting process is efficient. The Department of Natural Resources agrees that a study needs to be conducted, but has concerns that if the Governor's proposed budget is enacted that the department will not have the resources necessary to assist with the study.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Bruce Chattin, WA Aggregates and Concrete Assn. (pro); Ron Teissere, Dept. of Natural Resources (pro).

House Amendment(s): Three additional members are added to the committee as county representatives, from (1) a county east of the Cascades, (2) a highly urbanized county, and (3) a rural county.