BILL REQ. #:  S-3731.1 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to sustainable practices by state agencies; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature declares that the individual and collective actions of the present generation of Washington citizens should not jeopardize the potential of future generations of Washingtonians to experience a quality of life at least comparable to that enjoyed today. To this end all state agencies should examine and modify their programs and actions to adopt sustainable practices, and all governmental agencies and officials should assess the impacts of their decisions on both present and future generations. The legislature recognizes the contributions of the governor's sustainable Washington advisory panel in guiding the state toward sustainability, and specifically recognizes and adopts the panel's goal of achieving a fully sustainable Washington within one generation.
     Therefore, it is the purpose of this chapter to adopt sustainable practices by all state agencies to contribute toward achieving this goal, and to provide for a state-level entity to focus discussion and analysis of sustainability. It is further the purpose of this chapter to provide advice and recommendations to the governor and legislature for the effective implementation of measures to achieve this goal.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The governor shall create a sustainable Washington advisory panel. The governor may choose to continue with the panel created by the governor and in existence on the effective date of this act, modify that panel's membership, or create a new panel. The primary task of the panel shall be to provide advice to the governor and the legislature on implementing the panel's report, "A New Path Forward: Action Plan for a Sustainable Washington." The panel shall be staffed by the office of financial management. The panel shall ensure that the "New Path Forward" report is readily accessible for public review, including providing a hard copy upon request and posting on an electronic web site.
     (2) The panel shall work with the governor's staff to provide a forum for state agency discussion and analysis of sustainable practices issues. The panel shall also serve as a resource to all state agencies regarding sustainable practices. The panel may provide recommendations directly to a state agency regarding opportunities to align an agency practice or program with the sustainability goals of this chapter and the action plan identified in this section.
     (3) The panel shall also convene forums and use other means to encourage sustainable practices across all sectors, including, but not limited to, local governments, businesses, and nongovernmental nonprofit organizations. The panel shall encourage broad public participation across these sectors and from all geographic areas of the state.
     (4) The panel shall build upon its existing action plan to address the use of performance measures to track progress toward the statewide goal of sustainability, and to consider specific practices that would promote the essential strategic outcomes addressed in the "New Path Forward" report. The panel's analysis should include a broad range of conditions, including, at a minimum, economic vitality, social justice, education, public health, energy, natural resources, waste and recycling, and air and water quality.
     (5) On or about January 1, 2005, July 1, 2005, and January 1, 2006, the panel shall provide progress reports to the governor and legislature on implementation of the action plan and other agency activities to achieve sustainable practices. The final progress report shall also include recommendations for strengthening state agency oversight and coordination to achieve the goal stated in section 1 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the office of financial management for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 2 of this act expires June 30, 2006.