SB 6271 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Finds that the best way to ensure that drinking water is safe in a particular school building is to test drinking and cooking water outlets such as taps, bubblers, and fountains, and to promptly correct problems where contaminant concentrations are found to exceed safe levels.

Provides that all the enforcement provisions of RCW 70.119.030, 70.119.040, and 70.119.050 relating to public water systems shall be applicable to the secretary's enforcement of the provisions of this act to achieve the public school water quality standards and requirements established under this act.

Directs the department to examine compliance with adopted standards and rules and provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature biennially, beginning December 1, 2006. The report shall include any recommendations, in bill form, for legislation that would improve compliance with, or facilitate the enforcement or achievement of, public school safe drinking water standards established under this act.

Provides that, if a school receives notice from the department that it is not in compliance with public school drinking water standards, the school may not offer a construction bond issue to the voters until the school obtains a letter of approval from the department indicating the department's satisfaction that either:

(1) The construction bond proposal contains specific remedial provisions and dedicated funding likely to bring the school into compliance with public school drinking water standards;

(2) The school has obtained funding or bona fide commitments of funding from other sources sufficient to bring the school into compliance with public school drinking water standards; or

(3) In accordance with rules established under this act, the school has submitted and received approval for an action plan likely to reduce contamination to acceptable levels within a fixed and reasonable time period.