SB 6636 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Requires an interagency work group to be formed by the departments of health, agriculture, and ecology. The purpose of the work group is to develop a comprehensive state policy on proper methods of disposing of animal carcasses that protect other animals and humans.

Requires the review to include an evaluation of any existing or proposed federal regulations and draft technical guides. References to federal regulations and guidance documents may be included in the state policy and the work group shall strive for a high degree of consistency between jurisdictions. Additionally, the interagency work group shall review RCW 16.68.020, WAC 246-203-120(3), and guidance from the United States department of agriculture.

Directs the interagency work group to report to the legislature any statutes that need to be amended to carry out this policy and to recommend adjustment to any inconsistent policies.

Requires the interagency work group to provide a written report to the legislature by December 15th of each year that summarizes the actions of the work group and its findings and recommendations.

Expires December 31, 2005.

Provides that the department of ecology, after consulting the interagency work group's state policy as reported under this act, shall review and, as necessary, adopt additional minimum standards that landfills must meet to accept animal carcasses. In developing the standards, the department shall take into consideration whether animals to be disposed of may carry various types of diseases.

Directs the department of agriculture, after consulting the interagency work group's state policy as reported under this act and the state conservation commission, to review and, as necessary, adopt standards that provide for the proper on-site disposal of carcasses of livestock as defined in RCW 16.50.110 by the owner which may be more restrictive than those provided in RCW 16.68.020. The department shall take into consideration whether livestock to be disposed of may carry various types of diseases.

Provides that a person who violates rules adopted under this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.