BILL REQ. #:  H-1433.1 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to reducing the environmental impact of cleaning in state facilities; adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that cleaning products are necessary for creating and maintaining sanitary conditions in state facilities and workplaces. However, chemicals contained in cleaning products can be released to the environment during normal use by evaporation of volatile components or by leaving residue on cleaned surfaces. Choosing less hazardous cleaning products for use in our workplaces and our facilities and taking steps to reduce exposure can minimize harmful impacts to office and custodial workers, improve indoor air quality, and reduce water and ambient air pollution. Purchasing and appropriate use of products that perform well and that have positive environmental attributes such as biodegradability, low toxicity, low volatile organic compound content, reduced packaging, and low life cycle energy use can reduce the environmental impact of routine cleaning activities while also ensuring cleaning effectiveness. Therefore, the legislature finds that the adoption of practices to select, procure, and use environmentally preferred products will benefit the environment and the health and safety of workers and visitors to state facilities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) All state agencies shall procure and use cleaning products having properties that minimize potential impacts to human health and the environment consistent with maintenance of the effectiveness of these products for the protection of public health and safety. For purposes of this act, "state agency" means any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other agency of the state of Washington or of any subdivision thereof.
     (2) The department of general administration, in consultation with the department of health and the department of ecology, shall provide consultation and guidance to state agencies to:
     (a) Select and procure products and use practices that reduce or minimize the risks of harmful effects to employees, custodial workers, visitors, and other building occupants and to the environment;
     (b) Promote adoption of practices endorsed by this chapter;
     (c) Recognize state agencies that adopt and implement environmentally beneficial facility and workplace management policies and practices;
     (d) Encourage contractors supplying goods and services to state agencies to select and procure such products; and
     (e) Encourage lessors and building managers who provide leased space to state agencies to select and procure such products.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) When procuring cleaning products, state agencies shall purchase environmentally preferred products or document the reasons for selecting alternative products. Such products shall conform to guidance for environmentally preferred purchasing of cleaning products that may be provided under section 2 of this act, or shall be products that have been identified by the department of general administration as compliant with this chapter and made available through a central purchasing contract.
     (2) Each state agency shall assign an individual within such agency who shall:
     (a) Assess current facility management practices and use of cleaning products;
     (b) Evaluate whether these products conform to section 2 of this act;
     (c) Identify and procure conforming cleaning products; and
     (d) Document the reasons for selecting products that do not conform to section 2 of this act and include these reasons in the report required by subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) Within one year of the effective date of this act, the department of general administration and the chief executive of each state agency shall prepare an assessment, which shall be retained as a document available to employees and the general public, of the efforts undertaken by such state agency to comply with this chapter. This document shall be reviewed and updated biennially.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Local governments and school districts are encouraged to review their purchasing and use of cleaning products and select those having properties that minimize potential impacts to human health and the environment consistent with section 2 of this act. The department of general administration must offer any assistance as may be appropriate to assist local governments and school districts to achieve the goals of this chapter, including, but not limited to, assistance with procurement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   State agencies shall transition to cleaning products having properties that minimize potential impacts to human health and the environment within six months of the effective date of this act in a manner that avoids waste of existing inventories, accommodates establishment of supply chains for new products, enables the training of personnel in appropriate work practices, and allows the phase out of products and practices inconsistent with this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.