BILL REQ. #:  S-1380.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to noise control; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that:
     (a) Bass sound harmonics may cause adverse auditory and nonauditory effects, including hearing loss, communication and sleep disturbance, increasing stress levels, changes in mood, and impact to cardiovascular and endocrine systems;
     (b) Exposure to bass sound harmonics may cause long-term damage;
     (c) With increasing population sizes and new and developing technologies for the production of bass sound harmonics, more Washingtonians are exposed for longer periods to bass sound harmonics;
     (d) The scientific research into the health effects of bass sound harmonics has not been extensively studied, and state and local programs relating to the restriction on bass sound harmonics should be considered; and
     (e) The state noise program has not been comprehensively reviewed with respect to its application to bass sound harmonics.
     (2) Therefore, the legislature intends to authorize a comprehensive review of current federal research studies on the health effects of bass sound harmonics, if any, and a review of current state and local noise programs that includes provisions relating to bass sound harmonics in order to provide greater understanding of opportunities to strengthen those programs as well as further public education regarding the health effects of bass sound harmonics.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   By January 1, 2007, the department of health, with the guidance of the board of health, shall provide to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives an assessment of the health effects of bass sound harmonics and recommendations for reducing the effects. The study shall include but not be limited to:
     (1) A review of the literature on the effects of bass sound harmonics, with an emphasis upon more contemporary research completed in the previous two decades. The review shall include research findings on direct auditory effects, as well as nonauditory effects such as sleep, emotional and communication disturbance, and stress effects;
     (2) An assessment of the principal sources of bass sound harmonics in Washington communities and trends in bass sound harmonics in representative urban, suburban, and rural areas;
     (3) A review of the current bass sound harmonics programs at the state and local level, including public education and compliance activities;
     (4) A review of federal noise control laws and programs and regulatory subjects preempted by federal laws with respect to bass sound harmonics; and
     (5) Recommendations for improving state and local noise control programs to address the health effects of bass sound harmonics identified in the study and for more effective administration of existing programs, including state financial and technical assistance to local governments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) In conducting the study required by section 2 of this act, the department of health shall form an advisory committee including representatives of community organizations concerned with bass sound harmonics, industries characterized by high noise levels, motorized vehicle manufacturers, transportation facilities, and scientific research interests. The department may retain independent consultants for technical elements of health effects analyses.
     (2) The department shall provide for public participation in the development of the report, including one or more public forums and the provision of an opportunity for public review and comment upon a draft report.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The sum of sixty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act. The department may contract with another entity to complete portions of the study provisions in this act, but any contract may not allow greater than twenty-five percent of the total contract amount for indirect costs.