SB 5043-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that: (1) 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;

(2) Exposure to bass sound harmonics may cause long-term damage;

(3) 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;

(4) 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

(5) The state noise program has not been comprehensively reviewed with respect to its application to bass sound harmonics.

Declares an intent 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.

Requires that, 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.

Appropriates the sum of sixty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, 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.