SB 5961 - DIGEST

Finds that federal rule, 40 C.F.R. Sec. 122.42, requires concentrated animal feeding operations have as a part of their nutrient management plans a component that ensures proper management of mortalities and that these plans be developed and implemented by December 31, 2006. If this deadline is not met, the operations may be subject to fines for failure to comply with this requirement.

Finds that currently there is no clear direction in state policy as to what will be considered proper management.

Declares that rules that establish what constitutes proper management need to be developed with sufficient lead time so that the requirements can be incorporated into livestock nutrient management plans and be implemented by the federally established deadline.

Requires the department of agriculture to develop rules to assure the proper management of all nonemergency livestock carcass disposals in the state to fulfill the requirement of 40 C.F.R. Sec. 122.42. The department shall adopt these rules in consultation with the department of ecology, the department of health, and other applicable regulatory entities. The rule adopted under this act shall be the exclusive state requirement to meet 40 C.F.R. Sec. 122.42(1)(ii). The department shall adopt emergency rules to implement this act by August 30, 2005.

Repeals RCW 16.68.020.