Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Select Committee on Environmental Health

HB 2143

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring the use of alternatives to lead wheel weights.

Sponsors: Representatives Campbell, Hunt, Chase, Flannigan, Hudgins, Morrell and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes an advisory committee to identify and make available to tire distributors and retailers by September 1, 2007, an approved list of environmentally preferred alternatives to lead wheel weights.
  • Requires replacement of lead wheel weights for passenger vehicles and light trucks with lead-free alternatives beginning January 1, 2008, for state-owned vehicles, January 1, 2009 for all used vehicles registered in Washington state, and January 1, 2010, for all new vehicles registered in Washington state.

Hearing Date: 2/22/07

Staff: Brad Avy (786-7289).

Background:

Lead wheel weights fall off vehicles and end up on and alongside Washington state roadways. They can contribute to soil, surface, and groundwater contamination.

Lead negatively affects every system of the body. It is harmful to individuals of all ages and is especially harmful to children, fetuses, and adults of childbearing age. The negative effects of lead on a child's cognitive, behavioral, and developmental abilities can be significant.

The bill is intended to work in concert with the Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins rule administered by the Department of Ecology (DOE). The rule describes a requirement for the DOE, in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), to develop a multi-year schedule for the preparation of chemical action plans.

Summary of Bill:

The DOE shall establish an advisory committee, in consultation with the DOH and the Department of General Administration, to identify and make readily available to tire distributors and retailers an approved list by September 1, 2007, of environmentally preferred alternatives to lead wheel weights.

The approved list of environmentally preferred alternatives to lead wheel weights must be updated by the DOE every six months beginning January 1, 2008.

Use of environmentally preferred alternative wheel weights is required at the time of the first tire replacement, the first tire repair if the tire is removed from the wheel, or the first tire balancing beginning:

Enforcement of this chapter must rely on notification and information exchange between the DOE and tire distributors and retailers. The DOE must prepare and distribute information to persons in the tire and wheel weight manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, and retail industry, to assist them in identifying environmentally preferred alternative products for lead wheel weights.

The DOE may issue a warning letter to a person in the tire distribution, wholesale, retail, or associated industries that violates the requirements of this bill. The DOE must offer information or other appropriate assistance, but if after one year, compliance is not achieved, penalties may be assessed. Penalties collected under this section must be deposited in the State Toxics Control Account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.