SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6081
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.
As Passed Senate, March 13, 2007
Title: An act relating to outdoor burning in urban growth areas of certain small cities.
Brief Description: Regarding outdoor burning in small cities.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette, Poulsen, Honeyford and Rasmussen).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 3/05/07 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 3/13/07, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6081 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.
Staff: Steve Jones (786-7440)
Background: Under the Washington Clean Air Act, outdoor burning is prohibited in the
following areas:
1) any area of the state where state or federal air quality standards are exceeded;
2) any urban growth area designated under the state Growth Management Act; and
3) any city with a population of more than 10,000 if the city may exceed the state or federal
air quality standards.
Summary of Substitute Bill: In counties that do not include any areas that are designated nonattainment areas under the federal Clean Air Act, outdoor burning is allowed until July 1, 2008, in urban growth areas of cities with a population of less than 2,500 if the city legislative authority votes to allow outdoor burning. The city must submit a vegetative waste management plan to the Department of Ecology by June 30, 2008. The department is directed to convene a work group to recommend good solid waste management practices for smaller communities by December 31, 2007.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill extends for an additional year the authority for 56 small communities to continue to allow outdoor burning while the Department of Ecology works on recommendations for solid waste management practices. For yard waste, it is a trade-off between solid waste, which requires landfills, and outdoor burning, which affects air quality.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Parlette, prime sponsor; Dave Williams, Association of Cities.