HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2643

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 Reported by House Committee On:

Ecology & Parks

Title: An act relating to providing better water quality during charitable car washes.

Brief Description: Providing better water quality during charitable car washes.

Sponsors: Representative Chase.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Ecology & Parks: 1/19/10, 1/22/10, 1/29/10 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Requires the Department of Ecology and the Puget Sound Partnership to use existing funds to increase public awareness and education regarding the effects of charity car washes on water quality and drinking water quality.

  • Requires the Department of Ecology and the Puget Sound Partnership to provide the option of acquiring car wash kits as part of their existing storm water assistance programs.

  • Allows money in the Puget Sound Recovery Account to be used to provide car wash kits to nonprofit organizations.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Upthegrove, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Chase, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Finn and Hudgins.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Short, Ranking Minority Member; Orcutt, Shea and Taylor.

Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).

Background:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that wash-water generated from outdoor car washing may contain many types of contaminants, including large amounts of petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and nutrients. In addition, data provided by the International Carwash Association representing wastewater discharged to publicly owned treatment plants from various commercial facilities indicate a similar inventory of pollutants generated by car washing activity.

The Puget Sound Partnership 2008 Action Agenda (Action Agenda) declares that pollution-related water quality problems in the freshwaters and marine waters of Puget Sound include excess nutrients and contamination by toxic chemicals draining from urban areas. The Action Agenda also points out that pollution entering Puget Sound’s rivers, lakes, and marine waters does so through a variety of pathways, and that surface water runoff appears to be the primary transportation route, with the most concentrated loads coming from developed lands.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Ecology (DOE) and the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) must use existing funds to increase public awareness and education regarding the effects of charity car washes on water quality and drinking water quality. The DOE and the PSP must provide educational materials and guidance to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions on how to properly conduct a charity car wash that would minimize the car wash's effects on water quality and drinking water quality. The guidance must include what equipment is necessary for car washes to minimize their effects on water quality and drinking water quality, as well as education on storm water pollution.

The DOE and the PSP must, as part of their existing storm water assistance programs, provide the option of acquiring kits that would provide charity car washes with the necessary equipment to minimize their effects on water quality and drinking water quality.

Money in the Puget Sound Recovery Account may be used to provide car wash kits to nonprofit organizations.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill eliminates the restrictions on how the charity car wash fundraisers may operate during a car wash, and adds the requirement for the DOE and the PSP to use existing funds to increase public awareness and education regarding the effects of charity car washes on water quality and drinking water quality, the requirement that the DOE and the PSP provide the option of acquiring car wash kits as part of their existing storm water assistance programs, and the allowance that money in the Puget Sound Recovery Account be used to provide car wash kits to nonprofit organizations.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Human behavior can change once a problem is pointed out to them. It is the great American past-time to wash your car, but if it harms our waterways, we should change our behavior. Charity car washes can sell car wash tickets or use a car wash kit that drains the water into the municipal system instead of polluting the waterways.

(In support with amendments) It is a goal of the Action Agenda to reduce runoff into Puget Sound. The PSP already has an education component to help address these problems.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Chase, prime sponsor.

(In support with amendments) Michael Grayum, Puget Sound Partnership.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.