SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2287

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.

Background: The Department of General Administration (GA) oversees the state recycled content standards for several types of products, including paper. The GA was directed to implement a plan for state agencies to increase their recycled content product purchases back in the late 1990s. In the plan, a graduated increase in purchases of recycled content paper was required. The State Printer also has specific percentage purchase requirements for recycled content paper.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Each state agency is required, by July 1, 2010, to develop and implement:

a paper conservation program;
a paper recycling program to encourage recycling of all paper products with the goal of recycling 100 percent of all copy and printing paper in all buildings with 25 employees or more.

State agency includes but is not limited to colleges, universities, offices of elected and appointed officers, the Supreme Court, court of appeals, and administrative departments of state government.

By December 31, 2009, all state agencies must purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper used in office printers and copies.

State agencies that utilize office printers and copiers that, after reasonable attempts, cannot be calibrated to utilize such paper must:

purchase paper at the highest recycled content that can be utilized efficiently by the copier or printer.
at the time of lease renewal or at the end of the life-cycle either lease or purchase a model that will efficiently utilize 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper.

Print projects that require the use of high volume production inserters or high speed digital devices are not required to meet the 100 percent recycled content standard but must utilize the highest recycled content that can be utilized efficiently.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): The striking amendment requires each state agency, by July 1, 2010, to develop and implement:

a paper conservation program;

a paper recycling program to encourage recycling of all paper products with the goal of recycling 100 percent of all copy and printing paper in all buildings with 25 employees or more.

State agency includes but is not limited to colleges, universities, offices of elected and appointed officers, the Supreme Court, court of appeals, and administrative departments of state government.

By December 31, 2009, all state agencies must purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper used in office printers and copies.

State agencies that utilize office printers and copiers that, after reasonable attempts, cannot be calibrated to utilize such paper must:

purchase paper at the highest recycled content that can be utilized efficiently by the copier or printer.
at the time of lease renewal or at the end of the life-cycle either lease or purchase a model that will efficiently utilize 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute House Bill: PRO: The city of Seattle has a program like this and they were able to use less paper and save money. Universities and colleges in our state do this as do many private businesses that have programs such as the one outlined in the bill. There is a striking amendment that the committee is asked to move. The striking amendment continues to direct state agencies to continue to work towards 100 percent recycled paper. The original bill would have created difficulties in that the machines in some agencies cannot handled 100 percent recycled paper so the striking amendment builds in flexibility.