BILL REQ. #:  H-2176.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to conditioning industrial storm water general discharge permits; and amending RCW 90.48.565.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 90.48.565 and 2004 c 225 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall establish permit fees for construction and industrial storm water general permits as necessary to fund the provisions of RCW 90.48.555 and 90.48.560. When calculating appropriate fee amounts, the department shall take into consideration differences between large and small businesses and the economic impacts caused by permit fees on those businesses. Fees established under this section shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.
     (2) In its biennial discharge fees progress report required by RCW 90.48.465, the department shall include a detailed accounting regarding the method used to establish permit fees, the amount of permit fees collected, and the expenditure of permit fees. The detailed accounting shall include data on inspections conducted and the staff hired to implement the provisions of RCW 90.48.555 and 90.48.560.
     (3)(a) The department may use a portion of the permit fees collected for construction and industrial storm water general permits as necessary to develop a technical assistance program for permittees for the industrial and construction storm water general permits. The program must include specific guidance to assist permittees in permit compliance. The department will review and report on the current technical assistance program and identify ways to increase the program's effectiveness and efficiency. The department shall encourage permittees to help fund and support the technical assistance program with in-kind services.
     (b) The department must develop the technical assistance program in consultation with an advisory committee comprised of at least fifty percent impacted permittees.