FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1135

C 224 L 11

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding refrigerants for motor vehicles.

Sponsors: House Committee on Environment (originally sponsored by Representatives Finn, Armstrong and Upthegrove).

House Committee on Environment

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

Background:

Federal Significant New Alternatives Policy.

The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program is the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) program to evaluate and regulate substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals that are being phased out under the federal Clean Air Act. Pursuant to its authority under the SNAP program, the EPA has published a list of safe alternative motor vehicle air conditioning substances that are non ozone-depleting chemicals.

Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Equipment.

Washington law prohibits air conditioning equipment from containing any refrigerant that is toxic or flammable, unless the refrigerant is included in the list published by the EPA as a safe alternative motor vehicle air conditioning substitute for chlorofluorocarbon-12. Air conditioning equipment is defined in statute.

A person may not sell, equip, or operate on any highway any motor vehicle with air conditioning equipment unless it complies with state law.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) may adopt and enforce safety requirements and regulations (applicable to motor vehicle air conditioning equipment) consistent with the current recommended practice or standard approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The Department of Ecology.

Under the federal Clean Air Act, states have the option to implement either federal motor vehicle emission standards or California motor vehicle emissions standards for passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles. Legislation was enacted adopting California motor vehicle emissions standards and authorizing the Department of Ecology (DOE) to adopt rules to implement these standards.

Summary:

Air conditioning equipment may not contain any refrigerant that is toxic or flammable, unless the refrigerant is allowed under motor vehicle emission standards rules adopted by the DOE (instead of the list published by the EPA for safe alternative motor vehicle air conditioning substitutes for chlorofluorocarbon-12).

Provisions related to selling or operating a motor vehicle with air conditioning equipment are modified and limited to new motor vehicles.

The provision allowing the WSP to adopt safety requirements and regulations applicable to motor vehicle air conditioning equipment is removed.

Votes on Final Passage: