HB 1715-S - DIGEST
(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 2ND SUB)

Requires the local board of health in the twelve counties bordering Puget Sound to collect a minimum charge of thirty dollars annually for each on-site sewage system located in the basin of Puget Sound for the purpose of implementing the on-site sewage program management plan.

Authorizes the local board of health to: (1) Continue to charge on-site sewage systems an amount less than the established minimum charge if it has adopted a charge applicable to on-site sewage systems for similar purposes before December 31, 2014; and

(2) Collect the on-site sewage system charge in areas of the county located outside the Puget Sound basin.

Prohibits the local board of health from: (1) Retroactively collecting the on-site sewage system charge; and

(2) Collecting the on-site sewage system charge to finance on-site sewage plan services already paid for by other fees, rates, or charges.

Authorizes counties and the department of health, in order to assist homeowners with the repair and replacement of on-site sewage systems, to consult with the department of ecology to capitalize and administer a sustainable unified low-interest loan program through the department of ecology's established water quality financial assistance program.

Provides that a person exempt from paying property taxes is also exempt from the on-site sewage program charge.