S-2436               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 3808

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Energy and Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators McManus, Williams, Zimmerman, Stratton and Halsan)

Read first time 3/8/85.

AN ACT Relating to nuclear waste board studies; amending RCW 43.200.150; and adding a new section to chapter 43.200 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.200 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The board shall study the impact of siting a repository for the long-term storage or disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in the state of Washington on the financial and technical resources of all affected state agencies and local governments.  The board shall submit this report to the legislature and the public before holding public hearings on any agreement or modification of an agreement negotiated under RCW 43.200.100(1).

          (2) The board shall seek funds from the United States department of energy to carry out its responsibilities under this section.  In the event the federal government refuses to grant financial assistance for the activities under subsection (1) of this section, the agency is directed to investigate potential legal action.

          (3) The board is authorized to adopt such rules as are necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

        Sec. 2.  Section 14, chapter 161, Laws of 1984 and RCW 43.200.150 are each amended to read as follows:

          The department shall provide administrative and technical staff support as requested by the board.  As directed by the board, the department shall be responsible for obtaining and coordinating technical expertise necessary for board participation in nuclear waste programs and shall be responsible for ongoing technical coordination and administration of program activities.  Other state agencies shall assist the board in fulfilling its duties to the fullest extent possible.  The board and/or the department may contract with other state agencies to obtain expertise or input uniquely available from that agency.  The board may contract with private parties to obtain expertise or input necessary to perform any study required by this chapter.