HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 238

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper, Allen, Rust, Haugen, Nutley, Unsoeld and Lux)

Revising provisions on solid waste management.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Bumgarner, Ferguson, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Rayburn and L. Smith.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

State law authorizes the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to franchise, regulate and supervise garbage and refuse collection companies in the state that operate outside of a city or town.  Cities and towns can collect garbage with their own employees or contract with a garbage and refuse collection company for such collection, neither of which is subject to UTC regulation.

State law requires every county to adopt a comprehensive solid waste management plan.  Cities within the county participate in this plan as follows: (1) they prepare their own solid waste management plan for integration into the county plan; (2) they enter into an agreement with the county to participate in jointly preparing the county comprehensive plan; or (3) they authorize the county to prepare a plan for the city that is incorporated into the county comprehensive plan.  Solid waste disposal sites and facilities must be located and maintained in accordance with the comprehensive plan.

The Department of Ecology has been authorized to adopt regulations for solid waste disposal sites and facilities.

SUMMARY:

The standards by which the Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates garbage and refuse collection companies operating in the unincorporated areas of the county includes compliance with the applicable comprehensive solid waste management plan.

The county legislative authority of the county that prepared the applicable comprehensive plan is required to comment in writing to the UTC concerning its perception of the adequacy of the service being provided by the collection company, and to forward letters it receives concerning such service.

The maximum civil fine that could be imposed by the UTC on a garbage and refuse collection company is increased from $100 to $500 per day per violation.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  (1) A county is permitted to periodically comment on its perception of a franchised garbage hauler's service, instead of requiring a county to comment on such service before an enforcement order is issued by the UTC; and (2) language is removed that increased the maximum UTC civil penalty to $500 per day for a franchised garbage hauler not complying with a comprehensive solid waste management plan.

Fiscal Note:    Requested February 19, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Representative Cooper, Prime Sponsor; Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities; and Jim Williams, Washington Association of Counties.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     This will help counties.  Solid waste is becoming a big issue that necessitates flexible resources.  People need a local sounding board for their complaints about service.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.