SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 326

BYRepresentatives Grant, Nealey, Kremen, Bristow, McLean, Rayburn, Braddock, Rasmussen, Madsen, Prince, Holm and Miller

Requiring two and one-half percent of the department of ecology's appropriation from the water quality account to be transferred to the state conservation commission.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 24, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Hansen, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bailey, Barr, Gaspard.

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

                  March 24, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, MARCH 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1986 the Legislature passed a major pollution control facility financing act.  The funding for this act was derived from an increase in the tax on cigarettes and cigarette products, and the sales and use tax for components of pollution control facilities and activities.

In the 1986 legislation, up to two and one-half percent of the monies generated were allowed to be transferred to the State Conservation Commission for financing the protection of surface and ground waters especially those projects relating to non-point sources of pollution.

SUMMARY:

The distribution of the monies generated by the increase in the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products and the sales and use tax on components of pollution control facilities is set at two and one-half percent rather than up to two and one-half percent.  The distribution is mandatory rather than discretionary.

The monies shall be transferred to the Conservation Commission instead of going first to the Department of Ecology.

Not less than 10 percent of these monies appropriated to the Conservation Commission shall be used for research.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Jeanne Dickman; Chris Backus