SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5349

BYSenators Bailey, Bauer, Barr, Anderson and Hansen

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.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987; February 19, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5349 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

                  February 19, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 19, 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The money is transferred directly to the Conservation Commission instead of going first to the Department of Ecology.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Ron Juris, Association of Conservation Districts; Carol Jolly, Department of Ecology