SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 644

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Rust, Allen, May, Hine, Unsoeld, Valle and Rasmussen; by request of Puget Sound Water Quality Authority)

Authorizing the department of ecology to certify testing laboratories for departmental submittals.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

     Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Hansen, Kiskaddon.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Many federal, state, and local laws require laboratory tests to enable monitoring and ensure compliance.  The Clean Water Act, for example, requires routine testing of wastewater discharges from municipal and industrial sources.  Several programs proposed by the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority will also require laboratory testing. 

Procedures for the collection and analysis of laboratory samples are not currently standardized.  Lack of procedural uniformity makes test results from different laboratories difficult to compare.  As a result, the usefulness of laboratory tests is impaired.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology will develop a program to certify laboratories which conduct tests or prepare data for the department.

Certification fees may be assessed to cover the Department's costs.  Fees shall be capped at $4,000 per year for persons operating a lab for their own use and holding federal discharge permit.  Fees and quality control requirements shall not be implemented before September 30, 1988.

Laboratories which participate in quality assurance programs administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency shall be exempt from certification and fee requirements for those tests regulated under the federal program.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The director may grant certification to laboratories having federal certification.

Certification fees shall be capped at $4,000 per year or the Department's actual costs, whichever is less.

Exemption from certification and fee requirements shall be granted only to persons holding wastewater discharge permits and operating laboratories solely for their own use.

Fiscal Note:    requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Dr. Jerry Smedes, Rabanco; Kathy Fletcher, Puget Sound Water Quality Authority; Dick Cunningham, Ecology