SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6616

BYSenator McCaslin

Revising provisions for the water quality account.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1988

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

AS OF FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1986 the Legislature approved ESSB 4519.  It provides $40 to $45 million annually to local governments for water quality projects and activities including grants and loans to local governments for constructing sewage treatment facilities and addressing other water quality related efforts.  The money is generated by a tax on cigarettes.

The Department of Ecology is authorized to provide the funds in the form of loans, grants or a combination of the two.  The federal water quality financial assistance program is scheduled to become a loan program by 1991.  The department has not yet gone to a loan or combination loan/grant program, but plans to do so in the near future.

SUMMARY:

All monies to public bodies from the state's water quality financial assistance program (RCW 70.146) are to be provided in the form of grants at a minimum 50 percent level.

At the request of a public body, the department is to be allowed to provide funds from the water quality account in the form of loans or a combination of loans and grants.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 5, 1988