HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2277

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Pruitt, D. Sommers, Rust, Walker, Brekke, Schoon, Valle, Fraser, Phillips, Nelson, Sprenkle, Hine and P. King) 

Creating a joint select committee on air quality.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member; Brekke, G. Fisher, Fraser, Phillips, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle, Van Luven and Walker.

House Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7114)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Citizens and agencies participating in the Environment 2010 project have independently cited air pollution as the state's top environmental problem.

According to the Department of Ecology's state of the environment report, significant progress has been made in controlling the six regulated pollutants emitted from large industrial sources. However, such industries may continue to be a significant source of "air toxics," a class of non-regulated emissions suspected of causing adverse health effects.

The Department of Ecology's report also states that automobiles, woodstoves, and outdoor burning may be the predominant sources of regulated pollutants rather than industrial sources.

SUMMARY:

The bill creates a joint select task force on clean air.  The committee consists of six legislative members and nine non- legislative members.  All members have voting privileges.  The committee is directed to recommend to the Legislature ways to improve the state's air quality by January 18, 1991.  The task force will terminate on June 30, 1991.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Henry Sharpe, City of Seattle; Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club; Elizabeth Tabbutt, WEC; and Stu Clark, Geology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Air pollution will be a top environmental priority in the upcoming years.  A joint select committee will provide for necessary legislative involvement.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.