HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2708

BYRepresentatives Haugen, Rayburn, Cooper, Ferguson, Jones, McLean, Braddock and R. Meyers 

Authorizing public utility districts to perform sewer inspections.

House Committe on Local Government

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

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Republican Member; Horn, Kirby, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Wolfe.

House Staff:Bill Lynch (786-7092)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Public utility districts provide sewage disposal in some areas of the state.  There is no specific statutory authority for a public utility district to perform its own inspections and maintenance of sewage facilities, approved septic tanks and septic tank systems, wastewater, or systems associated with rehabilitating surface or underground water.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A public utility district, if authorized by a county health board, may perform operations and maintenance, including inspections of on-site sewage disposal facilities, alternate sewage disposal facilities, approved septic tanks or septic tank systems, wastewater facilities and systems, and systems and facilities for the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of surface and underground waters.  The public utility district may charge the system owner for the costs associated with the maintenance of private on-site sewage systems.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Language is added to clarify that inspections are part of operations and maintenance responsibilities rather than a separate permit process.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tom Mortimer, Washington Public Utility District Association; Bob Leach, Jefferson County PUD; and Dave Lenning, Washington State Department of Health.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Public utility districts have the most expertise in parts of the state to perform these inspections.  Other special districts have similar powers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.