HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2845

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Hargrove, Basich, P. King, Jones, Kirby and Kremen

Promoting wood products.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Forner, Jones, Leonard and Prentice.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Jim Kelley (786-7166)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Many grocery stores offer plastic grocery bags for customers to carry out their groceries.  Bills have been introduced in the last several sessions to restrict the use of plastic packaging.

The state contracts for the construction of state facilities.  The legislature has not specified particular building materials, other than through the state building code.

The lumber industry uses certain terms with specialized meanings. For example, a "2X4" is a board which actually measures 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.  "Hem-fir" is a species label which refers to Western hemlock and true fir, species which have similar characteristics.  "True fir" includes grand fir, noble fir, pacific silver fir, and others.  Douglas fir, which is not technically a fir at all, is not included and is separately labelled.

SUMMARY:

Three state policies are adopted to promote increased economic activity and greater employment in the wood products industry.

1.  Paper bags.  After January 1, 1991, grocery stores are prohibited from providing plastic bags at the check-out stand. However, small plastic bags used to bag individual items such as meats or frozen products are permitted.

The Department of Ecology may seize and destroy or sell plastic bags used unlawfully.

2.  Wood in state buildings.  In the construction, alteration, or improvement of state facilities, all state agencies must use wood and wood products to the maximum extent permitted by the building code, unless the agency justifies in writing the use of a material other than wood and wood products.

3.  Consumer education.  Retail stores selling lumber must display a poster developed by the Attorney General educating consumers about terms such as "2X4" and "hem-fir."  The Attorney General may charge a fee to defray the costs of the poster.

The Attorney General may bring an administrative action against a store violating the requirement to recover damages suffered by consumers, and costs and attorney's fees.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 20, 1990.

Effective Date:The bill takes effect January 1, 1991.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.