SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1568

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper, D. Sommers, Ebersole, Sprenkle, May, Pruitt and Ferguson)

Revising requirements regarding procurement and solid waste disposal.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 22, 1989; March 29, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bauer, Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  March 29, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Local governments are authorized to provide for a range of solid waste handling services under state law.  These services include solid waste collection, recycling, transfer station operation, landfilling and resource recovery.  The statutory authorizations were enacted over a period of several years, and some local governments have encountered technical problems with such statutes.

The Seattle Chamber of Commerce's Solid Waste Task Force has worked to develop legislation to provide local governments greater flexibility to procure solid waste facilities and services.  The Chamber's Solid Waste Task Force consists of representatives from cities, counties, recyclers, waste haulers, attorneys, and disposal service vendors.

SUMMARY:

Cities and towns are authorized to provide for a full range of solid waste handling services, modifying existing law which references "garbage collection and disposal."  "Sites" and "facilities" are expressly included in the description of solid waste services which may be procured by cities and towns.  A solid waste contract for a minimum fee or other method of compensation does not require a "put or pay" provision.  Cities and towns are expressly authorized to lease solid waste handling facilities. A prohibition upon the condemnation of solid waste processing and conversion plants is eliminated.

The requirement that recovered resources must be sold through competitive bidding is eliminated.  Existing authority of cities and towns to enter agreements for all aspects of solid waste handling services is consolidated.  The solid waste facility procurement process under Chapters 35.21 and 35.92 RCW is an alternative to the public works competitive bidding requirements applicable to cities under Chapters 35.22 and 35.23 RCW. 

Cities and towns may contract with either public or private vendors.  Qualifications of vendors may be considered prior to making a final decision to proceed with construction.

Comparable clarification and changes to county authorities regarding solid waste handling services procurement are made.  The prohibition upon collection of solid waste by counties is unaffected.

Language is repealed which is duplicative following consolidation of procurement authorities.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

All solid waste handling facilities must comply with the local comprehensive solid waste management plan.  Alternative vendor selection is not meant to be used in place of traditional public works bidding for solid waste storage or transfer facilities unless it is privately operated or an integral part of a processing facility located on the same site.  Existing law is retained regarding applicability of prevailing wage requirements for local government solid waste handling facilities.

Senate Committee - Testified: Michele Brothers; Ray Hoffman, Washington Citizens for Recycling; Kathleen Collins, Association of Cities (pro); Nyle Barnes (pro); Nancy Pearson, League of Women Voters; Duke Schaub, Associated General Contractors