S-1832               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5927

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Benitz and Stratton

Read first time 2/16/89 and referred to Committee on  Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to low-level radioactive waste; amending RCW 43.145.020; adding a new section to chapter 43.145 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that certain medical treatment facilities, the emerging biomedical research industry, other high-tech industrial firms and many university research facilities in this state could not exist without the ability to dispose of low-level radioactive waste.  The legislature further finds that if the volume of waste declines at rates projected due to the possible exclusion of low-level radioactive waste from outside the Northwest compact region after 1992, that the economic viability of the site may be jeopardized, which would in turn severely harm the health care system, emerging industries and front-line research throughout the state.  The legislature also finds that having the low-level waste site operated by a private firm is clearly preferable to site operation by the state and that the economic viability of the site should be considered when determining whether waste from outside the region should be accepted for disposal.

        Sec. 2.  Section 2, chapter 124, Laws of 1981 and RCW 43.145.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          The person designated as the Washington representative to the committee as specified in Article V shall adhere to all provisions of the low-level radioactive waste compact.  In considering special conditions or arrangements for access to the state's facilities from wastes generated outside of the region, the committee member shall ensure at a minimum, that the provisions of Article IV, Section 3 are complied with.  The Washington representative shall approve access of such wastes to the state's facility only if there is no other feasible alternative available or if the economic viability of the facility depends on disposal of wastes generated outside the compact region.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.145 RCW to read as follows:

          No costs shall be paid for or reimbursed by the state of Washington for the participation of other member states in the Northwest low-level waste compact for meetings of the compact held outside the state of Washington.