HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1743

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Environmental Affairs

Title:  An act relating to pollution prevention.

Brief Description:  Providing for pollution prevention plans.

Sponsors:  Representatives Flemming, Horn, Rust, Linville, Valle and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, February 24, 1993, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; and Sheahan.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

Staff:  Harry Reinert (786-7110).

Background:  The Department of Ecology issues permits, conducts inspections, approves plans, and exercises other regulatory control over activities in this state that have an impact on the environment.  Many of the department's activities are governed by statutes that do not recognize the existence of other requirements.  The department's organizational structure is largely based on the statutory duties it has been given.  There are concerns in the business community that this division of responsibility results in inconsistent directives to business and in the environmental community that the environment is adversely affected by inconsistent regulation. 

The state of New Jersey has established a pilot program to provide a single facility-wide permit covering all of the environmental programs managed by that state's environmental agency.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Ecology shall develop a pilot program to coordinate all the department's actions affecting a facility.  By January 1, 1994, the department shall designate an industry type and up to 10 facilities to participate in the program.  The selection of the industry and facilities shall be based on criteria relating to their potential to serve as a model for pollution prevention and multimedia environmental programs.  Participation in the program shall be voluntary.  The program shall also examine the feasibility of developing facility-wide permits covering all the permits issued by the department.  The department shall seek the cooperation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The department shall submit to the governor and the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature by January 1, 1996 a report evaluating both the pilot program and the feasibility of establishing facility-wide multimedia permits.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill directed the department to establish a facility-wide permit pilot program and issue up to 10 facility-wide permits by January 1, 1996.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Better coordination of environmental programs administered by the Department of Ecology will mean greater efficiencies for business, cost savings for the agency, and better environmental protection.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Stan Flemming.