HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 2SSB 5288

                       As Passed House

                       April 15, 1993

Title:  An act relating to the solid waste collection tax.

Brief Description:  Extending the expiration date of the solid waste collection tax.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Talmadge and Haugen; by request of Department of Ecology).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, March 25, 1993, DP;

Revenue, April 5, 1993, DP;

Passed House, April 15, 1993, 74-22.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; and Roland.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Edmondson; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives G. Fisher, Chair; Holm, Vice Chair; Foreman, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Brown; Cothern; Leonard; Morris; Romero; Rust; Thibaudeau; and Wang.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Silver; Talcott; and Van Luven.

Staff:  Keitlyn Watson (786-7310).

Background:  A 1 percent tax on solid waste collection was created by the Legislature in 1989 as a part of the "Waste Not Washington Act."  This act established a statewide recycling goal of 50 percent by 1995, and required local governments to plan for waste reduction and recycling, provide curbside recycling programs in urban areas, and provide a system of drop-boxes and buy back centers in rural areas.

The tax generates about $5 million per year and is subject to legislative appropriation.  Funds from the tax are used to review local government solid waste plans, provide technical assistance to implement recycling programs, conduct studies, and issue grants to implement local waste reduction and recycling programs.

The tax is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 1993.  The Joint Select Committee on Preferred Solid Waste Management was charged, as one of its duties, to review the need for extending the tax.  The select committee was terminated on June 30, 1991, and did not review the tax.

Summary of Bill:  The expiration date for the solid waste collection tax is extended from July 1, 1993, until July 1, 1995.

The uses of the revenues from the solid waste collection tax are specified.  The funds may be used to review and approve solid waste management plans, to provide technical assistance to local governments, conduct research, and to evaluate state and local solid waste programs.  The funds may also be used for grants to local governments for the following activities:  waste reduction and recycling programs, market development, procurement, and used oil recycling.  Funds in the account may also be used for the costs of administering and collecting the 1 percent tax.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  (Environmental Affairs): Washington State leads all states with a 34 percent recycling rate.  The 1 percent tax is necessary to continue making progress toward the 50 percent recycling goal.  Ecology's proposal to emphasis technical assistance and grants to local governments and to de-emphasize plan review will help local governments reach the 50 percent goal.

(Revenue): None.

Testimony Against:  (Environmental Affairs): None.

(Revenue): None.

Witnesses:  (Environmental Affairs): Jim Pendowski, Department of Ecology (pro); and Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities (pro).

(Revenue): None.