SENATE BILL REPORT

                           2SSB 5288

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1993

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)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5288 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Moore, Sutherland, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Shannon Murphy (786‑7483)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1993; February 24, 1993

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5288 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Spanel, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Gaspard, Hargrove, Jesernig, Owen, Pelz, Quigley, Snyder, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Denise Graham (786-7715)

Hearing Dates: March 4, 1993; March 5, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1989, in response to the shortage of landfill space and the growing need for solid waste management the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act was established.  The plan set solid waste management priorities including recycling and processing mixed waste.  A statewide goal of 50 percent was set for recycling.

The Solid Waste Management Act established an additional solid waste collection tax.  The solid waste collection tax assessed is 1 percent of the fee charged for solid waste collection and disposal.  The tax is imposed on each person using the services of a solid waste collection or disposal business.  The solid waste collection tax expires on July 1, 1993.

SUMMARY:

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 for grants to local governments to develop and implement waste reduction and recycling programs, enhance markets for recycled content products, and for the disposal of contaminated household used oil.  The account may also fund Department of Ecology programs to provide technical assistance to local governments in developing and implementing local solid waste management programs, and to conduct research and studies regarding solid waste management activities.

It is clarified that revenues from the solid waste collection tax are expanded to include the administration and collection of the tax.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1993.

TESTIMONY FOR (Ecology (Parks):

By extending the solid waste collection tax, the legislative goals established in the "Waste Not Washington" Act which include a statewide recycling rate of 50 percent by 1995 and the adoption and approval of local government comprehensive solid waste plans by 1994, will be linked to the funding received by local governments from the solid waste management account.

By extending the date of the solid waste collection tax, the Legislature will be able to review the success of the entire "Waste Not Washington" Act at one time.

The Department of Ecology has agreed to reduce staff funded through the solid waste management account by 20 percent.  This will allow a greater portion of the tax collected to go to local government grants to carry out local comprehensive solid waste plans.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Ecology & Parks):  None

TESTIFIED (Ecology & Parks):  Tom Eaton, Dept. of Ecology (pro): Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club (pro); Bill Vogler, Washington State Assn. of Counties (pro); Elizabeth Schrag, Washington Citizens for Recycling (pro); Commissioner Bud Pardini, Utilities & Transportation Commission

TESTIMONY FOR (Ways & Means):

The Department of Ecology worked with cities and counties on how the revenues from the solid waste collection tax should be used.  Everyone agreed that DOE staff funded by this tax would be reduced by 20 percent and that funding for grants to local governments would be increased.  This bill is in the "must do" category.

TESTIMONY AGAINST (Ways & Means):  None

TESTIFIED (Ways & Means):  Senator Karen Fraser (pro); Tom Eaton, Department of Ecology (pro); Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities (pro)