5898 AMH AG AMH-19
SB 5898 - H COMM AMD
By Committee on Agriculture & Ecology
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 4/12/95
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 70.94.656 and 1991 sp.s. c 13 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:
It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that strong efforts should be made to minimize adverse effects on air quality from the open burning of field and turf grasses grown for seed. To such end this section is intended to promote the development of economical and practical alternate agricultural practices to such burning, and to provide for interim regulation of such burning until practical alternates are found.
(1) The department shall approve of a study or studies for the exploration and identification of economical and practical alternate agricultural practices to the open burning of field and turf grasses grown for seed. Any study conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted by Washington State University. The university may not charge more than eight percent for administrative overhead. Prior to the issuance of any permit for such burning under RCW 70.94.650, there shall be collected a fee not to exceed one dollar per acre of crop to be burned. Any such fees received by any authority shall be transferred to the department of ecology. The department of ecology shall deposit all such acreage fees in a special grass seed burning research account, hereby created, in the state treasury.
(2)
The department shall allocate moneys annually from this account for the support
of any approved study or studies as provided for in ((this)) subsection (1)
of this section. ((For the conduct of any such study or studies, the
department may contract with public or private entities: PROVIDED, That)) Whenever
the department of ecology shall conclude that sufficient reasonably available
alternates to open burning have been developed, and at such time as all costs
of any studies have been paid, the grass seed burning research account shall be
dissolved, and any money remaining therein shall revert to the general fund.
The fee collected under ((this)) subsection (1) of this section
shall constitute the research portion of fees required under RCW 70.94.650 for
open burning of grass grown for seed.
(((2)))
(3) Whenever on the basis of information available to it, the department
after public hearings have been conducted wherein testimony will be received
and considered from interested parties wishing to testify shall conclude that
any procedure, program, technique, or device constitutes a practical alternate
agricultural practice to the open burning of field or turf grasses grown for seed,
the department shall, by order, certify approval of such alternate.
Thereafter, in any case which any such approved alternate is reasonably
available, the open burning of field and turf grasses grown for seed shall be
disallowed and no permit shall issue therefor.
(((3)))
(4) Until approved alternates become available, the department or the
authority may limit the number of acres on a pro rata basis among those
affected for which permits to burn will be issued in order to effectively
control emissions from this source.
(((4)))
(5) Permits issued for burning of field and turf grasses may be
conditioned to minimize emissions insofar as practical, including denial of
permission to burn during periods of adverse meteorological conditions.
(6) By November 1, 1996, and every two years thereafter until grass seed burning is prohibited, Washington State University shall submit to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature a brief report assessing the potential of the university's research to result in economical and practical alternatives to grass seed burning.
Sec. 2. RCW 70.94.120 and 1969 ex.s. c 168 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The city selection committee of each county which is included within an authority shall meet within one month after the activation of such authority for the purpose of making its initial appointments to the board of such authority and thereafter whenever necessary for the purpose of making succeeding appointments. All meetings shall be held upon at least two weeks written notice given by the county auditor to each member of the city selection committee of each county and he shall give such notice upon request of any member of such committee. A similar notice shall be given to the general public by a publication of such notice in a newspaper of general circulation in such authority. The county auditor shall act as recording officer, maintain its records and give appropriate notice of its proceedings and actions.
(2) As an alternative to meeting in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the county auditor may mail ballots by certified mail to the members of the city selection committee, specifying a date by which to complete the ballot, and a date by which to return the completed ballot. Each mayor who chooses to participate in the balloting shall write in the choice for appointment, sign the ballot, and return the ballot to the county auditor. Each completed ballot shall be date-stamped upon receipt by the mayor or staff of the mayor of the city or town. The timely return of completed ballots by a majority of the members of each city selection committee constitutes a quorum and the common choice by a majority of the quorum constitutes a valid appointment.
(3) Balloting shall be preceded by at least two weeks' written notice, given by the county auditor to each member of the city selection committee. A similar notice shall be given to the general public by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the authority.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately."
SB 5898 - H COMM AMD
By Committee on Agriculture & Ecology
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 4/12/95
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "seed;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 70.94.656 and 70.94.120; and declaring an emergency."
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