FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2733

                          C 12 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Extending for four years the authority to delegate portions of well drilling administration and enforcement to local governments.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Johnson, Sheldon, Koster, Honeyford, Linville, Boldt, McMahan, Hymes, Stevens, Cooke, Mulliken, McMorris, Hargrove and Elliot).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks

Background:  In 1992, legislation was enacted to permit certain qualified local agencies to administer portions of the state's water well construction laws.  Upon request, the Department of Ecology (DOE) is authorized to delegate to the governing body of a health district or county the power to administer and enforce the well sealing and decommissioning portions of the water well construction program.  Well tagging was expressly added to these delegable authorities in 1993.

This express authority to delegate is scheduled to expire June 30, 1996.  

Summary:  The expiration of the express authority granted to the DOE to delegate portions of the well construction program to qualified health districts and counties is postponed to June 30, 2000.  With regard to such a program administered by a local agency, the agency may exercise only the authority delegated to it under these well construction laws.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

Senate    46 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996