House Bill Analysis

HB 2670

HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND ECOLOGY COMMITTEE                 January 28, 2000

BACKGROUND:

State law requires the holder or an applicant of a permit for a landfill disposal facility to establish a reserve account to cover the costs of closing the facility in accordance with state and federal law.   Post-closure care of a landfill is generally required for a period of thirty years, but this length of time may be increased or decreased by the jurisdictional health department under certain conditions.  The reserve account must be designed to ensure that there will be adequate revenue available by the projected date of closure. 

A landfill disposal facility maintained on private property for the sole use of the entity owning the site, however, is not required to establish a reserve account if the entity provides another form of financial assurance to the satisfaction of the Department of Ecology that is adequate to comply with the closure requirements. 

SUMMARY:

A landfill disposal facility maintained by a local government is not required to establish a reserve account to cover the costs of closing a facility if, to the satisfaction of the Department of Ecology, the local government provides another form of financial assurance adequate to comply with the closure requirements.

Appropriation:None

Fiscal Note:Requested

Effective Date:Ninety days after the adjournment of regular session