ANALYSIS OF ESSB 5433

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                                        April 2, 1999

Adds a requirement to the contents of county and city solid waste management plans.

Background:

Current law requires counties, in cooperation with cities within the county, to prepare a coordinated, comprehensive solid waste management plan.  Biomedical waste is regulated as solid waste by the Department of Ecology and local health departments.

In order to reduce potential liability, many generators of infectious biomedical waste choose to contract for the treatment or disinfection of waste prior to disposal.

Summary of Bill: 

The contents of each county and city solid waste management plan are expanded to include a program for the safe handling, transport, and disposal of biomedical waste.  Biomedical waste may be segregated from other solid waste.  Counties and cities must address biomedical waste in the next scheduled update or revision of their solid waste management plan.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 15, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.