FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5305

C 243 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Reviewing the state's need for construction aggregates.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Land Use & Planning (originally sponsored by Senators Mulliken, T. Sheldon, Sheahan, Reardon and Esser).

Senate Committee on Land Use & Planning

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: Aggregate rock is a non-renewable mineral resource, composed of materials such as sand and gravel, which is used for mixing with cementing material to form concrete, mortar or plaster. Aggregate that is of sufficient commercial quality to meet construction standards is not located in all regions of the state. The cost to transport aggregate to construction sites can be substantial. In addition, the processing and permitting costs associated with constructing a long-term production facility may be as substantial as the transportation costs. As a result, projects may not be completed in a timely and economical fashion with the quality of aggregates necessary for long-term durability.

Summary: A nine-person committee is established for the purpose of determining whether there is sufficient construction aggregates within Washington State to meet the requirements of 20-year comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and to meet the state's transportation needs under the GMA.

The committee determines whether environmental permit review procedures are efficient in balancing the need for timely processing of applications, while at the same time ensuring that adequate environmental protections exist.

The committee determines in general how the aggregate industry should be regulated and submits a final report as to all of the committee's findings to the Legislature by no later than December 15, 2003.

Technical and staff support is provided to the committee by the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and the Department of Transportation.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       44  0

House       95  0    (House amended)

Senate       41  1    (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 27, 2003