BILL REQ. #:  H-1538.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/13/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to mercury reduction and education; adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Automotive mercury switch" includes a convenience switch, such as a switch for a trunk or hood light, and a mercury switch in antilock brake systems.
     (2) "Department" means the department of ecology.
     (3) "Director" means the director of the department of ecology.
     (4) "Health care facility" includes a hospital, nursing home, extended care facility, long-term care facility, clinical or medical laboratory, state or private health or mental institution, clinic, or health maintenance organization.
     (5) "Manufacturer" includes any person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, governmental entity, organization, or joint venture that produces a mercury-added product or an importer or domestic distributor of a mercury-added product produced in a foreign country. In the case of a multicomponent product containing mercury, the manufacturer is the last manufacturer to produce or assemble the product. If the multicomponent product or mercury-added product is produced in a foreign country, the manufacturer is the first importer or domestic distributor.
     (6) "Mercury-added button-cell battery" means a button-cell battery to which the manufacturer intentionally introduces mercury for the operation of the battery.
     (7) "Mercury-added novelty" means a mercury-added product intended mainly for personal or household enjoyment or adornment. Mercury-added novelties include, but are not limited to, items intended for use as practical jokes, figurines, adornments, toys, games, cards, ornaments, yard statues and figures, candles, jewelry, holiday decorations, items of apparel, and other similar products. Mercury-added novelty does not include educational games, toys, or products that require a button-cell or lithium battery, liquid crystal display screens, or a lamp that contains mercury.
     (8) "Mercury-added product" means a product, commodity, or chemical, or a product with a component that contains mercury or a mercury compound intentionally added to the product, commodity, or chemical in order to provide a specific characteristic, appearance, or quality, or to perform a specific function, or for any other reason. Mercury-added products include, but are not limited to, mercury thermometers, mercury thermostats, and mercury switches in motor vehicles.
     (9) "Mercury manometer" means a mercury-added product that is used for measuring blood pressure.
     (10) "Mercury thermometer" means a mercury-added product that is used for measuring temperature.
     (11) "Retailer" means a retailer of a mercury-added product.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) Effective January 1, 2004, a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer may not knowingly sell at retail a fluorescent lamp if the fluorescent lamp contains mercury and was manufactured after November 30, 2003, unless the fluorescent lamp is labeled in accordance with the guidelines listed under subsection (2) of this section. Primary responsibility for affixing labels required under this section is on the manufacturer, and not on the wholesaler or retailer.
     (2) A lamp is considered labeled pursuant to subsection (1) of this section if the lamp has all of the following:
     (a) A label affixed to the lamp that displays the internationally recognized symbol for the element mercury; and
     (b) A label on the lamp's packaging that: (i) Clearly informs the purchaser that mercury is present in the item; (ii) explains that the fluorescent lamp should be disposed of according to applicable federal, state, and local laws; and (iii) provides a toll-free telephone number, and a uniform resource locator internet address to a web site, that contains information on applicable disposal laws.
     (3) A manufacturer of lamps required to be labeled under subsection (1) of this section shall fund a public education campaign in the state to educate consumers on the meaning of the label, how to properly dispose of the lamp, and about the implications for mercury emissions from using both fluorescent and incandescent lighting products.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) Effective January 1, 2004, no person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a mercury-added novelty. A manufacturer of mercury-added novelties must notify all retailers that sell the product about the provisions of this section and how to properly dispose of any remaining mercury-added novelty inventory.
     (2)(a) Effective January 1, 2005, no person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a manometer that contains mercury to any health care facility in this state or a thermometer that contains mercury. This subsection (2)(a) does not apply to:
     (i) An electronic thermometer with a button cell battery containing mercury;
     (ii) A thermometer that contains mercury and that is used for food research and development or food processing, including meat, dairy products, and pet food processing;
     (iii) A thermometer that contains mercury and that is a component of an animal agriculture climate control system or industrial measurement system or for veterinary medicine until such a time as the system is replaced or a nonmercury component for the system or application is available; or
     (iv) A thermometer or manometer that contains mercury that is used for calibration of other thermometers, manometers, apparatus, or equipment, unless a nonmercury calibration standard is approved for the application by the
national institute of standards and technology.
     (b) A manufacturer of thermometers that contain mercury must notify all retailers that sell the product about the provisions of this section and how to properly dispose of any remaining thermometer inventory.
     (3) Effective January 1, 2006, no person may sell, install, or reinstall a commercial or residential thermostat that contains mercury. A manufacturer of commercial or residential thermostats that contain mercury must notify all retailers that sell the product about the provisions of this section and how to properly dispose of any remaining commercial or residential thermostat inventory.
     (4) No person may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale or use in this state a motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 2006, if the motor vehicle contains an automotive mercury switch.
     (5) Nothing in this section restricts the ability of a manufacturer, importer, or domestic distributor from transporting products through the state, or storing products in the state for later distribution outside the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The department of general administration must, by January 1, 2004, revise its rules, policies, and guidelines to implement the purpose of this chapter.
     (2) The department of general administration must give priority and preference to the purchase of equipment, supplies, and other products that contain no mercury-added compounds or components, unless: (a) There is no economically feasible nonmercury-added alternative that performs a similar function; or (b) the product containing mercury is designed to reduce electricity consumption by at least forty percent and there is no nonmercury or lower mercury alternative available that saves the same or a greater amount of electricity as the exempted product. In circumstances where a nonmercury-added product is not available, preference must be given to the purchase of products that contain the least amount of mercury added to the product necessary for the required performance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The department is authorized to participate in a regional or multistate clearinghouse to assist in carrying out any of the requirements of this chapter. A clearinghouse may also be used for examining notification and label requirements, developing education and outreach activities, and maintaining a list of all mercury-added products.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A violation of this chapter is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation in the case of a first violation. Repeat violators are liable for a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars for each repeat violation. Penalties collected under this section must be deposited in the state toxics control account created in RCW 70.105D.070.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Nothing in this chapter applies to crematories as that term is defined in RCW 68.04.070.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   Sections 1 through 7 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.