SB 5655-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Finds that: (1) The regulatory reform act of 1995 prohibits agency rules from differing from existing federal standards unless a state statute explicitly allows such a difference or substantial evidence shows that different state rules are necessary;

(2) In spite of these provisions, natural resource agencies, including the departments of ecology and fish and wildlife, continue to develop and adopt state rules, guidelines, permit conditions, and policies that substantially differ from those that have already been adopted by federal agencies;

(3) Differing from existing federal requirements or policies increases costs to state agencies and local governments, results in burdensome and conflicting regulatory programs, and prevents Washington state from being economically competitive in the national and global economy;

(4) Natural resource agencies should give priority to assisting and educating regulated entities and local governments in understanding and complying with existing federal requirements or policies, rather than creating different state standards; and

(5) The state must maintain the independence and flexibility to differ from or exceed federal standards when necessary.

Declares an intent to ensure that state natural resource agencies do not exceed existing federal requirements and policies when implementing programs for which federal requirements or policies exist, unless specifically directed by the legislature to do so.