Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Environment & Energy Committee
HB 1779
Brief Description: Reducing toxic air pollution that threatens human health.
Sponsors: Representatives Mosbrucker, Dye and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes an interagency carbon monoxide workgroup to produce a report on current and recommended state activities to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and to make recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2024.
Hearing Date: 2/13/23
Staff: Jacob Lipson (786-7196).
Background:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, nearly odorless gas that results from the incomplete oxidation of carbon during combustion.  CO can originate from a variety of sources, including heaters, stoves, fireplaces, generators, and automobile exhaust.  

 

CO is regulated as one of the six criteria air pollutants for which the United States Environmental Protection Agency establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air pollution.  At the state level, carbon monoxide alarms are required under State Building Code Council rules in most residential occupancies, and carbon monoxide warning stickers must be affixed to certain motor-driven vessels.  The presence of carbon monoxide alarms are one of the items that must be addressed on residential and commercial real estate seller disclosure forms. 

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) must convene an interagency carbon monoxide (CO) workgroup that includes representatives of the Department of Health, the Director of the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of the Attorney General.  The workgroup must nominate a chair, who may nominate up to two additional participants.  The purpose of the workgroup is to produce a report on current and future state activities to prevent CO poisoning, including motor vehicle leaks, increase awareness of CO among at-risk populations, collect data on CO incidents, and identify funding sources for public awareness campaigns.  The workgroup must submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2024, containing recommendations on actions to reduce CO poisoning in Washington. 

 

An intent section is included, and the Act may be known and cited as "Mary's Law". 

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.