Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
Sec. 1. "RCW
70A.205.015 and 2022 c 180 s 105 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "City" means every incorporated city and town.
(2) "Commission" means the utilities and transportation commission.
(3) "Composted material" means organic solid waste that has been subjected to controlled aerobic degradation at a solid waste facility in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Natural decay of organic solid waste under uncontrolled conditions does not result in composted material.
(4) "Department" means the department of ecology.
(5) "Director" means the director of the department of ecology.
(6) "Disposal site" means the location where any final treatment, utilization, processing, or deposit of solid waste occurs.
(7) "Energy recovery" means a process operating under federal and state environmental laws and regulations for converting solid waste into usable energy and for reducing the volume of solid waste.
(8) "Functional standards" means criteria for solid waste handling expressed in terms of expected performance or solid waste handling functions.
(9) "Incineration" means a process of reducing the volume of solid waste operating under federal and state environmental laws and regulations by use of an enclosed device using controlled flame combustion.
(10) "Inert waste landfill" means a landfill that receives only inert waste, as determined under RCW
70A.205.030, and includes facilities that use inert wastes as a component of fill.
(11) "Jurisdictional health department" means city, county, city-county, or district public health department.
(12) "Landfill" means a disposal facility or part of a facility at which solid waste is placed in or on land and which is not a land treatment facility.
(13) "Limited purpose landfill" has the same meaning as provided in WAC 173-350-100 as it existed as of January 1, 2025.
(14) "Local government" means a city, town, or county.
(((14)))(15) "Modify" means to substantially change the design or operational plans including, but not limited to, removal of a design element previously set forth in a permit application or the addition of a disposal or processing activity that is not approved in the permit.
(((15)))(16) "Multiple-family residence" means any structure housing two or more dwelling units.
(((16)))(17)(a)(i) "Organic materials" means any solid waste that is a biological substance of plant or animal origin capable of microbial degradation.
(ii) Organic materials include, but are not limited to, manure, yard debris, food waste, food processing waste, wood waste, and garden waste.
(b) "Organic materials" does not include any materials contaminated by herbicides, pesticides, pests, or other sources of chemical or biological contamination that would render a finished product of an organic material management process unsuitable for general public or agricultural use.
(((17)))(18) "Organic materials management" means management of organic materials through composting, anaerobic digestion, vermiculture, black soldier fly, or similar technologies.
(((18)))(19) "Person" means individual, firm, association, copartnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever.
((
(19)))
(20) "Recyclable materials" means those solid wastes that are separated for recycling or reuse, such as papers, metals, and glass, that are identified as recyclable material pursuant to a local comprehensive solid waste plan. Prior to the adoption of the local comprehensive solid waste plan, adopted pursuant to RCW
70A.205.075(2), local governments may identify recyclable materials by ordinance from July 23, 1989.
(((20)))(21) "Recycling" means transforming or remanufacturing waste materials into usable or marketable materials for use other than landfill disposal or incineration.
(((21)))(22) "Residence" means the regular dwelling place of an individual or individuals.
((
(22)))
(23) "Sewage sludge" means a semisolid substance consisting of settled sewage solids combined with varying amounts of water and dissolved materials, generated from a wastewater treatment system, that does not meet the requirements of chapter
70A.226 RCW.
((
(23)))
(24) "Soil amendment" means any substance that is intended to improve the physical characteristics of the soil, except composted material, commercial fertilizers, agricultural liming agents, unmanipulated animal manures, unmanipulated vegetable manures, food wastes, food processing wastes, and materials exempted by rule of the department, such as biosolids as defined in chapter
70A.226 RCW and wastewater as regulated in chapter
90.48 RCW.
(((24)))(25) "Solid waste" or "wastes" means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid and semisolid wastes including, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, swill, sewage sludge, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles or parts thereof, and recyclable materials.
(((25)))(26) "Solid waste handling" means the management, storage, collection, transportation, treatment, utilization, processing, and final disposal of solid wastes, including the recovery and recycling of materials from solid wastes, the recovery of energy resources from solid wastes or the conversion of the energy in solid wastes to more useful forms or combinations thereof.
(((26)))(27) "Source separation" means the separation of different kinds of solid waste at the place where the waste originates.
(((27)))(28) "Vehicle" includes every device physically capable of being moved upon a public or private highway, road, street, or watercourse and in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public or private highway, road, street, or watercourse, except devices moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
((
(28)))
(29) "Waste-derived soil amendment" means any soil amendment as defined in this chapter that is derived from solid waste as defined in this section, but does not include biosolids or biosolids products regulated under chapter
70A.226 RCW or wastewaters regulated under chapter
90.48 RCW.
(((29)))(30) "Waste reduction" means reducing the amount or toxicity of waste generated or reusing materials.
(((30)))(31) "Yard debris" means plant material commonly created in the course of maintaining yards and gardens, and through horticulture, gardening, landscaping, or similar activities. Yard debris includes but is not limited to grass clippings, leaves, branches, brush, weeds, flowers, roots, windfall fruit, vegetable garden debris, holiday trees, and tree prunings four inches or less in diameter.
Sec. 2. RCW
70A.205.125 and 2016 c 119 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Applications for permits to operate a new or modified solid waste handling facility shall be on forms prescribed by the department and shall contain a description of the proposed facilities and operations at the site, plans and specifications for any new or additional facilities to be constructed, and such other information as the jurisdictional health department may deem necessary in order to determine whether the site and solid waste disposal facilities located thereon will comply with local regulations and state rules.
(2) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to establish or modify a solid waste handling facility, the jurisdictional health department shall refer one copy of the application to the department which shall report its findings to the jurisdictional health department. When the application is for a permit to establish or modify a solid waste handling facility located in an area that is not under a quarantine, as defined in RCW
17.24.007, and when the facility will receive material for composting from an area under a quarantine, the jurisdictional health department shall also provide a copy of the application to the department of agriculture. The department of agriculture shall review the application to determine whether it contains information demonstrating that the proposed facility presents a risk of spreading disease, plant pathogens, or pests to areas that are not under a quarantine. For the purposes of this subsection, "composting" means the biological degradation and transformation of organic solid waste under controlled conditions designed to promote aerobic decomposition.
(3) The jurisdictional health department shall investigate every application as may be necessary to determine whether a proposed or modified site and facilities meet all solid waste, air, and other applicable laws and regulations, and conforms with the approved comprehensive solid waste handling plan, and complies with all zoning requirements.
(4) When the jurisdictional health department finds that the permit should be issued, ((
it))
and the department has approved the permit under RCW 70A.205.130(4), the jurisdictional health department shall issue such permit. Every application shall be approved or disapproved within ((
ninety))
90 days after its receipt by the jurisdictional health department.
(5) The jurisdictional board of health may establish reasonable fees for permits and renewal of permits. All permit fees collected by the health department shall be deposited in the treasury and to the account from which the health department's operating expenses are paid.
Sec. 3. RCW
70A.205.130 and 2020 c 20 s 1173 are each amended to read as follows:
((
Every))
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, every permit issued by a jurisdictional health department under RCW
70A.205.125 shall be reviewed by the department to ensure that the proposed site or facility conforms with:
(((1)))(a) All applicable laws and regulations including the ((minimal))minimum functional standards for solid waste handling; and
(((2)))(b) The approved comprehensive solid waste management plan.
(2) The department shall review the permit within ((
thirty))
30 days after the issuance of the permit by the jurisdictional health department. ((
The))
For solid waste handling facilities other than limited purpose landfills, the department may appeal the issuance of the permit by the jurisdictional health department to the pollution control hearings board, as described in chapter
43.21B RCW, for noncompliance with subsection (1) ((
or (2)))
(a) or (b) of this section.
(3) No permit issued pursuant to RCW
70A.205.125 after June 7, 1984, shall be considered valid unless it has been reviewed by the department.
(4)(a) Every permit issued by a jurisdictional health department under RCW 70A.205.125 for a limited purpose landfill must be reviewed and approved by the department to ensure that the proposed landfill conforms with: (i) All applicable laws and regulations including the minimum functional standards for solid waste handling; and
(ii) The approved comprehensive solid waste management plan.
(b) The department shall review the permit prior to the issuance of the permit by the jurisdictional health department. The department may only approve a permit that ensures that the limited purpose landfill conforms with all applicable laws and regulations, including the minimum functional standards for solid waste handling. The department may require a jurisdictional health department to amend the contents of a proposed permit to ensure conformance with applicable laws and regulations, including the minimum functional standards for solid waste handling.
(c) A jurisdictional health department or applicant may appeal the department's denial or amendment of a limited purpose landfill permit under this section, including the denial of the renewal of a permit, to the pollution control hearings board.
(d) No permit issued under this subsection after August 1, 2027, is considered valid unless it has been approved by the department.
Sec. 4. RCW
70A.205.135 and 2020 c 20 s 1174 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Every permit for an existing solid waste handling facility issued pursuant to RCW
70A.205.125 shall be renewed at least every five years on a date established by the jurisdictional health department having jurisdiction of the site and as specified in the permit. If a permit is to be renewed for longer than one year, the local jurisdictional health department may hold a public hearing before making such a decision. Prior to renewing a permit, the health department shall conduct a review as it deems necessary to assure that the solid waste handling facility or facilities located on the site continues to meet minimum functional standards of the department, applicable local regulations, and are not in conflict with the approved solid waste management plan. A jurisdictional health department shall approve or disapprove a permit renewal within ((
forty-five))
45 days of conducting its review. The department shall review and may appeal the renewal
of permits for solid waste handling facilities other than limited purpose landfills as set forth for the approval of permits in RCW
70A.205.130(2). The department must review and approve or disapprove renewal of permits for limited purpose landfills as set forth in RCW 70A.205.130(4).
(2) The jurisdictional board of health may establish reasonable fees for permits reviewed under this section. All permit fees collected by the health department shall be deposited in the treasury and to the account from which the health department's operating expenses are paid.
Sec. 5. RCW
70A.205.140 and 2016 c 119 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Any permit for a solid waste disposal site issued as provided herein shall be subject to suspension at any time the jurisdictional health department determines that the site or the solid waste disposal facilities located on the site are being operated in violation of this chapter, the regulations of the department, the rules of the department of agriculture, or local laws and regulations.
(2) Any permit for a limited purpose landfill issued as provided herein shall be subject to suspension at any time the department determines that the site or the limited purpose landfill located on the site are being operated in violation of this chapter, the regulations of the department, the rules of the department of agriculture, or local laws and regulations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter
70A.205 RCW to read as follows:
(1) In addition to the provisions of RCW
70A.205.140, a jurisdictional health department or the department may:
(a) Impose a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 per day for the first 14 days of operation. If the violation is not resolved within 14 days, the agency imposing the penalty may increase the penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of operation of a limited purpose landfill in violation of the requirements of this chapter or a permit issued under this chapter; and
(b) Issue an order requiring compliance by a limited purpose landfill in violation of the requirements of this chapter or a permit issued under this chapter. A person who fails to take corrective action as specified in a compliance order is liable for a civil penalty as provided in (a) of this subsection. Before issuing a civil penalty, a jurisdictional health department will attempt to reach compliance with the landfill operator through education and outreach.
(2)(a) A jurisdictional health department may send written notice to the department that it is deferring to the department's authority under this section to enforce the requirements of this chapter with respect to a limited purpose landfill in a jurisdiction.
(b) The department may exercise the department's authority under this section to take enforcement action in the absence of a deferral by the jurisdictional health department if, in the department's judgment, the jurisdictional health department's enforcement response fails to adequately address violations of this chapter by a limited purpose landfill operator. When the department begins enforcement activities, the department must notify the jurisdictional health department with a letter of intent that includes:
(i) The start and any end date of the department's enforcement activities; and
(ii) The geographical boundaries of limited purpose landfills at which the enforcement activities are planned.
(c) If a limited purpose landfill owner or operator pays a penalty under this section for a violation to a government entity, any penalty imposed by a different government entity for a violation based on the same incident and conduct shall be reduced by the amount of the prior penalty.
(d) Upon receipt of an order by the jurisdictional health department or department, a limited purpose landfill owner or operator must provide information necessary to determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter applicable to limited purpose landfills.
(e) An applicant or permittee must allow the jurisdictional health department and department to conduct inspections and collect samples.
(3)(a) Penalties levied by a jurisdictional health department shall be deposited in the treasury and to the account from which such jurisdictional health department's operating expenses are paid.
(b) Penalties levied by the department under this section must be deposited in the model toxics control operating account created in RCW
70A.305.180.
(4) A person who is issued an order or incurs a penalty from:
(a) A jurisdictional health department may appeal the order or penalty to the local health officer;
(b) The department under this section may appeal the order or penalty to the pollution control hearings board established by chapter
43.21B RCW.
(5) This section does not apply to actions taken by the department under chapter
70A.305 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter
70A.205 RCW to read as follows:
By January 1, 2026, and each five years thereafter, each jurisdictional health department must transmit to the department a list of any violations of the requirements of this chapter currently identified by the jurisdictional health department with respect to each limited purpose landfill that is currently operating in the jurisdiction. This list must include a description of any enforcement actions taken against the limited purpose landfill and whether the identified violation has been resolved to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional health department.
Sec. 8. RCW
43.21B.110 and 2024 c 347 s 5, 2024 c 340 s 4, and 2024 c 339 s 16 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) The hearings board shall only have jurisdiction to hear and decide appeals from the following decisions of the department, the director, local conservation districts, the air pollution control boards or authorities as established pursuant to chapter
70A.15 RCW, local health departments, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, the parks and recreation commission, and authorized public entities described in chapter
79.100 RCW:
(a) Civil penalties imposed pursuant to chapter
70A.230 RCW and RCW
18.104.155,
70A.15.3160,
70A.300.090,
70A.20.050,
70A.230.020,
section 6 of this act, 70A.205.280,
70A.355.070,
70A.430.070,
70A.500.260,
70A.505.100,
70A.505.110,
70A.530.040,
70A.350.070,
70A.515.060,
70A.245.040,
70A.245.050,
70A.245.070,
70A.245.080,
70A.245.130,
70A.245.140,
70A.65.200,
70A.455.090,
70A.550.030,
70A.555.110,
70A.560.020,
70A.565.030,
76.09.170,
77.55.440,
78.44.250,
88.46.090,
90.03.600,
90.46.270,
90.48.144,
90.56.310,
90.56.330, and
90.64.102.
(b) Orders issued pursuant to RCW
18.104.043,
18.104.060,
18.104.130,
43.27A.190,
70A.15.2520,
70A.15.3010,
70A.15.4530,
70A.15.6010,
section 6 of this act, 70A.205.280,
70A.214.140,
70A.300.120,
70A.350.070,
70A.245.020,
70A.65.200,
70A.505.100,
70A.555.110,
70A.560.020,
70A.565.030,
86.16.020,
88.46.070,
90.03.665,
90.14.130,
90.46.250,
90.48.120,
90.48.240,
90.56.330, and
90.64.040.
(c) Except as provided in RCW
90.03.210(2), the issuance, modification, or termination of any permit, certificate, or license by the department or any air authority in the exercise of its jurisdiction, including the issuance or termination of a waste disposal permit, the denial of an application for a waste disposal permit, the modification of the conditions or the terms of a waste disposal permit, a decision to approve or deny a solid waste management plan under RCW
70A.205.055, approval or denial of an application for a beneficial use determination under RCW
70A.205.260, an application for a change under RCW
90.03.383, or a permit to distribute reclaimed water under RCW
90.46.220.
(d) Decisions of local health departments regarding the granting or denial of solid waste permits pursuant to chapter
70A.205 RCW, including appeals by the department as provided in RCW
70A.205.130.
(e) Decisions of local health departments regarding the issuance and enforcement of permits to use or dispose of biosolids under RCW
70A.226.090.
(f) Decisions of the department regarding waste-derived fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer under RCW
15.54.820.
(g) Decisions of local conservation districts related to the denial of approval or denial of certification of a dairy nutrient management plan; conditions contained in a plan; application of any dairy nutrient management practices, standards, methods, and technologies to a particular dairy farm; and failure to adhere to the plan review and approval timelines in RCW
90.64.026 as provided in RCW
90.64.028.
(h) Any other decision by the department or an air authority which pursuant to law must be decided as an adjudicative proceeding under chapter
34.05 RCW.
(i) Decisions of the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, and the department that are reviewable under chapter
76.09 RCW, and the department of natural resources' appeals of county, city, or town objections under RCW
76.09.050(7).
(j) Forest health hazard orders issued by the commissioner of public lands under RCW
76.06.180.
(k) Decisions of the department of fish and wildlife to issue, deny, condition, or modify a hydraulic project approval permit under chapter
77.55 RCW, to issue a stop work order, to issue a notice to comply, to issue a civil penalty, or to issue a notice of intent to disapprove applications.
(l) Decisions of the department of natural resources that are reviewable under RCW
78.44.270.
(m) Decisions of an authorized public entity under RCW
79.100.010 to take temporary possession or custody of a vessel or to contest the amount of reimbursement owed that are reviewable by the hearings board under RCW
79.100.120.
(n) Decisions of the department of ecology that are appealable under RCW
70A.245.020 to set recycled minimum postconsumer content for covered products or to temporarily exclude types of covered products in plastic containers from minimum postconsumer recycled content requirements.
(o) Orders by the department of ecology under RCW
70A.455.080.
(2) The following hearings shall not be conducted by the hearings board:
(a) Hearings required by law to be conducted by the shorelines hearings board pursuant to chapter
90.58 RCW, except where appeals to the pollution control hearings board and appeals to the shorelines hearings board have been consolidated pursuant to RCW
43.21B.340.
(d) Hearings conducted by the department to adopt, modify, or repeal rules.
(3) Review of rules and regulations adopted by the hearings board shall be subject to review in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2025, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void."
(2) Authorizes Ecology to suspend a permit for a limited purpose landfill, rather than all solid waste handling facilities, that is being operated in violation of applicable laws and rules.
(3) Provides that the authority for a jurisdictional health department (JHD) and Ecology to issue civil penalties and issue compliance orders is for limited purpose landfills operating in violation of applicable laws and rules, rather than all solid waste handling facilities.
(4) Requires limited purpose landfills, rather than solid waste handling facilities, to provide information necessary to determine compliance to the JHD and Ecology.
(5) Requires a JHD to provide Ecology with a list of all violations of applicable laws and rules by each limited purpose landfill, rather than each solid waste handling facility, operating in the JHD's jurisdiction.
(6) Provides a definition for limited purpose landfills for the chapter.