HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2333

BYRepresentatives Rasmussen, Rayburn, Kremen, Moyer, McLean, Bowman, Dorn, Spanel, Rust, Jesernig, Rector, Youngsman and Kirby

Disposing of wastes in agricultural areas.

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Nealey, Ranking Republican Member; Baugher, Chandler, Doty, Grant, Jesernig, Kirby, McLean, Rasmussen and Youngsman.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Karl Herzog (786-7271)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1990

BACKGROUND:

State law indicates that the Director of Agriculture has general responsibilities concerning agricultural land use as it relates to the production, distribution, and sale of agricultural commodities.

SUMMARY:

The sum of $35,000 is appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for the current biennium for studying the potential impact of applying sludge from sewage treatment plants on agricultural lands and the impact of locating and operating refuse incinerators in agricultural production areas.  The impacts to be studied must include the impact of these activities on agricultural production and marketing.  Technical assistance in conducting the study must be secured from Washington State University.  The director must report the results of the study by January 1, 1991.

Appropriation:    $35,000 from the general fund to the Department of Agriculture.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Agriculture & Rural Development)  Mike Schwisow, Department of Agriculture; and Randy Ray, Washington Association of Wheat Growers.

(Appropriations)  Representative Marilyn Rasmussen.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Agriculture & Rural Development)  No one.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Agriculture & Rural Development)  The bill permits a literature review to provide information that will be important in addressing the public's perceptions of the effects of these activities on agricultural commodities.

(Appropriations)  Though studies on the effects of sludge application and incineration of agricultural production and marketing have been completed, a central data base of this information is lacking.  This study will create such a data base, and allow the agriculture industry to effectively address public perception issues.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Agriculture & Rural Development)  None.

(Appropriations)  None.