February 8 - Hot List for State House
STATE HOUSE
HB 3181: The Clean Water Act of 2010 funding cleanup of water pollution and other programs necessary for the health and well-being of Washington citizens through an increase in the hazardous substance tax.
PLEASE PINK SLIP BY 2:00 TUESDAY
- HB 3181 will put Washington back to work. By increasing the existing tax on Hazardous Substances (levied on petroleum and other toxic chemicals), the state can raise $450 million per biennium to fund job-creating clean water projects in every district and temporarily provide much needed dollars for the General Fund.
- This bill will create jobs, rebuild local economies, and clean up polluted waterways like Puget Sound and the Spokane River. It is supported by environmentalists, labor, local governments, and the Rebuilding our Economic Future Coalition.
POSSIBLE HOUSE FLOOR ACTION
SHB 2416: Establishing energy efficiency standards for consumer products.
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill adopts efficiency standards for consumer products including televisions.
- In
2020, these efficiency standards will save Washington energy consumers
about $24.8 million per year. Energy savings will be an estimated 45
annual average megawatts – equal to the average output of about 60 wind
turbines.
HB 2541: Promoting and fostering the success of the forest products industry.
POSITION: OPPOSE
- This legislation requires a time-consuming, costly evaluation of voluntary measures before new logging rules can be adopted under the State Forest Practices Act to protect public safety and public resources like clean water; this linkage should be opposed.
- We have offered an approach that creates incentives in a way that does not create gear grinding in the rule making process, and does not cause misplaced opposition to the use of non-regulatory tools. We hope this win-win approach will be considered.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION
SHB 2914: Reducing the release of mercury into the environment.
Ways & Means: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- Creates a producer-provided recycling program for CFLs and other mercury-containing lights from residents who currently have limited or no recycling options across the state.
- Budget-neutral to the State. A fee paid by producers of mercury-containing lights recovers agency oversight costs.
SHB 2992: Extending the deadlines for the review and evaluation of comprehensive land use plan and development regulations for three years.
Ways & Means: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT w/o amendments
- SHB 2992 delays the next time local governments update their land use plans for three years. These updates are where cities and counties comprehensively review and revise their 20-year growth plans to reflect future land capacity & demand, population projection, and infrastructure funding.
- The substitute bill, unanimously passed by policy committee, protects commercially significant farm and forest land from being converted to other uses during this 3 year delay.
