March 1 - Hot List for the State House

POSSIBLE HOUSE FLOOR ACTION

ESSB 5543: Reducing the release of mercury into the environment.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• Creates a recycling program for CFLs and other mercury-containing lights from residents. As a result of stakeholder negotiations, it sets the amount paid by producers and exempts retailers from paying for the program.
• We only support amendments that Rep. Hunt brings forward.

PSSB 6214: Restructuring three growth management hearings boards into one board.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• This bill consolidates the 3 growth management hearings boards into 1 board and reduces the number of board members from 9 to 7. This bill will save the state nearly $800,000 a biennium and is supported by a broad range of stakeholders, including interests representing cities, counties and the environmental & business communities.
• The substitute provides flexibility to the GMHB but directs them to, when possible, create future panels in a way that reflects the qualifications and makeup of the entire board.

2SSB 6248: Regarding the use of bisphenol A. (a.k.a. The Safe Baby Bottle Act)

POSITION: SUPPORT

• The House version of the Safe Baby Bottle Bill (2SHB 1180) passed the House 95-1 and included a ban on BPA in sports bottles.
• The Senate bill was amended in the Environmental Health committee to put sports bottles back in with clarifying language and a phase out date that is one year later than baby bottles. The bill passed out of this committee and the General Government Appropriations committee with unanimous support.

2SSB 6350: Concerning marine waters management that includes marine spatial planning.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• This bill establishes an interagency planning process to better coordinate federal, state, and local government management programs designed to protect marine ecosystems and fisheries in Puget Sound and in the open ocean.

2SSB 6557: Limiting the use of certain substances in brake friction material.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• This bill calls for the eventual phase-out of auto brake-pads containing copper. Copper is a very significant pollutant in stormwater runoff that is highly toxic to salmon and other aquatic life.

SSB 6747: Natural heritage program cost recovery.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to charge fees for the Washington Natural Heritage Program. The program maintains the state’s only inventory of rare plants, animals, and ecosystems used by governments, developers and researchers.
• The fees are needed to continue the program due to severe supplemental budget reductions.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION

SHB 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.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• The Hazardous Substance Tax has existed for over 20 years and the rate has never been increased.
• By increasing the tax rate and devoting a portion of the revenue to the general fund in the near term, this bill is a scalable, balanced approach for addressing the state’s near term budget woes and providing a clean water legacy for generations to come.