February 22 - Hot List for State House
POSSIBLE HOUSE FLOOR ACTION
SHB 3181: The Clean Water Act of 2010 funding cleanup of water pollution and other programs necessary for the healthy and well-being of Washington citizens through an increase in the hazardous substance tax.
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill is now a central part of the Governor’s proposed revenue package because it provides a balanced solution for addressing the state’s near term budget woes and providing a clean water legacy for generations to come.
- Local governments lack the funds to meet federal clean water requirements, and this bill allows for tax relief for businesses and property owners by requiring that oil companies and other polluter pay their fair share; an approach that voters enthusiastically approach.
- Gas prices have fluctuated more than 3 cents in the two weeks since this bill was introduced and, according to DOR, any impact on gas prices from this bill would be so small as to be “indistinguishable."
HB 2591: Recovering the actual cost of processing applications for water right permits.
POSITION: SUPPORT
- The Department of Ecology’s Water Resource Program is over 85% dependent on the General Fund. Currently, the law allows Ecology to collect minimal fees (e.g., $50 for examination of an application), but in reality, processing applications costs thousands of dollars.
- This bill generates revenue through water management fees and requires future permit-exempt well users to register with the Department of Ecology.
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 Departments of Ecology and Health support banning BPA in sports water bottles because there are safer alternatives.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 6279: Clarifying regional transit authority facilities as
essential public facilities.
Local Government & Housing: Public hearing & Possible
Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill affirms in statute that regional transit authority facilities are essential public facilities. While this is already believed to be the case, the law helps to bring clarity.
- SB 6279 passed out of the Senate unanimously.
SSB 6557: Limiting the use of certain substances in brake
friction material. Environmental Health: Possible Executive Session
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.
