issue area reports | environment & energy
Sen . Ann Rivers , R-La Center , is the Senate Republican Whip . Sen . Shelly Short , R-Addy , is the Republican Floor Leader .
the Legislature passed SB 5397 , which directed the Department of Ecology to an assessment of plastic packaging used in the state and report to the Legislature as to which products could be replaced . AWB felt that it was important to allow Ecology to complete that work which had already received funding and was underway . The bill did not pass .
SB 6210 concerning antifouling paints on recreational water vessels
Passed / AWB Supported
Senate Bill 6210 , sponsored by Sen . Liz Lovelett , D-Anacortes , is a Department of Ecology agency request bill which prohibits the sale and use of copper-based antifouling paints on recreational vessels in Washington in 2026 if the Department of Ecology finds that an acceptable substitute is available . The bill pushes out the date which copper-based paints are banned in Washington starting 2021 , in response to an earlier bill in 2018 .
AWB supported this bill because a safer alternative to copper-based paints is not currently available and without this bill , all such paints would be banned in the state . It passed the Senate 47-0 and the House 97-0 .
water bills
SB 6278 concerning water withdrawals for commercial bottled water production
Failed / AWB Opposed
Senate Bill 6278 , sponsored by Sen . Reuven Carlyle , D-Seattle , would have modified the state water code to ban the granting of a new water right for the purposes of producing commercial bottled water in the state . The bill was prompted by a Lewis County case where a bottled water facility was proposed and opposed by members of the community .
AWB opposed the bill because it would find that a specific use of a water withdrawal was detrimental to the public welfare and public interest . The state water code is an incredibly complicated part of state law and there exist numerous restrictions and criteria to be considered when granting water rights and how they are to be transferred and used based on a complex hierarchy of rights . A principal concern was that once one industry was prevented from applying for water rights based solely on the use of the water , pressure would grow to include other industries . The proposed plant had already withdrawn its
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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