issue area reports | energy and environment foam-filled tanks can create problems when they break apart , the hollow tanks also create waste because they don ’ t last as long and can ’ t be recycled . A compromise was reached to be more specific about the types of docks banned under the bill , allowing hard shell-wrapped foam but banning plastic-wrapped foam that breaks apart much more easily . AWB supported the revised bill . It passed 97-0 in the House and 37-11 in the Senate .
HB 1175 creating a state financial assurance program for petroleum underground storage tanks
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Beth Doglio , D-Olympia
This bill adds a 0.15 % tax on the sale of refined petroleum products . This creates a fund for the owners of underground storage tanks to clean up any leaks and remove the tanks . This will become more necessary as green transportation options reduce the need for underground tanks , making them less commercially useful and more of a liability . This program helps businesses by working with them and providing funding . The bill passed the House 63-31 and the Senate 35-14 .
SB 5144 expended producer responsibility for batteries
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor : Sen . Derek Stanford , D-Bothell
AWB was generally fine with the provisions of SB 5144 until a late-breaking addition . SB 5144 creates a structure to recycle batteries , ensuring that materials stay out of the landfill and that valuable materials such as lithium and cobalt are reused . Late in the
Rep . Beth Doglio , D-Olympia , chairs the House Environment & Energy Committee .
legislative process , there was a proposal about agencies studying certain other types of products to add to the program by agency rule . AWB generally does not support policies that let products be added by agencies through rulemaking . We prefer to see that language come back to elected lawmakers . An amendment removed those products from the bill and AWB no longer had objections . The bill passed the Senate 42-6 and the House 57-40 .
SB 5369 reassessing standards for pcbs in consumer products
Passed / AWB Neutral sponsor : Sen . Andy Billig , D-Spokane
This bill addresses inadvertent PCBs in paints and pigments . This is an important issue to help paper recyclers that inadvertently end up concentrating PCBs in their effluent as they recycle paper that contains inks with small amounts of PCBs in them . The recyclers then have to treat this effluent to a level that is very expensive and the result of products they did not manufacture . Changes were made to the bill due to concern from the Department of Ecology over lawsuits related to the federal Toxic Substances Control Act ( TSCA ). In its final form the bill requires the Department of Ecology to petition to the Environmental Protection Agency to change TSCA to not allow inadvertent PCBs . The bill passed both chambers unanimously . Lawmakers plan to return to this issue , which AWB supports .
Bill considered as part of AWB ’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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