AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 7
February 16, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Governor Gregoire Addresses CLAC Attendees
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

Environment & Water

NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit Appeal by Cities

By the end of the business day on Friday, February 16, it is expected that a number of cities will appeal portions of the NPDES Phase II stormwater permit. AWC will post information on our website when it becomes available.

During the Governor’s luncheon address this week at AWC’s City Legislative Action Conference in Olympia, the Governor was asked about this issue. She responded that she understands and appreciates how complex, difficult and expensive stormwater management is and that she is committed to working with cities and others to find ways to make permit implementation successful.

Clean Up and Protection of the Puget Sound (SHB 1374/SB 5372)

The House version of this sweeping bill moved from committee and next appears to be headed for consideration by the House Appropriations Committee.

AWC is evaluating changes made to the bill in committee and remains generally supportive. A proposed substitute Senate version has been released for discussion among various interest groups that met this week to discuss the issue. AWC staff is working with representatives from counties and ports to respond to this version. AWC staff recently met with (and will continue to meet with) the bill’s prime sponsor and proponent, Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island). Cities wanting more information are encouraged to contact Dave Williams, davew@awcnet.org.

Residential Yard Waste Burning in Small Cities

AWC has been working with Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-Wenatchee) and representatives from a number of small cities to craft language to address the issue of outdoor yard waste burning in GMA-planning cities under 5,000 in population. The current language would extend allowing such burning until July 1, 2008 in all such cities except those located in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. A task force would be created to assess the issues around burning in these small and often isolated communities and would report findings to the 2008 Legislature. The Legislature would then address whether or not to extend the ban beyond July 2008.

AWC is consulting with the Department of Ecology and appreciates the willingness of Director Jay Manning to work with us. It appears a new bill sponsored by Sen. Parlette will be introduced rather than amendments being made to SB 5075. We appreciate Sen. Parlette’s efforts on this matter.

Inventory and Inspection Program for On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems in Cities (HB 1650)

A proposed substitute to HB 1650 has been crafted by the sponsor, Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-Vancouver), following consultations with AWC and other interests. As reported in the past several issues of this Bulletin, HB 1650 would require cities to conduct an inventory of property that uses septic systems and to establish an inspection program for those systems. Such work could be done by others such as the county health district. As proposed for amendment, the bill would only apply to cities outside the 12 counties adjacent to the Puget Sound (as understood by AWC, these cities are already under a similar requirement based on a bill passed last year) as well as cities currently containing 31,000 or more residents.

HB 1650 includes proposed funding to conduct the inventory work and assumes the inspection costs would be born by property owners. If funds necessary to carry out the inspections are not appropriated by the Legislature, the responsibility would be null and void. AWC is contacting the impacted cities for comment and appreciates the efforts by Rep. Fromhold to focus the bill on larger cities. If you have comments on this bill, please contact Tim Gugerty, timg@awcnet.org.

Bills of Interest This Coming Week

Exempting Normal Maintenance from Shorelines Permitting (HB 1241)

HB 1241 would exempt normal maintenance from the definition of substantial development under the Shorelines Management Act. Unless we hear otherwise from cities, AWC will support the bill. HB 1241 is scheduled for hearing at 10 am on Thursday, February 22 in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Reclaimed Water

Although not yet introduced as a bill, Sen. Erik Poulsen has scheduled a hearing on a draft bill that would:

  • change the language in the reclaimed water bill concerning water rights;
  • expand planning for reclaimed water by municipalities;
  • ask for study and reports on several major changes to reclaimed water;
  • allow use of reclaimed water to meet water supply requirements under GMA;
  • give authority to cities and counties to do conservation ordinances that require use of reclaimed water;
  • set up a task force to identify funding for reclaimed projects, and;
  • establish a number of new provisions concerning reclaimed water.

A number of individual cities and AWC have received the draft and are evaluating it in advance of the hearing in Sen. Poulsen’s Water, Energy and Telecommunications Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23. Cities wanting a copy of the draft or wishing to provide input are encouraged to contact Tim Gugerty , timg@awcnet.org.