Items in gray are dead.
In
addition, the Board thought it prudent to discuss some major issues likely
to appear on the Legislature’s agenda and to reach agreement on the sense of
the Board prior to session.
The
Statement of Policy on Possible 2007 Legislative Issues represents the
sense of the Board on a limited number of significant issues that the Board
discussed as a whole prior to session, and is intended to guide Board staff
and individual Board members in their communications.
| Bill Number: |
ESHB 1024 | SSB 5034 |
| Short Title: |
Phasing out the use of polybrominated
diphenyl ethers |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Hunter | Regala |
| Status: |
ESHB1024 passed the Legislature and was signed by Governor. SSB 5034
died. |
| Digest: |
View
digest for
ESHB 1024 on line. View
digest for SSB 5034 on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
ESHB 1024. Full
text of SSB 5034. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3. The Board’s work plan includes
measures to support Department of Ecology’s efforts to control
persistent and bioaccumulative toxic substances. |
| Explanation: |
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are
used extensively as fire retardants in upholstered furniture and plastic
cases of electronic devices. PBDEs get into the household and larger
environment. Levels are increasing in the environment, animals, and
humans. These are bioaccumulative toxic chemicals. Research in animals
indicates PBDEs can affect brain development. Following the
Precautionary Principle, reduction of use of PBDE’s in consumer products
is a prudent measure to protect public health if alternative fire
retardants are available. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Letter of
support sent for original HB 1024(changes in substitute bill do not
affect). Letter
of support sent for original SB 5034. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
SHB 1071 | 2SSB 5093 |
| Short Title: |
Concerning access to health care services for
children |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Clibborn | Marr |
| Status: |
Second Substitute SB 5093 passed and has been signed by the Governor. SHB 1071 is dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line for 2SSB 5093. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
2SSB 5093 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4 |
| Explanation: |
Board’s policy statement supports
increased access to care, particularly for children. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Signed in support |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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| Bill Number: |
SHB 1098 |
| Short Title: |
Authorizing suspension of restriction on the availability of vaccines
during outbreaks |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Cody |
| Status: |
Passed and sent to the Governor. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
SHB 1098. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly
related to one of the Priority Topics established by the Board each
biennium, as supported by a Board-approved work plan, interim document,
or final report |
| Explanation: |
This bill relates to mercury containing vaccines for pregnant women and
children under the age of three. It changes the secretary of the
department of health’s authority to suspend the requirements of mercury
containing vaccines in special circumstances. Currently the secretary of
the department of health may upon declaration of a public health
emergency suspend the requirements of mercury containing vaccines for
the duration of the emergency. The bill would change the secretary’s
authority to upon declaration of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable
disease, to suspend the requirements mercury containing vaccines for
the duration of the outbreak. This change clarifies the
secretary’s authority and more clearly describes the conditions under
which the limitations of the law can be suspended. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Letter of support
sent. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara
Wolff |
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| Bill Number: |
EHB 1460 | SSB 5446 |
| Short Title: |
Mental health parity |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Schual-Berke | Keiser |
| Status: |
HB 1460 passed and was signed by the Governor March 30. SSB 5446
is dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line for EHB 1460 |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
final HB 1460 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3 and 4. Mental health services appear on Board’s Menu of
Critical Health Services. Support for access to mental health part of
the Board’s statement of policy. |
| Explanation: |
Mental health parity bill in 2005 made sure health insurance policies
would provide same level of coverage for mental illness as for physical
illness, but excluded individual and small group parities. This would
narrow that exemption. Relatively modest premium increases would be
easily offset by social benefits. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Sent letter of support for HB 1460. Signed in and sent
letter of support
for SB 5446. Signed in support in opposite houses. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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| Bill Number: |
E2SHB 1595 |
| Short Title: |
Expanding the protection of shellfish in Puget Sound |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Appleton |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest of
E2SHB 1595 on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
E2SHB 1595 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: The Board adopted a statement of policy on possible 2007
legislative issues that includes supporting legislation that would help
implement programs to correct failing on-site sewage systems. |
| Explanation: |
This bill intends to enhance provisions for shellfish protection
districts to control non-point and point pollution in shellfish growing
areas. Existing law requires counties to form such districts to control
non-point pollution and implement shellfish protection programs within
180 days of Department of Health closing or downgrading a shellfish
growing area. This bill would authorize specified counties
(Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Puget Sound counties) to
establish shellfish protection districts and management programs to
control non-point sources of pollution that threaten shellfish farming. When
a shellfish growing area is downgraded, closed, or determined by the Department
to be threatened, a specified county would be
required to establish a shellfish protection program within 180 days and
begin implementation within 60 days after it is established. The
Department could give time extensions. The bill would provide for
matching funds. The bill’s provisions for assisting countries with
funding are void
if funding is not provided in the budget. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept |
| Board Action: |
Letter
sent to House Select Committee on Puget Sound |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
SHB 1650 |
| Short Title: |
Providing for an inspected inventory of on-site sewage disposal systems |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Fromhold |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest of SHB 1650 on line |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
SHB
1650 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: The Board has adopted a statement of policy on possible 2007
legislative issues to support measures that are consistent with existing
Board rules, improve communication about system maintenance at time of
property transfer, strengthen local enforcement capacity, and help
homeowners repair failing systems. |
| Explanation: |
The Board supports the goals of the bill; however, it has concerns about
the approach. The Board has adopted Chapter 246-272A WAC, which
regulates on-site sewage systems. These rules are implemented by local
health jurisdictions. The bill would require cities with a population
of 31,000 or more to inventory on-site sewage systems by January 2009
and institute a program for inspection every 5 years starting in 2012.
The bill does not provide secure funding for these activities. These
new programs might compete for local resources with ongoing programs of
local health jurisdictions to implement rules of the Board. The Board
revised its rules in 2005. Local health jurisdictions are implementing
them in a phased approach. Also the legislature passed new requirements
in 2006 for marine counties, which local health jurisdictions are
implementing. The Board feels these should be given a chance to work
before local governments are asked to undertake new on-site system
management activities. |
| Recommendation: |
Concern |
| Board Action: |
Letter
with concerns sent to House Select Committee on Environmental Health. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
SHB 1802 |
| Short Title: |
Providing information about the human papillomavirus disease and vaccine |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Darneille |
| Status: |
Passed and sent to the Governor. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
SHB 1802. |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3: Is directly related to one of the Priority Topics
established by the Board each biennium, as supported by a Board-approved
work plan, interim document, or final report |
| Explanation: |
This bill proposes to educate parents and guardians of school children
in grades 6 and higher about human papillomavirus (HPV) and inform them
about the availability of a vaccine that could prevent cervical cancer.
The HPV information would include: causes and symptoms, how human
papillomavirus disease is spread, places where parents and guardians can
get additional information and vaccinations for their children; and CDC
information on the vaccines and how to obtain them. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept. |
| Board Action: |
Letter of support
sent supporting concept. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Tara Wolff |
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| Bill Number: |
2SHB 1806 |
| Short Title: |
Limiting the use of high hazard pesticides on school facilities |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Pedersen |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest
for 2SHB 1806 on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of
SHB 1806 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: The Board adopted a statement of policy on possible 2007
legislative issues that includes supporting legislation that advances
the goals of the Board for environmental health and safety in schools.
On December 13, 2006 the Board adopted a policy supporting the
Department of Agriculture’s role as lead on pesticide management issues
and encouraging an integrated pest management approach to reducing
pesticide use in schools. |
| Explanation: |
Although the Board supports the goals of the bill, it has concerns. The
Board supports the concept of mandating development of a model
integrated pest management policy for schools. However, this bill would
also require the Board to develop rules listing pesticides that pose a
high hazard to the health of children if used in schools. The current
bill does not mandate that schools avoid use of pesticides on that list. |
| Recommendation: |
Concerns |
| Board Action: |
Letter with
concerns sent to House Select Committee on Environmental
Health |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
HB 1821 |
| Short Title: |
Exemption for manufacturers of biological remediation technologies for
use in on-site sewage disposal systems |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Hunt |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line |
| Full Text: |
Full
text of HB 1821 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 2: The Board has adopted rules that specify a process for the
review, approval, and registration of proprietary technologies for
treating on-site sewage. |
| Explanation: |
This bill would exempt a specific class of on-site sewage treatment
proprietary products, aerobic bacteria generators, from the Board’s
rules for review, approval, and registering with the Department of
Health. Although the Board’s rules adopted in 2005 have general
requirements for registering proprietary on-site sewage treatment
products, they do not include criteria specific to drainfield
remediation technologies. In response to a request from members of the
House Select Committee on Hood Canal and Lt. Governor Owen, the Board
initiated a rule revision in June 2006. The Board asked the Department
to proceed with developing a rule for reviewing, approving, and
registering proprietary technologies specifically intended to be used to
remediate failing drainfields. The Board asked the Department to
consider all types of technologies for this rule, not just aerobic
bacteria generators. Several types of technologies appear to be
promising. The Board feels that a deliberative rule making process,
considering all technologies, is the fairest and best way to develop
standards for approving proprietary technologies. |
| Recommendation: |
Oppose |
| Board Action: |
The Board’s Executive Director testified to House Select Committee on
Environmental Health on February 6 about the Board’s concerns. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill Number: |
E2SHB 1825 | SSB 5279 |
| Short Title: |
Providing dedicated funding for public health services. |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Schual-Berke | Franklin |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest
on line for E2SHB 1825 |
| Full Text: |
Full
text for
E2SHB 1825 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 3 and 4: Consistent with 2005-07 Strategic Plan Objective 1.
Board’s policy statement endorses recommendations of Joint Select
Committee on Public Health Financing, which these bills would implement. |
| Explanation: |
This bill would provide new state funding for public health services,
which would be tied to accountability measures. Would provide $50
million per biennium in funding from cigarette taxes. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept (not in the Governor’s budget) |
| Board Action: |
Sent letter supporting concept on HB 1825.
Sent letter
supporting concept on SB 5729. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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| Bill Number: |
HB 2012 |
| Short Title: |
On-site sewage
disposal systems |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Springer |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line |
| Full Text: |
View
text on line |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 2: Contrary
to policy direction established by Board in rule governing small onsite
systems. |
| Explanation: |
Bill would set up
process for soil-based testing of proprietary treatment units that claim
to promote denitrification. Board rules adopted in 2005 specifically
included a standard for testing for denitrification based on nitrogen
content of the effluent. Soil-based testing is not advisable. |
| Recommendation: |
Oppose. Testify. |
| Board Action: |
Craig McLaughlin testified in opposition. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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| Bill Number: |
2SHB 2098 | E2SSB 5930 |
| Short Title: |
Blue ribbon comm/health care |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Cody | Keiser |
| Status: |
Engrossed Second Substitute SB 5930 passed with amendments and has been
sent to the Governor. HB 2098 is
dead. |
| Digest: |
Provides a plan to develop high quality, affordable health care to
Washingtonians based on the recommendations of the blue ribbon
commission on health care costs and access. |
| Full Text: |
Full
text for
E2SSB 5930 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Categories 3 & 4: Increasing access and improving the public health
infrastructure both are objectives in the strategic plan and both are
called out in the statement of the board. |
| Explanation: |
Primary interest is in Section 19, which would provided provide
additional noncategorical state funding to local health jurisdictions.
That funding would be dispersed through contracts that would be tied to
performance standards and data reporting. The Board is keenly aware of
the funding difficulties facing the public health system in Washington
State. It also believes that performance standards are necessary. This
language was removed from SSB 5930. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Sent letter of support for HB 2098.
Sent letter of
support for SB 5930. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Craig McLaughlin |
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| Bill Number: |
SSB 5484 |
| Short Title: |
Allowing dogs in designated outdoor areas of bars and coffee shops |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Jacobsen |
| Status: |
Dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest of SSB 5484 on line |
| Full Text: |
Full text of
SB 5484 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 1: The Board
currently has authority to adopt rules for food service establishments,
not the Department of Health.
Category 2: The
Board has adopted FDA Food Code national standards for food
establishments in Chapter 246-215 WAC, which include prohibiting pets in
food establishments. An outdoor eating area of a food establishment is
considered part of the establishment. |
| Explanation: |
Washington State’s food
service rules have prohibited pets in food establishments for decades,
based on national standards from FDA and the US Public Health Service.
The FDA Food code was adopted largely without change because members of
the food service industry told the Board that consistency in food
service rules in all jurisdictions statewide should be encouraged. The
substitute bill would establish a more cumbersome method for local
jurisdictions to provide a variance from this provision of Chapter
246-215 WAC than is already provided for in Board rules and the FDA Food
Code. Such a variance is now entirely within the discretion of the local
regulatory authority to grant based on evaluation of the hazard and
mitigation measures. Dogs potentially carry pathogens transmissible to
humans through food or food contact surfaces.
Pet dogs have
varying degrees of training, socialization, and predictability. Dogs
tend to drool, lick, and relieve themselves at inappropriate times. They
continuously shed hair, which can be contaminated. The rules do allow
trained service animals into the customer areas of food
establishments. The high level of training that a service animal
receives regarding behaving in public helps mitigate the potential
hazard to food safety. |
| Recommendation: |
Concerns |
| Board Action: |
Letter of
concern and testimony provided to Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce,
and Research & Development |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill
Number: |
SB 5778 | HB 1928 |
| Short Title: |
Implementation of shellfish protection
programs |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Fraser | Jarrett |
| Status: |
SB 5778 passed Legislature and was signed by the Governor. HB 1928 is dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest on line. |
| Full Text: |
Full text of
SB 5778 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: The Board adopted a statement of
policy on possible 2007 legislative issues that includes supporting
legislation that would help implement programs to correct failing
on-site sewage systems. |
| Explanation: |
These companion bills would enhance
provisions for shellfish protection districts to control non-point
pollution in shellfish growing areas. Existing law requires the county
legislative body to form such a district and implement a shellfish
protection program within 180 days of Department of Health closing or
downgrading a shellfish growing area. This bill would require the
county to begin implementation of that program within 60 days after it
is established. Departments of Health, Ecology, and Agriculture would
be provided copy of plan and required to cooperate with county in its
implementation. The county would be required to provide annual reports
to legislature. |
| Recommendation: |
Support |
| Board Action: |
Letter of support
for SB 5778 sent to Senate Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Committee. |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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| Bill
Number: |
ESSB 5894 | SHB 2066 |
| Short Title: |
Clarifying regulatory authority for [large]
on-site sewage systems |
| Prime Sponsor: |
Rockefeller | Hunt |
| Status: |
ESSB 5894 passed Legislature and sent to
Governor. SHB 2066 is technically dead. |
| Digest: |
View
digest of
ESSB 5894 online |
| Full Text: |
View full
text of
ESSB 5894 |
| Reason for Interest: |
Category 4: The Board adopted a statement of
policy on possible 2007 legislative issues that includes supporting
consolidating large on-site sewage system permitting in one agency
operating under a single rule that addresses both human health and
environmental health. |
| Explanation: |
Currently, large on-site sewage systems
receive permits through the Department of Health (DOH) or Ecology.
Ecology manages large on-site systems with mechanical treatment. DOH
has lead for most of the systems and implements Board rules for its
activity. Some local health agencies have regulated large on-site
systems cooperatively with DOH. These companion bills would concentrate
all authority for large on-site permitting and rule adoption in DOH.
The bill clarifies that the Board’s authority for on-site sewage rules
would be for systems with design flows less than 3,500 gallons/day. |
| Recommendation: |
Support concept |
| Board Action: |
Monitor |
| Staff Assigned: |
Ned Therien |
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