OLYMPIA — Washington would be one of the first states to require rechargeable-battery manufacturers to recycle their products under a bill under consideration in Olympia, according to a North Olympic Peninsula representative who introduced the legislation.
Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, said Washington and Oregon would be the only states with the requirement if the bill is adopted.
Tharinger said about 80 percent of the manufacturers currently offer some sort of recycling program for their products, and the bill is intended to get the rest on board.
“They’re incurring a cost to do this,” he said.
“The other 20 percent are benefitting without paying.”
Recycling the batteries, typically from cellphones and laptop computers, keeps their heavy metals out of the waste stream, Tharinger said.
The recycling programs, to be paid for by battery manufacturers, would cover both battery collection and recycling.
It would cost manufacturers a penny for every 100 grams, Tharinger said.
The bill was heard before the House Environment Committee on Jan. 20, but will likely be revised to reduce the cost of oversight by the state Department of Ecology so it can be passed by the committee before Tuesday’s cutoff, he said.
Last week, Tharinger also introduced a bill that would require the state Department of Ecology to give Water Resource Inventory Area projects a priority for funding if the planning unit is at risk of dissolving.
Tharinger represents the 24th Legislative District, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County, along with Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam.
Hargrove introduced three bills last week.
■ Senate Bill 6492 would set performance targets for mental evaluations conducted by the state.
■ SB 6494 would prohibit a court from issuing a bench warrant for a child who failed to attend a hearing regarding school truancy.
■ SB 6524 would delay the elimination of the Family Policy Council. It also requires the council to develop a plan for transferring its responsibility to other organizations by June 30, 2013.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a bill unanimously Friday that allows people who buy a parking pass for state parks to use it on two cars.
The Discover Pass has been required to park a vehicle at state parks since last July.
It costs $30 a year. A day pass can be purchased for $10.
Hargrove, who introduced a similar bill, co-sponsored the legislation, SB 5977.
The bill will be considered by the House, where six other bills have been introduced to make the pass transferable between two vehicles and make other minor changes.
Van De Wege has introduced two of the bills.
Other than the Discover Pass legislation, the Senate has passed five bills this session.
They are:
■ SB 6105, exempting veterinarians from requirements regarding prescription data submission. The bill passed 44-0; Hargrove voted yes.
■ SB 6095, updating gender-based terms.
The bill passed 44-0; Hargrove voted yes.
■ SB 6059, establishing the veterans’ raffle.
The bill passed 44-0; Hargrove voted yes.
■ SB 6044, authorizes pubic utility districts to sell water from the Columbia River for pumped storage projects.
The bill passed 44-0; Hargrove voted yes.
■ SB 5069, creating an account for administering the farm labor contractor licensing program.
The bill passed 44-0; Hargrove voted yes.
House bills
The House has passed 28 bills and one resolution so far this session.
They are:
■ House Concurrent Resolution 4409, amends population numbers for congressional and legislative districts.
The resolution passed 95-0. Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1700, modifies requirements for the design of transportation projects, including allowing cities to use street funds for pedestrian projects.
The bill passed 63-32. Van De Wege voted yes; Tharinger voted no.
■ HB 1081, authorizes the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to permit small alternative energy resource facilities.
The bill passed 80-10; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2242, requires the state Department of Licensing to adopt rules regarding online learning and training for cosmetology, manicuring, barbering and esthetics.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1398, creates an exemption from impact fees for low-income housing.
The bill passed 53-42; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1900, creates continuing education requirements for engineers.
The bill passed 66-29; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2186, allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to perform certain tasks if directed by a licensed midwife.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2210, extends campaign contribution limits to school board candidates.
The bill passed 71-24. Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2212, extends expiration dates for certain water rights.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2218, modifies the definition of service contract.
The bill passed 95-0. Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2219, permits the state Gambling Commission to issue certain licenses for up to 18 months.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2195, enacts the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2194, modifies the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act, including prohibiting landlords from preventing tenants from holding meetings relating to mobile home living and affairs.
The bill passed 94-1; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1652, allows a person injured by electronic impersonation to seek damages.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2181, extends the age for service in the State Guard upon request.
The bill passed 95-0. Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2188, exempts certain air rescue service providers from the insurance code.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 2196, adopts the Uniform Collaborative Law Act.
The bill passed 95-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1050, allows a military parent, who shares custody of a child, to delegate their time with the child to someone else if they military orders prevent them from seeing their child.
The bill passed 90-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1221, allows students serving in the military reserves to be reimbursed some tuition if they miss exams while being called to active duty and training.
The bill passed 89-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1234, exempts information regarding security alarm systems obtained by law enforcement from being released through public disclosure requests.
The bill passed 90-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1381, allows an application to change or transfer a water right to qualify the right for relinquishment.
The bill passed 89-2; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1470, requires that recruiters for the military and Peace Corps to be given equal access to school campuses as other occupational or educational representatives.
The bill passed 89-2; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1486, allows pharmacies to fill prescriptions from advanced nurse practitioners.
The bill passed 91-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1615, extends to the Washington Service Members’ Civil Relief Act to National Guard members.
The bill passed 91-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1699, removes the 5-percent cap on allowable administrative costs for the Housing Assistance and Affordable Housing programs at the state Department of Commerce.
The bill passed 91-0; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1207, designates noon as the start time for annual regular legislative sessions.
The bill passed 93-0. Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1568, allows boards of trustees for community and technical colleges to add a seat for students.
The bill passed 80-15; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1650, makes a program that allows part-time students eligible for the State Need Grant program permanent.
The bill passed 78-17; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1669, replaces “educational opportunity gap” with “achievement gap” in the school code.
The bill passed 71-24; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
