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House adopts standing committee reports; members debate bill removing discharge exemption for treatment plants
Summary
The House moved to adopt standing committee reports 1381–1405 and related measures; during consideration members debated a bill that would remove a statutory exemption allowing certain treatment plants to discharge water used to produce clean energy. Members spoke both in opposition and support; the motion to adopt carried by voice vote.
Representative Todd moved that the House adopt standing committee report numbers 1381 through 1405 and that accompanying house bills be placed on second reading or referred to designated committees. The motion was seconded and carried after floor discussion.
During consideration of the committee reports and related measures, several members debated a provision described on the floor as removing an exemption that had allowed treatment plants to discharge water when sewage was used to produce clean energy. Some members opposed the change, saying treated sewage or similar discharges into ocean waters would violate federal Clean Water Act standards. Others argued the draft removes a narrowly tailored exemption and does not make more significant changes to existing law.
Representative Lowen spoke in support and said, "The only change to existing law in this draft is removing an exemption that existed for allowing treatment plants to discharge water if they were utilizing sewage to produce clean energy." Other members rose in opposition and urged caution about the environmental implications. Representative Shimizu also registered opposition from the floor.
After debate, the House took voice votes on the measures and the motion to adopt the standing committee reports was carried. Members were reminded of the second lateral filing deadline for Senate bills and the clerk noted deadlines for committee chairs.
Actions recorded on the floor included the motion to adopt the listed standing committee reports and the chair’s administrative reminders about filing deadlines.
