Senators debate SB 22 amendments on water coordinating council membership, approve moving bill to third reading

Senator Finlayson presented SB 22, describing it as a statutory refinement of an existing interagency coordinating council for financing water infrastructure (safe drinking water, sewer financing and water resources). The bill enumerates members — including directors of water resources, water pollution control and safe drinking water — and the sponsor said committee hearings added the director of wildlife resources at the request of wildlife advocates.

Senator Holmgren expressed concern that listing another state official on the council creates a new layer of bureaucracy and questioned whether it was necessary when agencies already coordinate. Senator Steele, representing consulting engineering interests, defended statutory codification, saying the council reduced "shopping" among agencies and improved efficient use of limited state funds. Senator Peterson offered an amendment to broaden representation by substituting the director of natural resources for the wildlife director; debate followed and Senator Peterson moved to remove the wildlife director amendment (returning to original or modified membership), which carried by voice vote.

After further discussion about conservancy districts' role as applicants rather than committee members, the Senate agreed the coordinating role is to reduce duplication and increase efficient state dollars usage. A roll call reflected the committee and adopted amendments; the bill was placed on the third reading calendar with recorded votes (summary recorded in the journal).