Intent of pollution tax—Intent of model toxics control reform act.
(1) It is the intent of this chapter to impose a tax only once for each hazardous substance possessed in this state and to tax the first possession of all hazardous substances, including substances and products that the department of ecology determines to present a threat to human health or the environment. However, it is not intended to impose a tax on the first possession of small amounts of any hazardous substance (other than petroleum and pesticide products) that is first possessed by a retailer for the purpose of sale to ultimate consumers. This chapter is not intended to exempt any person from tax liability under any other law.
(2) It is the specific purpose of the model toxics control reform act (chapter 422, Laws of 2019) to update the model toxics control program and its primary funding mechanism. These reforms are intended to achieve the financial stability, transparency, and long-term protection of revenues. Specifically, this reform act makes the following changes:
(a) Increases funding for programs and projects related to clean air, clean water, toxic cleanup, and prevention, with specific focus on stormwater pollution;
(b) Provides distinct and transparent financial separation of capital and operating budget funding under the model toxics control program;
(c) Improves the transparency and visibility of operating and capital project expenditures under the model toxics control program; and
(d) Eliminates the year-to-year volatility of hazardous substance tax revenues by moving to a volumetric rate for petroleum products.
[ 2019 c 422 s 101; 1989 c 2 s 8 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]
NOTES:
Effective date—2019 c 422: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2019." [ 2019 c 422 s 419.]
Intent—2019 c 422: "It is the intent of the legislature that during the 2019-2021 biennium no transfers to the state general fund, education legacy trust account, or opportunities pathway account must be made from the state toxics control account, local toxics control account, environmental legacy stewardship account, model toxics control operating account, model toxics control capital account, or model toxics control stormwater account." [ 2019 c 422 s 1.]