Zach Hall — Zach Hall introduced himself as the new Vice Chair and first-time committee member, then called up the panel and introduced the first panel witnesses.
Zach Hall — The Vice Chair is referenced as taking over the next portion of the meeting.
Zach Hall — Called on as Vice Chair Hall.
Zach Hall — Vice Chair Hall is called on as the committee moves to the next panel.
Zach Hall — Vice Chair Zach Hall is referenced as the person calling participants up and proceeding with the wildfire risk discussion/panel, serving in a procedural role to move the meeting agenda forward.
Zach Hall — Welcomed as 'Representative Hall.'
Zach Hall — The transcript appears to refer to the Vice Chair as 'Vice Chair Paul,' likely a transcription error for Vice Chair Hall.
Zach Hall — Transitioned the committee to the final two remote witnesses and noted time constraints.
David Hackney — Representative David Hackney was welcomed back to the committee.
Kerry Sessions, Department of Ecology — Kerry Sessions of the Department of Ecology introduced herself and provided an overview of Ecology’s update on MOTCA funding and cleanup processes. She explained that MOTCA establishes the state cleanup program and provides a framework for funding cleanup as well as other hazardous waste prevention and management programs. She then described the 2019 legislative changes that restructured MOTCA accounts and the hazardous substance tax, outlined how the MOTCA operating, capital, and stormwater accounts support Ecology and local communities, and explained the structure of the hazardous substance tax and how its revenue is distributed.
Garrett Ward, Department of Ecology — Garrett Ward of the Department of Ecology is introduced as a first-panel witness and the agency’s chief financial officer. He then testifies that forecasted HST revenues supporting the MOTCA operating account have declined significantly, while appropriations and transfers have outpaced revenue. Ward explains that the state will need to underspend current MOTCA operating appropriations by $22 million this biennium to balance the account, and he warns that there is no room for growth. He adds that the situation has been worsened by historic transfers out of the MOTCA accounts and notes that Ecology reviewed budgets after the June revenue forecast dropped sharply from the March forecast.
Ney Irwin, Department of Ecology — Ney Irwin of the Department of Ecology is introduced as a first-panel witness and identified as the program manager for the toxic cleanup program, accompanying Kerry Sessions.
Michael Felkamp — Noted as possibly available to answer questions.
Russ Olson, Pollution Liability Insurance Agency — Identified as a witness from the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency.
Mary Dye — Mary Dye is addressed as Ranking Member Dye in a continuous exchange.
Mary Dye — Mary Dye thanked Russ for his life's work and asked what the committee can continue doing to help make that work meaningful, after which she was acknowledged by the speaker.
Mary Dye — Representative Mary Dye asked follow-up questions about electrification in the district, including how many new electric vehicles have been taken into the area, how that relates to electrification goals, and how these issues intersect with wildfire risk.
Ney Irwin — Introduced themselves as manager of the Toxic Cleanup Program at the Department of Ecology and began the cleanup-program overview.
John Ley — John Ley questioned whether MOTCA’s reliance on fossil-fuel-related funding creates long-term budget problems as fossil fuel use declines, and suggested that Climate Commitment Act money might be used to offset the resulting loss in revenue.
Beth Doglio — Beth Doglio is addressed as Chair during introductions and opening remarks, and later is credited with helping advance the program through her bill and assistance.
Beth Doglio — Beth Doglio is addressed as Chair and credited with helping make the speaker's work meaningful; she is again directly thanked and addressed as Chair later in the same exchange.
Beth Doglio — Referred to as Madam Chair while acknowledging the presentation and questions.
Beth Doglio — Addressed as Chair Doglio by the witness.
Beth Doglio — Beth Doglio is mentioned in connection with her recent tour of the Port of Olympia, with the witness thanking her for visiting and acknowledging the tour as part of the discussion.
Beth Doglio — Beth Doglio is addressed as Chair in a brief transition into the wildfire risk discussion.
Beth Doglio — Addressed as 'Representative Doglio' in the transition to the next speaker.
Beth Doglio — The speaker repeatedly addresses Chair Beth Doglio in opening remarks, thanking and greeting the chair as the committee meeting begins.
Beth Doglio — Addressed by the witness at the start of testimony.
Sarah Sumadi — Introduced as a new person filling in for the House Democratic Caucus while Alec is on paternity leave.
Alec — Mentioned as being on paternity leave after having a baby; Sarah is filling in for him.
Russellson / Russ — Russellson (Russ) introduced himself as the director of the Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency and began describing his role and the agency’s evolution and program changes.
Ken Letterman — Ken Letterman introduces himself as a MACA practitioner at McCullough Hill and a former assistant attorney general for Ecology, then offers testimony on improving MOTCA. He urges a more collaborative process between regulators and the regulated community, citing a 2011 Brownfield report as a model. He recommends reassembling a broad stakeholder group—including lawyers, city and county representatives, tribal representatives, and affordable housing specialists—to help strengthen MOTCA as an effective tool for community revitalization.
Troy Bussey — Named as another practitioner being called up.
Troy Bussey — Troy Bussey introduced himself as speaking for himself and described his background as a licensed professional engineer and geologist with extensive environmental cleanup experience. He used several books to frame his critique of environmental cleanup regulation, arguing that the regulatory approach to MOTCA has become overly burdensome and ineffective. He said substantial time, money, and energy have been spent on MOTCA sites over decades, yet many sites remain stuck in the process and cleanup is slowing. Bussey criticized cleanup standards as overly protective and unrealistic, arguing that they often do not make common sense, shift contamination rather than eliminate it, and provide limited real benefit while imposing major trade-offs. He also said MOTCA can delay reuse of urban industrial properties for years and contribute to sprawl. He concluded by proposing that MOTCA be revised to focus on sites with actual unacceptable exposures, using more realistic, risk-based, and exposure-based cleanup decisions.
Ms. Irwin — Cited as someone who cannot magically fix the issues.
Mr. Olson — Cited as someone who cannot magically fix the issues.
Mark Klicker — Asked a question about the slide and the statewide site map.
Darcy Nautamaker — Darcy Nautamaker is introduced as a witness on the next panel from Washington Conservation Action, and she then identifies herself and her affiliation with Washington Conservation Action.
Polina Lopez — Named as a witness on the next panel, affiliated with the Duwamish River Community Coalition and presenting remotely.
Paulina Lopez — Paulina Lopez introduces herself as the executive director of the Duwamish River Community Coalition and explains that the organization was created to support cleanup efforts and ensure community voice in the process. She describes the Duwamish Valley as a heavily impacted area with mixed industrial and residential uses, where long-term pollution has created health risks for residents, wildlife, and people who fish in the river. She cites cumulative health and quality-of-life disparities in the neighborhood and argues that MOTCA funding is critical because it helps ensure polluters, not local communities, pay for cleanup. She credits the Department of Ecology and MOTCA for overseeing cleanup standards, shaping upland cleanup, and giving communities like South Park and Georgetown a formal role in planning. She concludes that public participation has helped the community obtain long-requested information and that MOTCA is crucial for identifying toxic pollution, funding cleanup, and supporting environmental justice communities that have been impacted the longest.
Carly Michaels — Carly Michaels, Environmental Policy Director for the Washington Public Ports Association, introduces WPPA and explains that it represents 75 public port districts across Washington. She provides background on the creation and evolution of ports, noting their role in maintaining public control of resources and supporting local economic needs such as tourism, broadband, workforce development, and environmental cleanup. She argues that ports are uniquely positioned to lead complex cleanup projects and have used MOTCA funds for large remediation efforts, including examples like the Port of Everett Norton Terminal. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of keeping the MOTCA account solvent and preserving funding for its intended purpose, citing that $84.4 million has gone to remedial action grants.
Eric Gerking — Named as available online from the Port of Everett to answer questions.
Penny Hughes — Named as available online from the Port of Bridgefield to answer questions.
Carl Schrader — Named as being with the Association of Washington Cities.
Carl Schrader — Carl Schrader testified on behalf of the Association of Washington Cities, noting that the organization represents 281 cities in Washington. He concluded his remarks by thanking the committee for the opportunity to speak and offering to answer any questions.
Matt Sterling — Committee staff member introduced to provide a roundup of recent wildfire-related legislation.
HB1522 — Described as requiring investor-owned electrical utilities to file wildfire mitigation plans with the UTC for approval or rejection within a set time.
HB1539 — Established the wildfire mitigation and resiliency standards work group to make recommendations to the legislature.
HB1842 — Authorized local governments and public utility districts to use captive insurance companies.
HB1842 — Described as allowing PUDs to form captive insurance policies; said to have passed unanimously.