SB 6273
In CommitteeSenate
Waste tire removal funds
Concerning accountability for waste tire removal funds.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires the Department of Ecology to make information about illegal tire dumps more transparent and to prioritize cleanup funding for communities with the worst tire pollution. It builds on a recent increase in the tire fee to $5 per tire and ensures the public can see how cleanup funds are used and where illegal tire piles are located.
- Requires the Department of Ecology to create and maintain a publicly accessible inventory of unauthorized tire piles on its website.
- Mandates that the Department prioritize funding for communities with the most severe waste tire problems when using money from the Waste Tire Removal Account.
- Requires the Department to publish on its website: (1) summaries of funded cleanup efforts, (2) lists of authorized tire storage sites and transporters, (3) annual tire recycling and reuse rates, and (4) the inventory of unauthorized tire piles.
- Specifies that for each unauthorized tire pile, the Department must include: location, how long it’s been there, estimated number or weight of tires, known health/environmental risks, and estimated cleanup timeline based on current funding.
Who is affected
- State and local governments — Local and state governments that remove illegal tire piles and may receive funding from the Waste Tire Removal Account.
- Residents of communities with illegal tire dumps — Residents and communities living near illegal tire dump sites, who may benefit from faster cleanup and improved public health and environmental conditions.
- Tire retailers and consumers — Tire retailers and consumers, who pay the $5 per tire fee that funds the cleanup program.
- Environmental and public health advocates — Environmental and public health advocates who rely on transparent data to track and address tire pollution.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
Mandating prioritization of cleanup funding for communities with the most severe waste tire problems directly benefits residents of historically underserved or environmentally burdened communities who face disproportionate health and safety risks from illegal dumps—such as increased fire risk, rodent infestations, and water contamination.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2), (3)(d)Requiring public, detailed reporting on unauthorized tire piles—including location, duration, quantity, health risks, and cleanup timelines—empowers residents and community groups to hold polluters and agencies accountable, enabling more effective grassroots advocacy and faster remediation.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(a)-(d)Publishing annual tire recycling and reuse rates improves transparency about program effectiveness and encourages continued investment in circular economy infrastructure, which benefits long-term environmental health and reduces future dump formation.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(c)Listing authorized tire storage sites and transporters on the website supports small- and mid-sized waste haulers and recyclers by increasing visibility and accountability in the supply chain, potentially leveling the playing field against larger, less-transparent operators.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1, Sec. 2(3)(b)
Potential Concerns (3)
Prioritizing cleanup funding for communities with the most severe tire problems may delay cleanup in other communities with moderate or emerging problems, potentially prolonging exposure to fire hazards, mosquito breeding, and chemical leaching in non-prioritized areas.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2), (3)(d)(v)The requirement to publish unauthorized tire pile data “to the extent the information is readily available and accessible to the department” creates a de facto exemption for incomplete or outdated data, potentially undermining transparency and public trust without requiring active monitoring or data collection.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(d)Requiring local governments to rely on the department’s estimated cleanup timelines—based on current appropriations—may create unrealistic expectations or public pressure if funding is insufficient or delayed, increasing administrative burden without guaranteeing timely resolution.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(d)(v)
Who Is Most Affected
Residents in communities with high concentrations of illegal tire dumps stand to gain significantly from faster cleanup, reduced fire risk, fewer disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes), and improved air and water quality. These are often low-income or rural communities with limited political leverage—making targeted prioritization especially impactful.
Local governments (counties, cities, fire districts) that currently bear cleanup costs or respond to tire-related emergencies will benefit from prioritized state funding, reducing strain on local budgets and emergency services. However, they may face pressure to respond to public inquiries about cleanup timelines without additional staffing.
Tire retailers and consumers pay the $5 fee but gain no direct financial return; however, they benefit indirectly from reduced environmental harm and public health risks in their communities. The transparency provisions may also reduce reputational risk for responsible retailers.
Environmental and public health advocates gain powerful new tools—real-time, geolocated data on illegal dumps—to target advocacy, support litigation, and inform policy. This strengthens their ability to hold polluters and agencies accountable.
Waste tire haulers, recyclers, and storage facilities may benefit from increased public scrutiny of authorized operators, which could reward compliant, ethical businesses and pressure unregulated actors to comply. However, small operators may face added administrative burden if demand for verification rises.