If your city gets frequent odor complaints from users of city parks and other public spaces, this bill would provide a new avenue to address that complaint.

HB 1057, sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet (D–Seattle), proposes to extend the state Clean Air Act’s definition of “enjoyment of life and property” to public spaces. In doing so, a user of a public space could file an odor complaint to either the regional clean air agency or the Department of Ecology, depending on the county in which the odor is located. Traditionally, the “enjoyment of life and property” is understood to apply to one’s enjoyment of private property. The bill expands a person’s “use or enjoyment” to a public park, public recreational facility or trail, or publicly owned commons of any municipal government or state agency.

Date to remember

HB 1057 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Environment & Energy Committee at 8 am on Tuesday, January 12.