HCR 1 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 121
(By Delegates Manypenny, Perdue, Hatfield, Eldridge, Lawrence, Marshall, Perry, Poling, Rodigherio, Spencer, Staggers, Susman, Border, C. Miller, J. Miller and Rowan)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported March 10, 2010]

Requesting the Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on establishing a pharmaceutical disposal pilot program.

W HEREAS , West Virginia's water resources is one of its most precious commodities; and
WHEREAS, For years, consumers were advised that wastewater sewage disposal was the safest way of disposing unwanted medicines - However, several studies have revealed the presence of hundreds of low-level drug and personal care product residues in waterways throughout the country.
W HEREAS , These byproducts can include: birth control pills, estrogen replacement drugs, ibuprofen, mood stabilizers and antibiotics; and
W HEREAS , Many of these drugs discovered can act as endocrine disruptors, compounds that mimic or interfere with human hormones, while other waste materials contribute to antibiotic resistance; and
W HEREAS , Scientists are examining endocrine disruptors as a possible cause of "intersex" fish (male fish that are producing eggs), which researchers have documented in streams in the Eastern Panhandle streams and other streams; and
W HEREAS , Sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove those types of substances, thus causing them to go back into the water supply; and
W HEREAS , Many cities cannot afford the charcoal filters required to screen out the final traces of these byproducts from drinking water; and
W HEREAS , It is the intent of the Legislature to improve our water systems, while also improving the ecological and aquatic life in our streams and rivers; and
WHEREAS, Hazardous waste disposal events have been held in the State to work with the public on the proper disposal of hazardous materials to help address this growing problem; and
WHEREAS, These events have proven to be successful yet costly to operate - $15,000 to $40,000 per event; and
W HEREAS , Organizations involved in these types of events include, but are not limited to: Friends of Cacapon River; West Virginia Rivers Coalition; Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment; Cacapon Institute; Potomac Headwaters RC&D; Division of Environmental Protection; Division of Natural Resources; Division of Forestry; West Virginia Conservation Agency and the Department of Agriculture; and
W HEREAS , There is a need to develop a safe and efficient method of collecting and disposing of pharmaceuticals; and
W HEREAS , The Legislature desires to encourage Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Industries, Division of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Division of Environmental Protection, Counties, Municipalities and other entities to establish a better method of waste materials; and
W HEREAS , It is the intent of the Legislature to lend support to these disposal programs by working with the aforementioned groups and develop ways and means to promote clean water and wastewater systems in the state; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study on establishing a pharmaceutical disposal pilot program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

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