S-1055.3          _______________________________________________

 

                                 SENATE BILL 5627

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Senators Erwin, Johnson and Sellar.

 

Read first time February 12, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.Concerning motor fuel testing and enforcement.


     AN ACT Relating to motor fuel testing; amending 1990 c 298 s 31 (uncodified); creating new sections; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.      The director of agriculture currently maintains the discretion to enforce chapter 102, Laws of 1990, dealing with, among other things, falsely labeled motor fuel products.  The legislature finds that the department of agriculture maintains and continues to take motor fuel samples, but that expert analysis of these samples must be performed in order for the director to discern current compliance and the extent of enforcement necessary.  The department may hire an expert without an additional appropriation.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.      With funds appropriated in section 31, chapter 298, Laws of 1990, to implement chapter 102, Laws of 1990, the director of agriculture shall:

     (1) Employ a petroleum expert to do the following:  (a) Analyze existing and future motor fuel samples; (b) make recommendations concerning further areas and methods of appropriate testing; (c) discern compliance levels; (d) make recommendations concerning enforcement procedure; and (e) report to the director of agriculture concerning (a) through (d) of this subsection.

     (2) Based on the report in subsection (1) of this section, discern the existence of and prioritize classes of motor fuel labeling violations under the director's authority, and exercise enforcement powers accordingly.

     (3) Report findings and any recommendations for legislation to the legislature no later than January 1, 1992.

 

     Sec. 3.  1990 c 298 s 31 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

     FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

     $100,000 is appropriated from the motor vehicle fund solely for the motor fuel quality testing program provided for in Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1450.  If Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1450 is not enacted by June 30, 1990, the allocation provided for in this section shall lapse.  A portion of these funds may be used for the purposes set forth in section 2 of this act.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.      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 shall take effect immediately.