Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Ecology Committee

SB 5121

Brief Description:  Correcting references to the former office of marine safety.

Sponsors:  By Senators Regala, Morton, Oke, Eide, Fraser and Jacobsen.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Corrects existing references in the RCW to the former Office of Marine Safety.

Hearing Date:  3/20/01

Staff:  Jason Callahan (786‑7117).

Background: 

In 1991, the Legislature created the Office of Marine Safety and assigned to it the responsibility for regulating oil tankers and other vessels for the purpose of preventing oil spills.  Authority for land-based oil facilities and spill response was assigned to the Department of Ecology (DOE).  In 1997, the responsibilities, authority, and personnel of the Office of Marine Safety was  consolidated into the DOE.

The consolidation abolished the Office of Marine Safety and the position of the administrator of the Office of Marine Safety.  However, the 1997 legislation did not remove all references to the administrator and Office of Marine Safety from the RCW.

Summary of Bill: 

Existing references in the RCW to the former Office of Marine Safety are removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.