SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6087

As Passed Senate, June 5, 2003

Title: An act relating to transferring funds to the site closure account.

Brief Description: Transferring funds to the site closure account.

Sponsors: Senator Rossi.

Brief History:

First Special Session: Passed Senate: 6/5/03, 35-13.

Staff: Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background: The state leases 1000 acres of land from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) within the Hanford reservation as a low-level radioactive waste facility. The generators of the low-level radioactive waste deposited at the facility are members of the Northwest Interstate Compact. The source of the waste are non-energy and non-weapon activities, such as hospitals and universities. The Department of Ecology sublets the operation of the facility to a private operator. The department imposed and collected fees to defray the state's liability associated with the completion, closure and perpetual maintenance of the facility. These fees were deposited in the site closure account and the perpetual surveillance and maintenance account. The site closure account will reimburse the final closure and decommissioning of the facility. The perpetual surveillance and maintenance account assures funding for post closure maintenance of the facility.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature is authorized to transfer $13.8 million from the site closure account to the state general fund in the 2003-05 biennium. Beginning July 1, 2008, and each year thereafter until 2033, the State Treasurer is directed to transfer $966,000 from the perpetual surveillance and maintenance account to the site closure account. This transfer is dependent upon the U.S. DOE amending the contract with the state. If the U.S. DOE does not agree, the State Treasurer is directed to transfer from the state general fund on the same schedule to repay the site closure account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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