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                                            ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 55

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives D. Nelson, Rust, Miller, Van Luven, Jacobsen, Nealey, Long, Sutherland, Valle, Gallagher, P. King and Unsoeld

Read first time 1/17/85 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to transportation of high-level radioactive waste; adding a new section to chapter 43.200 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.200 RCW to read as follows:

          The board shall undertake a study of the risks to the citizens of this state associated with the transportation of radioactive wastes by whatever mode into and through the state of Washington.  The study shall include an assessment of health and safety risks as well as economic risk associated with all possible transportation accidents.  Additionally, the study shall examine response to transportation accidents involving radioactive materials.  Responsible organizations shall be identified together with their response capabilities, and command authority prioritized from the moment of the accident until radioactive materials are removed from the scene of the accident.  Recommendations for improvement, where indicated, shall be made.  The study shall include recommendations for state and local authorities on alternative routes for transportation of radioactive materials which shall be developed in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 177, Appendix A.  Progress reports on the study shall be made at each meeting of the board.  The board shall set a completion date for the study to coincide with the need to establish state or local routing alternatives in accordance with the federal hazardous materials transportation act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.