HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2399

                       As Passed House

                      February 12, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the geothermal account.

Brief Description:  Limiting transfers from the geothermal account.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives H. Sommers, Grant, Rayburn, May and Miller.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, January 21, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 12, 1992, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; May, Ranking Minority Member; Hochstatter, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Casada; Cooper; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; Miller; and Rayburn.

Staff:  Fred Adair (786-7113).

Background:  Last year the diversion of geothermal lease receipts from the common school construction fund into the geothermal account for geothermal development was continued from 1991 to 2001.  It was intended that if 30 or more megawatts of geothermal power became available before 2001, then the diversion drops to 80 percent of receipts.  The diversion still totally stops on June 30, 2001.

The reduction of the diversion associated with attaining 30 megawatts of geothermal power was not clearly understood from the language in last year's legislation.

Summary of Bill:  The provisions associated with attaining 30 megawatts of geothermal power before the year 2001 are clarified.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.