HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1815

                       As Passed House

                        March 8, 1993

Title:  An act relating to recodification of sections 604 through 607 of chapter 200, Laws of 1991.

Brief Description:  Recodifying vessel operation provisions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Rust and Valle.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, February 22, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 8, 1993, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Harry Reinert (786-7110).

Background:  As part of the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1991, the Legislature made reckless operation of a tank vessel and operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol a crime.  These criminal provisions were codified as part of the law governing pilotage.  The laws governing pilotage exclude from their coverage certain vessels that are under enrollment or United States or Canadian vessels engaged in the coasting trade.  These exemptions create a potential that a person operating a tank vessel or a vessel which is exempt from the pilotage provisions might also not be subject to the criminal penalties for reckless operation of a tank vessel or operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Summary of Bill:  The statutes establishing the crimes of reckless operation of a tank vessel and operation of a tank vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are recodified as part of the oil spill prevention and response statutes.

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.