HB 2420-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Declares an intent to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the state of Washington and the quality of the state's environment by developing and implementing environmental and public safety measures applicable to persons transporting hazardous liquids and gas by pipeline within the state of Washington.

     Finds that public safety and the environment may best be protected by adopting standards that are equal to, or more stringent than, those adopted by the federal government.

     Transfers all powers, duties, and functions of the utilities and transportation commission pertaining to pipeline safety to the department of ecology.

     Creates a pipeline safety committee to advise the department, and other appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation, and maintenance.

     Requires that, in consultation with the emergency management program within the state military department, the department of ecology, and local emergency services organizations, the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her authorized deputy, shall:  (1) Evaluate the preparedness of local first responders in meeting emergency management demands under this act; and

     (2) conduct an assessment of the equipment needed by local first responders to meet emergency management demands related to pipelines.

     Directs the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her deputy, to develop curricula for training local first responders to deal with pipeline accidents.

     Directs the utilities and transportation commission to establish a single state-wide toll-free telephone number to be used for referring excavators to the appropriate one-call center.

     Provides that, whenever excavation work occurs within five feet of a hazardous liquid or gas pipeline, the one-call system shall be notified by the excavator at least two working days prior to the start of excavation.

     Provides that any person who fails to notify the one-call system of excavation work that is planned to occur within the right-of-way of a hazardous liquid pipeline is subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation.

     Repeals RCW 81.88.040.