Brief Description: Regulating liquified petroleum gas.

Sponsors: Representatives P. Sullivan, Crouse and Morris.

Hearing Date: 2/8/05

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

A business owner or homeowner may purchase propane for use in a business application or home appliance. The propane is stored in a non-portable tank on the purchaser's property. The business owner or homeowner owns the propane contained in the tank, but the tank itself is usually owned by the propane company and leased to the purchaser.

Civil infractions are a more expeditious and less expensive method of disposing of minor offenses. Actions that constitute a civil infraction are punishable by a fine only. The maximum penalty for infractions varies depending on type of violation for which an infraction is issued. The money collected from payment of fines for infractions is typically shared between the jurisdiction processing the violation and the Public Safety and Education Account, or the money may be otherwise distributed according to statute.

Summary of Bill:

No person other than the owner of a liquified petroleum gas container, or a person authorized in writing by the owner, may: (a) fill or refill a liquified petroleum gas container with liquified petroleum gas or any other gas or compound; or (b) deface, erase, obliterate, cover up, or otherwise remove or conceal any name, mark, initial, or device on a liquified petroleum gas container.

This provision does not apply to cylinders. A cylinder is defined as a portable container that has less than 239 pounds of water capacity and that is capable of storing liquified petroleum gas.

A violation of these provisions is punishable by a fine of $1,000 payable to the county in which the violation occurs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.