HB 2053

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 2053

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Providing for improved availability of motor vehicle fuel during power outages or interruptions in electrical service.

Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Springer, O'Brien, Dunshee, Eddy, Blake, Lovick, Upthegrove, Green, Simpson and Hurst.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires motor fuel retail outlets to purchase and install equipment that provides an alternative means of generating electric power for purposes of operating fuel pumps and payment acceptance equipment.

Establishes a tax credit for motor fuel retail outlets that purchase and install the equipment.

Hearing Date: 2/14/07

Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).

Background:

Availability of motor fuel is often extremely limited during a prolonged electrical power outage. During the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Florida experienced severe shortages of motor fuel and emergency supplies. In an effort to improve that state's disaster preparedness, Florida enacted the "Disaster Motor Fuel Supplier Program." This program allows motor fuel retail outlets to participate in a network of emergency responders to provide fuel supplies and services to government, medical, critical infrastructure and other responders, as well as the general public in a disaster.

Summary of Bill:

Motor fuel retail outlets must purchase and install equipment that provides an alternative means of generating electric power for purposes of operating all fuel pumps and payment acceptance equipment in the event of an electric power outage or interruption in electric services. Motor fuel retail outlets are defined as facilities that sell, at retail, motor fuel to the general public. The equipment must be fully operational at all times and capable of functioning immediately in the event of an electric power outage.

Installation of the equipment must be performed by a certified electrical contractor and proof of installation must be available upon request. A motor fuel retail outlet that fails to purchase and install the necessary equipment will be subject to a civil penalty of $100 a day, enforced by the Washington State Patrol.

Motor fuel retail outlets must comply:

As of the effective date of this act if the motor fuel retail outlet is newly constructed and has a valid certificate of occupancy that was issued on or after the effective date of this act; or
As of December 1, 2008, if the motor fuel retail outlet has a valid certificate of occupancy and operation issued before the effective date of this act and had a minimum monthly average motor fuel sales volume of 125,000 gallons for any six-month period in the two years before the effective date of this act.

A tax credit of 50 percent of the cost of purchase and installation of the equipment or $15,000, whichever is less, is available for motor fuel retail outlets.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2007.

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