Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Technology, Energy & Communications Committee |
SSB 5451
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: Changing the date for setting the amount of pipeline safety fees.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy (originally sponsored by Senators Oemig, Ranker, Rockefeller, Honeyford and Fraser; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/16/09
Staff: Scott Richards (786-7156)
Background:
The State Pipeline Safety Program, administered by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), is funded by federal grants and fees charged to pipeline companies. The size of the federal grant determines how much companies are charged.
Current law requires the UTC to bill companies for fees before July 1 of each year. Since the agency does not receive information regarding federal grant funding until later in the summer, this billing is an estimate. The UTC sends final invoices to companies in September, after it receives pertinent grant funding information.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement for the UTC to set pipeline safety fees before July 1 each year is revised to provide that the UTC must set pipeline safety fees before a date it establishes by administrative rule. A reference to a previously repealed section is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.