SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1388
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Environment, Water & Energy, March 18, 2009
Title: An act relating to changing the date for setting the amount of pipeline safety fees.
Brief Description: Changing the date for setting the amount of pipeline safety fees.
Sponsors: House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacks, McCoy, Crouse and Morris; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/23/09, 96-0.
Committee Activity: Environment, Water & Energy: 3/13/09, 3/18/09 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, WATER & ENERGY |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rockefeller, Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Fraser, Hatfield, Holmquist, Marr, Morton and Ranker.
Staff: Sam Thompson (786-7413)
Background: The State Pipeline Safety Program, administered by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), is funded by federal grants and by pipeline safety fees that the UTC annually sets and assesses upon pipeline companies. Fee amounts depend upon annual federal grant funding levels. Current law requires the UTC to bill companies for fees before July 1 each year. Since the agency does not receive information regarding federal grant funding by that date, this billing is an estimate. The UTC sends final invoices to companies in September, after it receives pertinent grant funding information. It is suggested that UTC billing should be aligned with the federal grant determination to avoid the need for two rounds of billing.
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 A reference to a previously repealed section is deleted.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: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is an efficiency measure that eliminates the need for the UTC to bill pipeline companies twice.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Jacks, prime sponsor; Ann Soiza, UTC.