SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6546
BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Madsen, Bluechel, Owen, Stratton and Williams)
Specifying restriction on use of low-level radioactive waste surveillance fees.
Senate Committee on Energy and Utilities
Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1988; January 28, 1988
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6546 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Nelson, Stratton, Williams.
Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7455)
February 15, 1988
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1988
BACKGROUND:
The Office of Radiation Control within the Department of Social and Health Services collects a site surveillance fee as an added charge on each cubic foot of low level radioactive waste disposed in the state. The surveillance fee may not exceed four percent of the basic fee charged by an operator of a disposal site.
The fee is to be set at a level which completely funds the Radiation Control activities of the agency, except those which are funded by license fees. The fee may also provide funds for other state agencies which oversee any aspects of the disposal of low level radioactive waste.
Since certain Radiation Control activities are statewide in scope and not site specific, questions have been raised over the fairness of supporting the entire program by site surveillance fees.
SUMMARY:
The site surveillance fee collected by Radiation Control may only be used for activities directly related to the management, licensing, or regulation of the low level disposal site. The fee shall also provide funds for the State Patrol for costs incurred from inspection of waste shipments.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested January 25, 1988
Senate Committee - Testified: Barry Bede, U.S. Ecology (for); Earl Ingersoll, Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Radiation Protection