SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6546

BYSenators 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)

                  January 28, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, JANUARY 28, 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. Statutory references to using the fee for funding other agencies are deleted.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

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: Danny Bede, U.S. Ecology; Earl Ingersoll, Department of Social and Health Services - Office of Radiation Protection