HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1232

BYRepresentatives Rust, Hankins, Jesernig, Brooks, Jacobsen, Gallagher, May, R. Meyers, Miller, S. Wilson and Inslee

Amending the provisions for a surveillance fee for low-level radioactive waste disposal.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment. (13)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Brooks, Cooper, Gallagher, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, R. Meyers, Miller, H. Myers and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113) and Harry Reinert (786-7110)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES FEBRUARY 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1985 the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was directed to expand its activities to include environmental radiation monitoring, radiation public health programs (such as radon), and surveillance of the commercial low- level radioactive waste disposal operation.  Funding for these and other DSHS Radiation Control programs not otherwise covered by funding comes from a surveillance fee levied on each cubic foot of low-level radioactive waste disposed of in the state.  The fee may also be used to fund other state agencies with responsibility for control or management of low-level radioactive waste disposal.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The low-level radioactive waste disposal surveillance fee shall be used by the Department of Social and Health Services only for regulation of the disposal site and to pay the Washington State Patrol's costs for low-level radioactive waste shipment inspections.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment gives the department more discretion on how the surveillance fee will be spent than the original bill.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Barry Bede, U.S. Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is not appropriate to fund all radiation control activities of DSHS out of the surveillance fee.  In addition, the volume of waste has dropped recently, providing barely enough money to pay for the costs of regulating the disposal site.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.