Brief Description: Regulating liquified petroleum gas.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford and Prentice).

Hearing Date: 2/24/04

Staff: Pam Madson (786-7166).

Background:

A home-owner or a business may purchase propane for use in home appliances or for use in a business application. The propane is stored in a non-portable tank on the purchaser's property. The tank is owned by the propane company and leased to the purchaser.

Civil infractions are a more expeditious and less expensive method of disposing of minor offenses. Actions that constitute a civil infraction are punishable by a fine only. The maximum penalty for infractions varies depending on the violation for which an infraction is issued. There is a wide range of maximum monetary penalties. Money collected from payment of fines from infraction violations are typically shared between the jurisdiction processing the violation and the Public Safety and Education Account (PSEA) or may be otherwise distributed according to statutory direction.

Summary of Bill:

No person other than the owner of a liquified petroleum gas container, or a person authorized in writing by the owner, may: (a) fill or refill a liquified petroleum gas container with liquified petroleum gas or any other gas or compound; or (b) deface, erase, obliterate, cover up, or otherwise remove or conceal any name, mark, initial, or device on a liquified petroleum gas container.

This provision does not apply to cylinders. A cylinder is defined as a portable container that has less than 239 pounds of water capacity and that is capable of storing liquified petroleum gas.

A violation of these provisions is punishable by a fine of $1,000 payable to the county where the violation occurs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.