HB 1459 - DIGEST

Declares that, in section 5002 of the federal oil pollution act of 1990, the United States congress found that complacency on the part of industry and government was one of the contributing factors to the Exxon Valdez spill and, further, that one method to combat this complacency is to involve local citizens in the monitoring and oversight of oil spill plans. Moreover, congress concluded that, in addition to Alaska, a program of citizen monitoring and oversight should be established in other major crude oil terminals in the United States because recent oil spills indicate that the safe transportation of oil is a national problem.

Establishes in the office of the governor the oil spill monitoring and oversight council. The primary purpose of the council is to maintain the state's vigilance in the prevention of oil spills, while recognizing the importance of also improving preparedness and response.

Provides that, by December 1st of each year, the council shall make recommendations for the continuing improvement of the state's oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response through a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives.

Requires the director to prepare a response to the annual report within ninety days of its submittal to the governor and the legislature, including a description of recommended improvements the department will adopt and the reasons established for rejecting the adoption of or for significantly modifying any recommended improvement.