HCS HB 429 -- NATURAL GAS SAFETY

SPONSOR:  Emery (Jones, 117)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Utilities by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute requires persons, corporations, public utilities,
and municipalities that own gas plants to comply with any order
of the Missouri Public Service Commission that relates to federal
natural gas safety standards.  Noncompliance with a commission's
order is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000 for each
violation or a maximum fine of $100,000 for a single continuing
violation.  The commission has discretion to lower the maximum
fines based on factors specified in the substitute.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2008,
FY 2009, and FY 2010.  Estimated Income on Other State Funds of
$0 to Unknown in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supports say that the bill will prevent gas
explosions and other safety hazards by increasing penalties that
have remained unchanged since 1918.  The bill is necessary and
long overdue.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Jones (117); and Jeff
Davis, Missouri Public Service Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that it will bring
Missouri into compliance with federal standards.  There is no gas
safety issue addressed in the bill, and safety is always the
primary concern of the gas industry.

Testifying on the bill were Laclede Gas Company; and Missouri
Energy Development Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am