HCS SS SCS SB 976 -- RADIOACTIVE WASTE

SPONSOR:  Gibbons (Robb)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute allows the Department of Natural Resources to
collect fees from any entity, except institutions of higher
education and the federal government, that ships radioactive
waste through or within the state.  Institutions of higher
education will reimburse the State Highway Patrol directly for
the costs incurred in transporting the waste.  The fees collected
will be deposited into the Environmental Radiation Monitoring
Fund and used to pay the administrative costs and other costs
associated with the safety and security of the waste shipments.
Advance notice of any transport must be given to the Governor's
designee or the department, depending on the type of waste.  The
department will submit a report on the activities of the fund to
the General Assembly by December 31, 2007, and every two years
thereafter.

Any shipper who fails to pay the assessed fees or provide notice
of a transport will be liable in a civil action for an amount not
to exceed 10 times the amount of the assessed fee.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2007,
FY 2008, and FY 2009.  Estimated Income on Other State Funds of
$19,309 to $44,421 in FY 2007, $19,522 to $45,547 in FY 2008, and
$20,016 to $46,707 in FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill establishes fees on
shipments of radioactive waste which are similar to those of
surrounding states.  The fees will be used to ensure the safe
transport of waste across the state.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Gibbons; Department of
Natural Resources; and Sierra Club.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:47 am