HB 1597 -- Transportation of Radioactive Waste

Sponsor:  Robb

This bill requires entities which ship specified types of
radioactive waste to be assessed a fee for the transportation of
waste through or within the state.  State-funded universities
will instead pay the State Highway Patrol for the actual cost to
escort shipments, and federal military and national defense
shipments of radioactive materials are exempt.

For truck shipments of radioactive waste, the cost will be $1,800
per cask with an additional surcharge of $25 per mile for each
mile over 200 miles that the truck travels in Missouri.  Rail
shipments of radioactive waste will cost $1,300 for the first
cask and $125 per cask for each additional cask.  Certain
low-level radioactive waste shipments will cost only $125 per
truck or train.  Fees must be collected by the Department of
Natural Resources prior to shipment, and notice of shipment by
the shipper must be made pursuant to existing regulations.
Failure to pay the fee or provide notice may result in a civil
lawsuit for an amount not to exceed 10 times the amount assessed
and not paid.

The revenue generated from the fees will be deposited into the
Environmental Radiation Monitoring Fund, administered by the
department, and may be used for inspection, monitoring, and
reimbursement purposes involving the costs of handling
radioactive waste.  The fund may retain $300,000 at the end of
the fiscal year with any excess being returned to shippers on a
prorated basis.

Beginning December 31, 2009, and every two years thereafter, the
department must submit a report to the General Assembly on the
costs and income derived from this fee program.

The provisions of the bill will expire six years from the
effective date.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm