HCS SCS SB 100 -- TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE

SPONSOR:  Schaefer (Hobbs)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Infrastructure and Transportation Funding by a vote of 6 to 4.

This substitute 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 government shipments of radioactive
materials for military or national defense purposes 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 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 to the Governor's designee of a shipment by
the shipper must be made pursuant to existing regulations.
Failure to pay the fee or provide notice may result in a civil
action 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, for specified purposes including inspections,
escorts, security, emergency response, and oversight.  The fund
may retain $300,000 at the end of the fiscal year with any excess
being returned to shippers on a pro rata basis based on the
shipper's contribution to the fund for that fiscal year.

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 the fee program.

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

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Income on General Revenue Fund of $19,786
to $46,166 in FY 2010, $20,288 to $47,336 in FY 2011, and $20,801
to $49,086 in FY 2012.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY
2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Missouri does not charge a fee
on radioactive waste shipments, but all of the surrounding states
do charge fees.  As a result, the state has become a funnel for
cargo radioactive waste carriers.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Hobbs for Senator
Schaefer; and Brian Kelly, Brotherhood of Local Engineers.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the state
radiation dosage monitoring regulations are heavily enforced by
the federal government.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Railroad Association.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say Missouri is one of
only a few in the nation that does not charge similar fees for
radioactive waste shipments.  The fees will provide a dedicated
funding source to update training for local emergency responders
arriving at a radioactive waste accident.

Testifying on the bill was Department of Natural Resources.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am