Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0271.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

H.B. 271

             1     

PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: David Ure

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Darin G. Peterson

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies requirements for participating in the petroleum storage tank
             11      environmental assurance program.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    requires owners and operators of underground petroleum storage tanks that elect to
             15      participate in the environmental assurance program to include all of their tanks
             16      under the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund;
             17          .    allows the executive secretary of the Board of Solid and Hazardous Waste to waive
             18      certain testing requirements;
             19          .    clarifies requirements for participation in the environmental assurance program by
             20      owners and operators who have previously elected not to participate; and
             21          .    makes technical corrections.
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2007.
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          19-6-410.5, as last amended by Chapter 45, Laws of Utah 2003
             29          19-6-428, as last amended by Chapter 95, Laws of Utah 1998
             30     
             31      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             32          Section 1. Section 19-6-410.5 is amended to read:
             33           19-6-410.5. Environmental assurance program -- Participant fee.
             34          (1) As used in this section:
             35          (a) "Cash balance" means cash plus investments and current accounts receivable minus
             36      current accounts payable [exclusive of], excluding the liabilities estimated by the state risk
             37      manager.
             38          (b) "Commission" means the State Tax Commission, as defined in Section 59-1-101 .
             39          (2) (a) There is created an Environmental Assurance Program.
             40          (b) The program shall provide to participating owners and operators, upon payment of
             41      the fee imposed under Subsection (4), assistance with [the costs of investigation, abatement,
             42      and corrective action regarding releases at facilities participating in the program, to the extent
             43      provided in Section 19-6-419 ] satisfying the financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR,
             44      Part 280, Subpart H by providing funds from the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund
             45      established in Section 19-6-409 , subject to the terms and conditions of Chapter 6, Part 4,
             46      Underground Storage Tank Act, and rules implemented under that part.
             47          (3) [Participation] (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), participation in the program is
             48      voluntary.
             49          (b) Each owner and operator seeking to satisfy financial responsibility requirements
             50      through the program shall use the program for all petroleum underground storage tanks that the
             51      owner or operator owns or operates.
             52          (4) (a) There is assessed an environmental assurance fee of 1/2 cent per gallon on the
             53      first sale or use of petroleum products in the state.
             54          [(5) Revenue] (b) The environmental assurance fee and any other revenue collected
             55      under this section shall be deposited in the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund created in
             56      Section 19-6-409 and used solely for the purposes listed in Section 19-6-409 .
             57          [(6)] (5) (a) The commission [is responsible for the collection of] shall collect the
             58      environmental assurance fee and any penalties and interest imposed under this section.


             59          (b) [The] By following the procedures and requirements of Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             60      Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission shall [by rule, in accordance with Title 63,
             61      Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,] make rules to establish:
             62          (i) the method of payment of the environmental assurance fee;
             63          (ii) the procedure for reimbursement or exemption of owners or operators who do not
             64      participate in the program, including owners and operators of above ground storage tanks; and
             65          (iii) the procedure for confirming with the department those owners and operators who
             66      qualify for reimbursement or exemption under Subsection [(6)] (5)(b)(ii).
             67          (c) The commission may retain an amount not to exceed 2.5% of fees collected under
             68      this section for the cost to it of rendering its services.
             69          [(7)] (6) (a) The person or entity responsible for payment of the fee under this section
             70      shall [pay the fee to the commission], by the last day of the month following the month in
             71      which the sale occurs[.]:
             72          (i) complete and submit the form prescribed by the commission; and
             73          (ii) pay the fee to the commission.
             74          [(8) The payment under this section shall be accompanied by the form prescribed by
             75      the commission.]
             76          [(9) (a)] (b) (i) The penalties and interest for failure to file the form [required under this
             77      section] or to pay the environmental assurance fee are the same as the penalties and interest
             78      under Sections 59-1-401 and 59-1-402 .
             79          [(b)] (ii) The commission shall deposit penalties and interest collected under this
             80      section in the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund.
             81          [(10)] (c) The commission shall report to the department any person or entity who is
             82      delinquent in payment of the fee under this section.
             83          [(11) (a)] (7) (a) (i) If the cash balance of the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund on
             84      June 30 of any year exceeds $20,000,000, the assessment of the environmental assurance fee as
             85      provided in Subsection (4) [shall be] is reduced to 1/4 cent per gallon beginning November 1
             86      [and the].
             87          (ii) The reduction shall remain in effect until modified by the Legislature in a general
             88      or special session.
             89          (b) The commission [is responsible for determining each year] shall determine the cash


             90      balance of the fund each year as of June 30.
             91          (c) Before September 1 of each year, the department shall provide the commission with
             92      the accounts payable of the fund as of June 30.
             93          Section 2. Section 19-6-428 is amended to read:
             94           19-6-428. Eligibility for participation in the fund.
             95          (1) [All] Subject to the requirements of Section 19-6-410.5 , all owners and operators of
             96      existing petroleum storage tanks that [are] were covered by the fund on May 5, 1997, may elect
             97      to continue to participate in the program by meeting the requirements of this part, including
             98      paying the tank fees and environmental assurance fee as provided in Sections 19-6-410.5 and
             99      19-6-411 .
             100          (2) Any new petroleum storage tanks that were installed after May 5, 1997, or tanks
             101      eligible under Section 19-6-415 , may elect to participate in the program by complying with the
             102      requirements of this part.
             103          (3) (a) All owners and operators of petroleum storage tanks who elect to not participate
             104      in the program, including by the use of an alternative financial assurance mechanism, shall
             105      [comply with the following requirements], in order to subsequently participate in the program:
             106          [(a)] (i) perform a tank tightness test [and];
             107          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), perform a site check, including soil and,
             108      when applicable, groundwater samples, to demonstrate that no release of petroleum exists or
             109      that there has been adequate remediation of releases as required by board rules; [and]
             110          (iii) provide the required tests and samples to the executive secretary; and
             111          [(b)] (iv) comply with the requirements of this part.
             112          (b) A site check under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) is not required if the executive secretary
             113      determines, with reasonable cause, that soil and groundwater samples are unnecessary to
             114      establish that no petroleum has been released.
             115          (4) The executive secretary shall review the tests and samples provided under
             116      Subsection (3)(a)(iii) to determine:
             117          (a) whether or not any release of the petroleum has occurred; or
             118          (b) if the remediation is adequate.
             119          Section 3. Effective date.
             120          This bill takes effect on January 1, 2007.






Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-16-06 9:54 AM


Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]