HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSPORT - S.B. 729: FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 729 (as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor: Senator Loren Bennett

Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 111 (Hazardous Waste Management) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to replace existing provisions that govern the licensure of hazardous waste transporter businesses and vehicles transporting hazardous wastes. Under the bill, these persons and vehicles would have to comply with the "Hazardous Materials Transportation Act" (proposed by Senate Bill 554), which would impose registration and permitting requirements on motor carriers transporting hazardous materials. The bill would permit the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct inspections to verify that transporters' equipment, location, and methods were adequate to effectuate service under Part 111 and the rules promulgated under that part. The Department would be required to establish inspection standards and requirements.

The bill would take effect on July 1, 1998. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 554 and Senate Bill 731, which would allow the seizure and forfeiture of property involved in violations of Part 111 and Part 121 (Liquid Industrial Waste).

MCL 324.11104 et al. - Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would delete Section 11130, the hazardous waste transporter business license, which is estimated by the Department to reduce annual revenues to the State by $1.5 million.

The Department currently administers a Hazardous Waste Transporter program (MCL 324.11130) that includes a $1,000 business application fee and a $500 vehicle application fee. The revenue from this program is deposited into the Environmental Pollution Prevention Fund, which is estimated to have a $3.5 million balance. Approximately $1 million is appropriated annually to fund 57 FTEs in the hazardous waste program. The funds are used for hazardous waste emergency response and cleanup activities, and to provide match money for approximately $3 million in Federal funds.

Date Completed: 10-22-97 - Fiscal Analyst: G. Cutler

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.