SCS/SB 205 - This act provides that transporters shipping radioactive waste to be assessed a fee for any such waste transported through or within the state, the only exception being universities who ship nuclear waste which shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for costs associated with shipment escorts. The fee structure is described in the act and the Department of Natural Resources in coordination with the Departments of Health and Senior Services, and Public Safety may promulgate rules with regard to the collection and administration of such fees. Any shipper who fails to pay a fee or to provide notice of a shipment to the Department of Natural Resources shall be liable for a civil penalty of an amount not to exceed ten times the amount of the original fee assessed and not paid.
The fees assessed and collected under the act shall be deposited into the environmental radiation monitoring fund, which has been expanded with the act to accommodate the new fees in order to enforce the provisions of the act.
The act exempts radioactive waste being shipped by or for the federal government for military or national defense purposes from the provisions from the fees and notification requirements.
The act directs the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a report for the General Assembly beginning 2008 and every two years thereafter on the environmental radiation monitoring fund.
The act shall sunset six years after the effective date of the section unless reauthorized by the General Assembly.
The act contains an emergency clause.
STEPHEN WITTE