2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0252
HB 113                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 113 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act extending the renewal period for oil discharge prevention                              
     and contingency plans; and providing for an effective date."                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Environmental Conservation                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18, 2003, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill extending the renewal period for oil discharge                                  
prevention and contingency plans under AS 46.04.030 and 46.04.055                                   
from three years to five years.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
AS 46.04.030 requires that all operators of oil terminals, pipelines,                               
exploration or production facilities, tank vessels, and oil barges have                             

2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0253
an approved oil discharge prevention and contingency plan in order to                               
operate.  AS 46.04.055 requires that operators of nontank vessels over                              
400 gross tons and railroad tank cars transporting oil also have an                                 
approved oil discharge prevention and contingency plan.  Current law                                
requires that these contingency plans be renewed every three years.                                 
                                                                                                    
In contrast, federal oil spill response plans are reviewed and renewed                              
every five years.  However, there is no requirement that state                                      
contingency plans match the federal renewal cycle.                                                  
                                                                                                    
A five-year renewal period will streamline the review for both the                                  
state and industry, while maintaining Alaska's strong oil spill                                     
prevention and response standards.  Focusing on the actual testing of                               
oil spill prevention and response readiness through in-the-field                                    
inspections, drills, and exercises is our most effective means of                                   
ensuring spill prevention and response readiness.                                                   
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"