03/26/1998 01:45 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 144                                                             
                                                                               
"An Act authorizing the Department of Environmental                            
Conservation to charge certain fees relating to                                
registration of pesticides and broadcast chemicals;                            
and providing for an effective date."                                          
                                                                               
Representative Grussendorf MOVED to adopt Amendment #7.                        
[Copy on File].  He noted that the amendment would remove                      
the repealer.  The industry as well as the municipalities                      
approve of this approach.  Co-Chair Therriault indicated                       
support for the amendment.  There being NO OBJECTION,                          
Amendment #7 was adopted.                                                      
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies requested that Amendment #13                          
replace the old Amendment #10.  [Copies on File].                              
Representative J. Davies MOVED to adopt new Amendment #10.                     
                                                                               
MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT,                           
commented that the amendment would change the definition of                    
"actual direct costs" which would move it toward the                           
average so that the Department would be able to establish                      
fixed fees.  Co-Chair Therriault suggested that an average                     
salary fee would be determined by classification of the                        
work.                                                                          
                                                                               
JANICE ADAIR, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH,                      
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, noted currently                      
that already occurs.                                                           
                                                                               
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #10 was adopted.                           
                                                                               
Ms. Adair spoke to the fiscal note.  She stated that the                       
Department was waiting to see the final version of the bill                    
before completing the note. She estimated the note would be                    
approximately $1.6 million dollars, and would change from                      
general fund program receipts to straight general funds.                       
The biggest change would be the exclusion of overhead and                      
other costs associated with service to capture fees.                           
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies asked who would benefit the most                      
from the reduction in fees.  Ms. Adair stated that the                         
largest switch would be to the seafood and sanitation                          
component.  Seafood processors and food service facilities                     
will see their fees change the most.  Additional changes                       
will be to the water Program.                                                  
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault stated that the bill would be HELD in                      
Committee until the fiscal note was completed.                                 
                                                                               
HB 144 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.