01/28/1994 03:45 PM Senate RES

 SENATOR MILLER announced  SJR 40  (URGE CONGRESS TO AMEND OIL                 
 POLLUTION LAW) to be up for consideration.  He noted there was a              
 proposed CS.                                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE said the Energy Council meeting in December passed             
 a policy relating to the financial responsibility requirements of             
 OPA '90 that were added at conference committee and never had a               
 public hearing at the congressional level.  Now, she explained that           
 anyone with a fuel tank is faced with the possibility of needing to           
 show that they have $150 million of liquid ability to cover any               
 release.                                                                      
                                                                               
 The Council contends that congress did not intend to have the $150            
 million apply to every entity near navigable waters.                          
                                                                               
 She explained that the CS added a section on page 2, lines 6 - 8.             
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt the proposed CS to SJR 40 (Res).                 
 There were no objections and it was so ordered.                               
                                                                               
 Number 155                                                                    
                                                                               
 GLENN GRAY, Division of Governmental Coordination, passed out a               
 summary of the administration's position on MMS on OPA '90                    
 financial responsibility requirements.  He said the highest risk of           
 oil pollution comes from vessels.  90% of oil entering the water              
 excluding natural causes is from vessels or is transportation                 
 related.  Requiring $150 million proof of financial responsibility            
 would be devastating if MMS is implemented, because it is                     
 interpreted to mean every facility that handles oil, oil products,            
 and wet lands which is over 50% of the state.                                 
                                                                               
 He supported the resolution.                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN moved to discharge CS to SJR 40 (Res) from committee            
 with individual recommendations.  There were no objections and it             
 was so ordered.