HB 1446 -- BIODIESEL FUEL USE IN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
VEHICLES

SPONSOR:  Whorton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Agriculture Policy by a vote of 22 to 0.

Currently, at least 75% of the Department of Transportation's
diesel-powered vehicles and heavy equipment fleet are required to
use diesel fuel with a biodiesel fuel oil content of "B-20,"
which is defined as a blend of 20% by volume biodiesel fuel and
80% by volume petroleum-based diesel fuel, if it is commercially
available.  This bill allows by rule the Department of
Agriculture in consultation with the Department of Transportation
to exempt in whole or in part the Department of Transportation's
affected vehicles from the B-20 biodiesel fuel requirement.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides the Department
of Transportation the needed flexibility in the required use of
biodiesel in department vehicles.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Whorton.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that fuel purity and
climatic extremes have provided the department with vehicle
reliability problems.  A conditional waiver will alleviate these
problems until the industry develops remedies.

Others testifying on the bill were Agricultural and Small
Business Development Authority; and Missouri Soybean Association.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am