HCS HB 426 -- PROPANE SAFETY

SPONSOR:  Parson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 7 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Missouri Propane Safety Act.  In
its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Establishes the seven-member Missouri Propane Safety
Commission within the Department of Agriculture and specifies the
criteria for membership, term of office, and procedures for
removal from office;

(2)  Requires the commission to employ a director and allows the
commission to hire additional staff;

(3)  Authorizes the commission to regulate propane under
Chapter 323, RSMo, promulgate rules in accordance with
Section 323.020, and conduct hearings and regulate disputes
arising under the chapter;

(4)  Requires the commission to undertake various functions
including the development of propane safety plans, the receipt of
private and federal funds, and the general supervision and
representation of Missouri in all matters arising under
Chapter 323;

(5)  Authorizes the director to conduct investigations, subpoena
witnesses, require attendance at hearings, inspect premises, and
produce reports;

(6)  Specifies the criteria for establishing an initial fee for
the funding of inspections of propane installations and allows
the commission and director to change the fee structure as
specified in the substitute;

(7)  Allows the commission to establish fees for permits,
licenses, and certificates required by Chapter 323 and to change
the fee structure every two years;

(8)  Requires funds to be used solely for the enforcement of
Chapter 323 and prohibits the use of any funds for lobbying; and

(9)  Allows the director to impose specified civil penalties and
issue cease and desist orders.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will make propane
regulation much more effective by organizing a commission of
members from the industry.  Currently, there are only two
full-time employees in the state inspecting propane resources and
businesses.  The bill will make the industry safer and facilitate
inspections of propane businesses and workers by imposing an
initial assessment of no more than 1/10 of a cent per gallon on
the producers or wholesalers of propane.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parson; Missouri
Propane Gas Association; Keeven Heating and Cooling; and Glenn
Kolkmeyer.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am