HOUSE BILL NO. 164

INTRODUCED BY OHS K

BY REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT INCREASING THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE ASSESSED ON UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS 1,100 GALLONS OR LESS; PROVIDING FOR PRORATION OF THE FEE; SUBMITTING THE FEE INCREASE TO THE ELECTORATE; PROVIDING A CONTINGENT VOIDNESS PROVISION; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Underground storage tanks -- annual fee. (1) The department shall assess an annual registration fee of $40 per tank on underground storage tanks 1,100 gallons or less to defray the state and local costs of implementing an underground storage tank program.

(2) The department may prorate fees to cover periods not equal to 12 months in order to provide staggered scheduling of renewal dates.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Submission to electorate. This act shall be submitted to the qualified electors of Montana at the tax election to be held in 1999 by printing on the ballot the full title of this act and the following:

SHALL THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK REGISTRATION FEE FOR TANKS 1,100 GALLONS OR LESS BE INCREASED ANNUALLY BY $20 IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER?

[]	FOR increasing the annual registration fee for underground storage tanks 1,100 gallons or less from $20 per year to $40 per year.

[]	AGAINST increasing the annual registration fee for underground storage tanks 1,100 gallons or less from $20 per year to $40 per year.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Contingent voidness. If Constitutional Initiative No. 75, enacting Article VIII, section 17 of the Montana constitution, is declared invalid, then this act is void.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective upon approval by the electorate.

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