This bill proposes to increase the reimbursement caps from the oil discharge and disposal cleanup fund for owners of on-premise-use facilities who demonstrate financial need. Specifically, the reimbursement for costs to meet local and department operating standards will rise from $3,300 to $4,000, while the reimbursement for underground storage tank abandonment or removal costs will increase from $2,500 to $4,500. Additionally, the bill changes the deadline for the annual report on the status of the cleanup fund from October 1 to March 1.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the licensing fees for importing oil into the state, reducing fees for certain categories while increasing others. For example, the fee for on-road and off-road gasoline and diesel fuel will decrease from $0.01625 to $0.01546 per gallon, while the fee for fuel oil and diesel products will increase from $0.01375 to $0.02715 per gallon. The bill also reauthorizes the collection of oil import fees, which are projected to generate approximately $17 million annually, with a slight decrease in FY 2026 followed by increases in subsequent years. Overall, the bill aims to enhance financial support for facility owners while adjusting the fee structure for oil imports to ensure adequate funding for the cleanup efforts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 146-D:5, 146-D:6, 146-A:11-b
As Amended by the Senate: 146-D:5, 146-D:6, 146-A:11-b
Version adopted by both bodies: 146-D:5, 146-D:6, 146-A:11-b
HB658 text: 146-D:5, 146-D:6, 146-A:11-b