SB 491 – Modifies civil penalties associated with violations of the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act and federally mandated natural gas safety standards

• Sponsor: Schatz
• LR Number: 1567S.02I
• Committee: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
• Last Action: 3/5/2015 - Second Read and Referred S Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee
• Journal Page: S515
• Effective Date: August 28, 2015

Current Bill Summary

SB 491 - Currently, any person who violates certain provisions of the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act is liable for a civil penalty of up to $10,000. Under this act, the civil penalty for such a violation is $50,000.

Currently, the maximum penalties for violations of federally mandated natural gas safety standards shall not be greater than $15,000 for each violation with a maximum penalty not to exceed $150,000 for multiple violations, with such penalties increasing every decade beginning in 2015. Under this act, the existing civil penalties are repealed, and the civil penalty for such violations shall not exceed an amount as determined by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation pursuant to federal law, which is currently not to exceed $100,000 for each violation for each day with a maximum penalty not to exceed $1,000,000 for any series of violations.

KAYLA CRIDER