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House approves tighter rules and driver penalties for petroleum vapor recovery
Summary
HB 385, as amended, makes petroleum vapor recovery a matter of state law, places accountability on drivers who fail to recover vapors, and includes a carve-out to avoid requiring rural facilities to install equipment; the measure passed the House 72–1.
Representative Lisonbee moved an amendment and described HB 385 as a clean-air measure that addresses vapor recovery during fuel deliveries to underground tanks. He said the bill clarifies that when a facility lacks equipment to capture vapors, the driver would not be held liable. "So nowhere in here does it require anybody to install additional equipment," the sponsor said, adding the bill aims to raise accountability among drivers to protect health and safety.
The sponsor explained the vapor recovery system returns vapors to the delivery truck to be distilled at refineries; when vapor recovery is not used the vapors can become toxic at ground level and pose explosion hazards. Representative Arrant spoke in strong support, calling it a commonsense safety and air-quality measure.
An amendment (moved by Representative Eliason/Lisonbee in the record) was adopted to address rural facilities and clarify operator liability. After discussion and summation, the House passed HB 385, 72–1, and the bill was transmitted to the Senate.
