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Senate approves substitute bill to fund used-oil collection and reimburse centers
Summary
Senators passed substitute SB 12 to require a small per-quart fee on retail oil containers to finance collection centers and reimburse transporters; a friendly amendment exempted certain 5-gallon mining containers. Sponsors estimate the fee would raise about $376,000 for a restricted fund to expand collection infrastructure.
Senators debated and approved a substitute version of SB 12, a measure to create a program for managing used motor oil. The sponsor told the chamber the bill would charge 4 cents per quart on retail containers under 55 gallons to generate an estimated $376,000 and deposit the money into a restricted fund to provide reimbursements and incentives for collection centers and transporters.
The substitute shifts administration from Oil, Gas and Mining to the Department of Environmental Quality and requests a $43,000 transfer previously spent by Oil, Gas and Mining to maintain program continuity. Sponsor materials and fiscal note were discussed on the floor; senators emphasized incentives and an 800-number to help the public locate nearby collection sites.
Senator Dimitri declared a conflict of interest as an employee of an underground mining operation and proposed a friendly amendment exempting oil purchased in 5-gallon or smaller containers used solely in underground mining operations, explaining those operations cannot transport 55-gallon drums underground. The Senate agreed and adopted the amendment.
Sponsor described implementation details: collection centers, aggregation points, potential rerefining or reuse, and outreach to expand collection locations including fire stations and other municipal sites. A roll-call tally was announced after the question was called: the clerk stated "Substitute Senate Bill 12 shows 27 ayes, no nays, 2 absent" and placed the bill on the third-reading calendar.
Next steps: SB 12 will proceed to third reading for final passage and implementation planning by the designated state agency.
