Senate committee approves bill letting LPG board suspend inspection fees on fiscal-year basis

Senate Bill 209, introduced by Senator Missy Irvin (District 24), passed the Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee by voice vote after committee discussion of how the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board would implement fee suspensions.

The bill removes the requirement that a fee suspension remain in effect until the board's fund balance falls below $500,000 and instead lets the board consider suspending inspection and registration fees year by year. "The thinking was is that we would put this into effect with the fiscal year," Kevin Falser, director of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, told the committee, saying the board would align suspensions to the July 1 fiscal year.

Falser told members the $500,000 threshold existed in older statute language and counsel recommended updating the statutory text. He said the board has been discussing ways to reduce burdens on industry while remaining fiscally responsible. Committee members were told the current fund balance is above $500,000. "Waiving fees would result in a net deduction of approximately $320,000 per year at the current time," a committee member said, citing staff estimates.

No members of the public signed up to speak. The committee conducted a voice vote; members responded "aye" and the chair declared SB209 passed. The transcript records a voice vote only; no roll-call tally was provided.

The measure gives the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board more discretion to manage fees and fund balances on a year-by-year basis; committee supporters said it reduces regulatory burdens on industry while allowing the board to restore fees if necessary.