REFERENCE TITLE: uranium; radioactive materials; transportation

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

HB 2491

Introduced by Representatives Descheenie: Friese

 

AN ACT

 

amending title 28, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 31; relating to the transportation of materials.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Title 28, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 31, to read:

CHAPTER 31

TRANSPORTING URANIUM AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

ARTICLE 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

START_STATUTE28-9601.  Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1.  "Transport" means to move uranium or radioactive materials by road, rail or water routes.

2.  "Uranium" means natural ore that contains uranium minerals or isotopes.  END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE28-9602.  Department of environmental quality; monitoring; study

The department of transportation shall work in conjunction with the department of environmental quality to both:

1.  monitor uranium and radioactive materials transportation haul routes for leaks and spills of uranium or radioactive materials.

2.  study the proposed routes of a person that plans to transport uranium or radioactive materials along highways in this state to:

(a)  Find the best and most practical locations and costs associated with installing and operating air monitoring equipment where a person intends to transport uranium or radioactive materials.

(b)  Secure monies for water sampling if any body of water, either surface or subsurface, is impacted by transporting uranium or radioactive materials. END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE28-6903.  Public notice

A person that transports uranium or radioactive materials must notify the public at least one month before the planned transportation in a newspaper of general circulation in each county, city or town through or adjacent to the proposed transportation route.  the notification shall include information relating to the materials being transported, the amount of materials being transported, the number of vehicles transporting the materials and the potential contamination to land, air and water from regular radioactive emissions and from the accidental or excessive release of radioactive emissions if there is an accident. END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE28-6904.  Radioactivity release; requirements

If there is an accidental or excessive release of uranium or radioactive materials in this state, the department shall work cooperatively with the division of emergency management to minimize harm to the public. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Legislative findings and intent

The legislature finds that the inhalation of radioactive particles or exposure to radiation can result in human health problems.  The legislature seeks to reduce all harm to human health of living and future residents of this state by reducing unnecessary emissions from transporting uranium and radioactive materials.