Assigned to NRAE                                                                                                                      FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2427

 

liquefied petroleum gas containers

 

Purpose

 

Restricts the filling and evacuation of a liquefied petroleum gas container to the owner of the tank or persons authorized by the owner.

 

Background

 

LP (liquefied petroleum) gas is commonly used in residential and commercial locations for space heating, cooking and water heating.  In urban and rural areas around the State where there are no natural gas lines due to lack of infrastructure or lack of accessibility, large tanks are filled with LP gas.

 

These containers are built according to specifications of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  These tanks are usually owned, filled and maintained by an LP gas marketer who is contracted by the customer to supply the LP gas.

 

Current statute does not address qualifications or ownership requirements for filling an LP gas tank.  Concerns have recently been expressed regarding liability when a container is filled by someone other than the tank owner and the filling is done incorrectly causing harm or damage. Under H.B. 2427, the filling and evacuation of LP gas containers is restricted to owners or persons authorized by the owners of the tanks.  A violation of this provision is a petty offense.  Small cylinders (propane tanks) commonly used for backyard barbecues and camping are exempt from this restriction.

 

There is no anticipated impact to the state general fund relating to the provisions of this bill.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Prohibits a person, other than the owner of an LP gas container or a person authorized in writing by the owner, from doing any of the following:

 

a)      Filling a container with LP gas, other gas or compound.

b)      Evacuating an LP gas container.

c)      Defacing, erasing, covering up or removing any name, mark, initial or devise on an LP gas container.

 

2.      Exempts small cylinders from the ownership requirements for filling an LP gas container.

 

3.      States that a person who violates the filling restriction for an LP gas container is guilty of a petty offense.

 

4.      Defines “cylinder” and “liquefied petroleum gas.”

 

5.      Makes technical changes.

 

6.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

House Action

 

EUT                 1/30/02            DPA    8-1-0-1-0

CED                2/4/02              DPA    8-0-0-2-0

3rd Read           3/27/02                        52-4-4-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 8, 2002