SB 1113 Summary

• Establishes a Connecticut Commercial Tank Insurance account within the General Fund with a maximum balance of $20 million to help owners of commercial underground petroleum storage tanks meet federal financial responsibility requirements under 42 USC 6991b.

• Imposes a fee of 42 cents per barrel of gasoline transferred by oil terminal facilities within Connecticut or transported into the state, payable monthly, and an annual fee of $150 per underground oil storage tank used in motor fuel marketing and distribution.

• Suspends the per-barrel gasoline fee when account balance reaches $20 million and reinstates it when balance drops to $10 million or below, with 15 days notice required.

• Allows property owners and others suffering damages from oil discharges from underground or above-ground storage facilities to file claims for compensation up to $200,000 per occurrence, with a two-year filing deadline after discovery of injury or damage.

• Establishes a disputed claims process using independent hearing examiners to resolve claims not agreed upon by claimants and the commissioner, with appeals available to Superior Court.