A proposal to increase hazmat registration fees by $1,500 has been made by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), according to information published in the Federal Register May 5. The fee would be increased from $975 to $2,475.
In addition, a $25 administrative fee would be charged. The rule applies to "persons who transport, or offer for transportation, certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials," according to the information. The increase does not apply to hazmat registrants that qualify as a small business. The proposal (49 CFR Part 107), if it becomes a final rule, will apply to the registration year 2009-2010.
PHMSA said it is adjusting the fee solely for larger, for-profit businesses as the best approach to meet its objectives. "Although there are exceptions, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations generally offer for transportation or transport fewer and smaller hazardous materials shipments as compared to larger companies. Raising the registration fee only for other-than-small businesses rather than for all businesses correlates the fee structure to the level of risk associated with shipments offered for transportation and transported by larger companies."
The proposed fee increase is necessary to fund the national Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants program at approximately $28,000,000 in accordance with the Administration's Fiscal Year 2008 budget, according to the information.
Comments must be submitted to PHMSA by July 14, 2008. The proposal can be seen in its entirety in the Federal Register.