Official Text and Analysis.

Prohibits a facility from unloading or loading crude oil with a vapor pressure greater than 9 pounds per square inch (psi). Prohibits a facility from storing crude oil with a vapor pressure greater than 9 psi.

Delays the effective date of section 2 of this act until July 1, 2020.

Provides that a railroad car carrying crude oil is not: (1) Prohibited from entering the state; (2) Required to stop before entering the state; or (3) Required to have the vapor pressure checked before entering the state.

Requires the department of ecology to seek a change in North Dakota law regarding vapor pressure of crude oil.

Makes the act contingent upon infrastructure and equipment availability in North Dakota for loading crude oil with a vapor pressure less than 9 psi.

Prohibits a facility from unloading or loading crude oil with a vapor pressure greater than 9 pounds per square inch (psi). ?Prohibits a facility from storing crude oil with a vapor pressure greater than 9 psi.

Removes the intent section. Provides that the prohibition on the loading and unloading of certain crude oil does not take effect until two years after the Department of Ecology (Ecology) provides notice that the volume of crude oil transported by rail during a calendar year has increased by more than 5 percent relative to the volume transported in 2018. Removes the prohibition related to the storage of certain crude oil. Requires the Department of Ecology to provide to the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) data reported by facilities on the characteristics, volatility, vapor pressure, and volume of crude oil transported by rail.

Removes the intent section. Provides that the prohibition on the loading and unloading of certain crude oil at a facility does not take effect until two years after the volume of crude oil transported by rail received by the facility during a calendar year has increased by more than 10 percent relative to the volume transported in 2018. Removes the prohibition related to the storage of certain crude oil. Requires the Department of Ecology to provide to the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) data reported by facilities on the characteristics, volatility, vapor pressure, and volume of crude oil transported by rail. Requires the UTC to incorporate into its annual work plan the data received from Ecology related to the transport of crude oil.

Provides that the act is null and void unless at least $2 million is provided in the 2019 Omnibus Appropriations Act for the purpose of covering litigation expenses associated with the implementation and enforcement of the act.

Requires the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to conduct a study related to the environmental impacts of any increased vessel traffic in Washington waters caused by a reduction in the quantity of crude oil delivered by rail in the state before Ecology may enforce the act's prohibition, and related civil penalty, on the loading and unloading of certain crude oil. Requires the study to be submitted to the Legislature by September 15, 2020.

Removes prohibition and associated civil penalty on the loading and unloading of certain crude oil into or from a rail tank car. Requires the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), in conjunction with the Department of Ecology (Ecology), to review the 2015 Literature Survey of Crude Oil Properties Relevant to Handling and Fire Safety in Transport and the 2018 Crude Oil Characterization Study, both prepared by Sandia national Laboratories. Requires the UTC, in conjunction with Ecology, to provide to the Legislature recommendations to implement safety modifications for the handling of crude oil. Requires that the recommendations be submitted by November 15, 2019. Removes requirement that certain facilities report the type and vapor pressure of crude oil received from a rail car. Removes requirement that Ecology report certain information to the UTC related to crude oil transported by rail. Removes requirement that the UTC incorporate certain crude oil data into the development of its annual work plan and inspection activity.