(1) Notwithstanding the totals established in ORS § 459.236, the Environmental Quality Commission by rule may increase the total amount to be collected annually as a fee and deposited into the Orphan Site Account under ORS § 459.236. The commission shall approve an increase if the commission determines:

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(a) Existing fees being deposited into the Orphan Site Account are not sufficient to pay debt service on bonds sold to pay for removal or remedial actions at sites where the Department of Environmental Quality determines the responsible party is unknown or is unwilling or unable to undertake all required removal or remedial action; or

(b) Revenues from the sale of bonds cannot be used to pay for activities related to removal or remedial action, and existing fees being deposited into the Orphan Site Account are not sufficient to pay for these activities.

(2) The increased amount approved by the commission under subsection (1) of this section:

(a) Shall be no greater than the amount needed to pay anticipated costs specifically identified by the Department of Environmental Quality at sites where the department determines the responsible party is unknown, unwilling or unable to undertake all required removal or remedial action; and

(b) Shall be subject to prior approval by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and shall be within the budget authorized by the Legislative Assembly as that budget may be modified by the Emergency Board during the interim period between sessions. [1993 c.707 § 7 (enacted in lieu of 465.385); 1999 c.534 § 2; 2007 c.71 § 146; 2023 c.602 § 12]

[1989 c.833 133,172; repealed by 1993 c.707 § 8 (465.391 enacted in lieu of 465.390)]