The State Fire Marshal may assess and collect from every pipeline operator an annual fee for the purpose of carrying out this chapter. The State Fire Marshal may assess this fee for expenses which will be incurred during the following year. A pipeline operator shall pay this fee when billed by the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal may impose a delinquency fee of 10 percent of the annual fee if the pipeline operator does not pay the fee within 60 days after receipt of the bill, and, in addition, the pipeline operator shall pay interest on that portion of its annual fee not paid within 60 days at the rate of 15 percent per annum from the date of receipt of the bill until paid. The total amount of the fee collected shall not exceed the actual expenses incurred, or the estimated expenses which will be incurred, by the State Fire Marshal in carrying out this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 995, Sec. 9.)