(a) All owners/operators of underground storage tanks shall pay to the Department an annual per tank registration fee of $50 on or before February 1 of each calendar year. Registration fees not received by the Department by February 1 shall be subject to a late charge of $30. Payment shall be made in accordance with regulations established by the Department.
(b) Underground storage tanks owned or operated by the State, or counties or municipalities or agencies or subdivisions thereof, shall be exempt from payment of the registration fee defined in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Underground storage tanks owned or operated by the volunteer fire companies and ambulance companies within this State shall be exempt from payment of the registration fee defined in subsection (a) of this section.
(d) The tank registration fee established in subsection (a) of this section shall be used solely for the purpose of administering the Department's programs implementing this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) The tank registration fee shall be credited to a dedicated administration fund established in the accounts of the Treasurer. Any money remaining in such fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund, but shall remain in the dedicated administration fund. The fund shall be maintained in a separate account and shall be administered by the Department. An accounting of moneys received and disbursed shall be kept, and furnished upon request to the Governor or the General Assembly.