HF 3378

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/12/2020 03:55pm

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring Pollution Control Agency to hold a public
hearing under certain circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section
115.071, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 115.071, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Public informational hearing. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, before finalizing a
stipulation agreement or consent decree with a facility in which the agency is seeking a
settlement amount greater than $25,000, must hold a public informational meeting at a
convenient time at a location near the facility to:
new text end

new text begin (1) notwithstanding section 13.39, subdivision 2, describe the amount, frequency,
duration, and chemical nature of the pollution released or emitted by the facility and the
risks to public health and the environment from that exposure; and
new text end

new text begin (2) allow members of the public, including those persons potentially exposed to pollution
released or emitted from the facility, to make the agency aware of:
new text end

new text begin (i) interactions between the facility and the public regarding the facility's operations;
new text end

new text begin (ii) operational problems or incidents occurring at the facility; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) suggestions as to supplemental environmental projects that the public may prefer
as part of a stipulation agreement or consent decree between the facility and the agency.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "supplemental environmental project" means a
project that benefits the environment or public health that a regulated facility agrees to
undertake as part of a settlement with respect to an enforcement action taken by the agency
to resolve noncompliance.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end