HF 2951

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 03:37pm

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring legislative approval of certain water quality
standards and rules; suspending certain water quality standards and rules;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115.03, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115.03, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Legislative approval. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency must submit a water quality standard or other water quality rule change developed
under this chapter or chapter 116 to the legislature for approval if the standard or rule
change is estimated to have a financial impact to:
new text end

new text begin (1) affected permittees of $50,000,000 or more, in total, within the first five years of
implementation; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a single affected permittee of $5,000,000 or more within the first five years
of implementation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The standard or rule change submitted under paragraph (a) must be approved
by the legislature prior to implementation.
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

Sec. 2. new text begin SUSPENSION OF WATER QUALITY RULES.
new text end

new text begin Until the cost analysis of water quality standards is submitted to the legislature
as required under Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 4, article 4, section 135,
any water quality standard or other water quality rule change adopted on July 2, 2014,
requiring a local unit of government to upgrade or update its wastewater treatment facility
or to construct a new wastewater treatment facility is suspended and the rules as they were
prior to adoption of any amendments remain in effect.
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