SF 900

1st Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to environment; amending provisions 
  1.3             regulating toxics in packaging; regulating contents of 
  1.4             certain products; establishing an advisory council; 
  1.5             amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 115A.965, 
  1.6             subdivisions 3, 7, and by adding a subdivision; and 
  1.7             115A.9651; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 
  1.8             115A.965, subdivision 6. 
  1.9   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.10     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 115A.965, 
  1.11  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  1.12     Subd. 3.  [EXEMPTIONS.] (a) Until January 1, 2000, the 
  1.13  following packaging is exempt from the requirements of 
  1.14  subdivisions 1 and 2: 
  1.15     (1) packaging that would not exceed the total toxics 
  1.16  concentration levels under subdivision 2 but for the addition in 
  1.17  the packaging of materials that have fulfilled their intended 
  1.18  use and have been discarded by consumers; and 
  1.19     (2) packages that are reused but exceed the total toxics 
  1.20  concentration levels in subdivision 2, provided that:  
  1.21     (i) the product being conveyed by the package is regulated 
  1.22  under federal or state health or safety requirements; 
  1.23     (ii) transportation of the packaged product is regulated 
  1.24  under federal or state transportation requirements; and 
  1.25     (iii) disposal of the package is performed according to 
  1.26  federal or state radioactive or hazardous waste disposal 
  1.27  requirements. 
  2.1      (b) Until January 1, 2000, packages that have a controlled 
  2.2   distribution and reuse, but exceed the total toxics 
  2.3   concentration levels in subdivision 2 and do not meet the 
  2.4   requirements of paragraph (a), may be exempted from subdivisions 
  2.5   1 and 2 if the manufacturers or distributors of the packages 
  2.6   petition for and receive approval from the commissioner.  In 
  2.7   granting approval, the commissioner shall work with the 
  2.8   Coalition of Northeastern Governors Toxics in Packaging 
  2.9   Clearinghouse and base the decision on satisfactory 
  2.10  demonstrations that the environmental benefit of the controlled 
  2.11  distribution and reuse is significantly greater compared to the 
  2.12  same package manufactured in compliance with the total toxics 
  2.13  concentration levels in subdivision 2, and on plans proposed by 
  2.14  the manufacturer that include each of the following elements: 
  2.15     (1) a means of identifying the packaging in a permanent and 
  2.16  visible manner; 
  2.17     (2) a method of regulatory and financial accountability so 
  2.18  that a specified percentage of the packaging manufactured and 
  2.19  distributed to other persons is not discarded by those persons 
  2.20  after use but are returned to the manufacturer or the 
  2.21  manufacturer's designee; 
  2.22     (3) a system of inventory and record maintenance to account 
  2.23  for the packaging placed in, and removed from, service; 
  2.24     (4) a means of transforming packaging that is no longer 
  2.25  reusable into recycled materials for manufacturing or into 
  2.26  manufacturing wastes which are subject to existing federal or 
  2.27  state laws or regulations governing such manufacturing wastes 
  2.28  that ensure that these wastes do not enter the industrial or 
  2.29  mixed municipal solid waste stream; and 
  2.30     (5) a system of annually reporting to the commissioner 
  2.31  changes to the system and changes in designees. 
  2.32     (c) Packaging to which lead, cadmium, mercury, or 
  2.33  hexavalent chromium has been intentionally introduced in the 
  2.34  manufacturing process may be exempted from the requirements of 
  2.35  subdivisions 1 and 2 by the commissioner of the pollution 
  2.36  control agency if: 
  3.1      (1) the use of the toxic element in the packaging is 
  3.2   required by federal or state health or safety laws; or 
  3.3      (2) there is no feasible alternative for the packaging 
  3.4   because the toxic element used is essential to the protection, 
  3.5   safe handling, or function of the contents of the package.  
  3.6      The commissioner may grant an exemption under this 
  3.7   paragraph for a period not to exceed two years upon application 
  3.8   by the packaging manufacturer that includes documentation 
  3.9   showing that the criteria for an exemption are met.  Exemptions 
  3.10  granted by the commissioner may be renewed upon reapplication 
  3.11  every two years. 
  3.12     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 115A.965, is 
  3.13  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  3.14     Subd. 6a.  [IMPLEMENTATION.] In the interests of promoting 
  3.15  consistent, nationally applicable standards, the commissioner 
  3.16  shall have discretion to coordinate efforts under this section 
  3.17  with similar efforts in other jurisdictions. 
  3.18     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 115A.965, 
  3.19  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  3.20     Subd. 7.  [REPORT.] By September 1 of each odd-numbered 
  3.21  year, the commissioner shall prepare and submit to the 
  3.22  environment and natural resources committees of the senate and 
  3.23  house of representatives, the finance division of the senate 
  3.24  committee on environment and natural resources, and the house of 
  3.25  representatives committee on environment and natural resources 
  3.26  finance a report to include: 
  3.27     (1) enforcement actions taken by the commissioner under 
  3.28  this section for the reporting period; and 
  3.29     (2) issues and disputes that have arisen under this 
  3.30  section, the recommendations made by the Toxics in Packaging 
  3.31  Clearinghouse for resolution of those issues and disputes, and 
  3.32  how those issues and disputes were finally resolved by the 
  3.33  commissioner. for each exemption granted, the identity of the 
  3.34  party requesting the exemption, a brief description of the 
  3.35  packaging, and the basis for granting the exemption. 
  3.36     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 115A.9651, is 
  4.1   amended to read: 
  4.2      115A.9651 [TOXICS LISTED METALS IN SPECIFIED PRODUCTS; 
  4.3   ENFORCEMENT.] 
  4.4      Subdivision 1.  [PROHIBITION.] (a) Except as provided in 
  4.5   paragraphs (d) and (e), no person may distribute for sale or use 
  4.6   in this state any ink, dye, pigment, paint, or fungicide 
  4.7   manufactured after September 1, 1994, into which lead, cadmium, 
  4.8   mercury, or hexavalent chromium has been intentionally 
  4.9   introduced.  
  4.10     (b) For the purposes of this subdivision, "intentionally 
  4.11  introduce" means to deliberately use a metal listed in paragraph 
  4.12  (a) as an element during manufacture or distribution of an item 
  4.13  listed in paragraph (a).  Intentional introduction does not 
  4.14  include the incidental presence of any of the prohibited 
  4.15  elements. 
  4.16     (c) The concentration of a listed metal in an item listed 
  4.17  in paragraph (a) may not exceed 100 parts per million. 
  4.18     (d) The prohibition on the use of lead in substances 
  4.19  utilized in marking road, street, highway, and bridge pavements 
  4.20  does not take effect until July 1, 1998. 
  4.21     (e) The use of lead in substances utilized in marking road, 
  4.22  street, highway, and bridge pavements is exempt from this 
  4.23  subdivision until July 1, 1998. After July 1, 1998, no person 
  4.24  may distribute a listed product for sale or use in this state. 
  4.25     Subd. 2.  [TEMPORARY EXEMPTION.] (a) An item listed in 
  4.26  subdivision 1 is exempt from this section until July 1, 1998, if 
  4.27  the manufacturer of the item submitted to the commissioner a 
  4.28  written request for an exemption by August 1, 1994.  The request 
  4.29  must include at least: 
  4.30     (1) an explanation of why compliance is not technically 
  4.31  feasible at the time of the request; 
  4.32     (2) how the manufacturer will comply by July 1, 1997; and 
  4.33     (3) the name, address, and telephone number of a person the 
  4.34  commissioner can contact for further information. 
  4.35     (b) By September 1, 1994, a person who uses an item listed 
  4.36  in subdivision 1, into which one of the listed metals has been 
  5.1   intentionally introduced, may submit, on behalf of the 
  5.2   manufacturer, a request for temporary exemption only if the 
  5.3   manufacturer fails to submit an exemption request as provided in 
  5.4   paragraph (a).  The request must include: 
  5.5      (1) an explanation of why the person must continue to use 
  5.6   the item and a discussion of potential alternatives; 
  5.7      (2) an explanation of why it is not technically feasible at 
  5.8   the time of the request to formulate or manufacture the item 
  5.9   without intentionally introducing a listed metal; 
  5.10     (3) that the person will seek alternatives to using the 
  5.11  item by July 1, 1997, if it still contains an intentionally 
  5.12  introduced listed metal; and 
  5.13     (4) the name, address, and telephone number of a person the 
  5.14  commissioner can contact for further information. 
  5.15     (c) A person who submits a request for temporary exemption 
  5.16  under paragraph (b) may submit a request for a temporary 
  5.17  exemption after September 1, 1994, for an item that the person 
  5.18  will use as an alternative to the item for which the request was 
  5.19  originally made as long as the new item has a total 
  5.20  concentration level of all the listed metals that is 
  5.21  significantly less than in the original item.  An exemption 
  5.22  under this paragraph expires July 1, 1998, and the person who 
  5.23  requests it must submit the progress description required in 
  5.24  paragraph (e). 
  5.25     (d) By October 1, 1994, and annually thereafter if requests 
  5.26  are received under paragraph (c), the commissioner shall submit 
  5.27  to the environment and natural resources committees of the 
  5.28  senate and house of representatives, the finance division of the 
  5.29  senate committee on environment and natural resources, and the 
  5.30  house of representatives committee on environment and natural 
  5.31  resources finance a list of manufacturers and persons that have 
  5.32  requested an exemption under this subdivision and the items for 
  5.33  which exemptions were sought, along with copies of the requests. 
  5.34     (e) By July 1, 1996, each manufacturer on the list shall 
  5.35  submit to the commissioner a description of the progress the 
  5.36  manufacturer has made toward compliance with subdivision 1, and 
  6.1   the date compliance has been achieved or the date on or before 
  6.2   July 1, 1998, by which the manufacturer anticipates achieving 
  6.3   compliance.  By July 1, 1996, each person who has requested an 
  6.4   exemption under paragraph (b) or (c) shall submit to the 
  6.5   commissioner: 
  6.6      (1) a description of progress made to eliminate the listed 
  6.7   metal or metals from the item or progress made by the person to 
  6.8   find a replacement item that does not contain an intentionally 
  6.9   introduced listed metal; and 
  6.10     (2) the date or anticipated date the item is or will be 
  6.11  free of intentionally introduced metals or the date the person 
  6.12  has stopped or will stop using the item. 
  6.13     By October 1, 1996, the commissioner shall submit to the 
  6.14  environment and natural resources committees of the senate and 
  6.15  house of representatives, the finance division of the senate 
  6.16  committee on environment and natural resources, and the house of 
  6.17  representatives committee on environment and natural resources 
  6.18  finance a summary of the progress made by the manufacturers and 
  6.19  other persons and any recommendations for appropriate 
  6.20  legislative or other action to ensure that products are not 
  6.21  distributed in the state after July 1, 1998, that violate 
  6.22  subdivision 1.  
  6.23     Subd. 2.  [DEFINITIONS.] (a) For the purposes of this 
  6.24  section, the following terms have the meanings given them. 
  6.25     (b) "Council" means the council established under 
  6.26  subdivision 5. 
  6.27     (c) "Essential product" means a specified product into 
  6.28  which the introduction of a listed metal is required under 
  6.29  military specifications or to ensure the integrity of a product 
  6.30  essential for aviation or railroad safety, and which is being 
  6.31  used only in that application. 
  6.32     (d) "Intentionally introduce" means to deliberately use a 
  6.33  listed metal as an element during manufacture or distribution of 
  6.34  a specified product.  Intentional introduction does not include 
  6.35  the incidental presence of a listed metal. 
  6.36     (e) "Listed metal" means lead, cadmium, mercury, or 
  7.1   hexavalent chromium. 
  7.2      (f) "Listed product" means a specified product that is 
  7.3   included on the prohibited products list published under 
  7.4   subdivision 4. 
  7.5      (g) "New product" means a specified product which was not 
  7.6   used, sold, or distributed in the state before July 2, 1998, or 
  7.7   which has been reformulated so that it contains more of a listed 
  7.8   metal. 
  7.9      (h) "Official" means an officer of a corporation, a general 
  7.10  partner of a partnership or limited partnership, a sole 
  7.11  proprietor, or, in the case of any other entity, a person with 
  7.12  high level management responsibilities. 
  7.13     (i) "Specified product" means an ink, dye, pigment, paint, 
  7.14  or fungicide into which a listed metal has been intentionally 
  7.15  introduced or in which the incidental presence of a listed metal 
  7.16  exceeds a concentration of 100 parts per million.  
  7.17     Subd. 3.  [APPLICATION; ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION OF 
  7.18  COMPLIANCE.] (a) This section does not apply to art supplies. 
  7.19     (b) This section may be enforced under sections 115.071 and 
  7.20  116.072.  The attorney general or the commissioner of the agency 
  7.21  shall coordinate enforcement of this section with the director 
  7.22  of the office. By July 1, 1998, each person who has filed the 
  7.23  progress report specified in Laws 1994, chapter 585, section 30, 
  7.24  subdivision 2, paragraph (e), indicating compliance would be 
  7.25  achieved by July 1, 1998, shall certify to the commissioner that 
  7.26  the products referenced in that report have been reformulated 
  7.27  and no longer meet the definition of a specified product.  The 
  7.28  certification must be in writing and signed by an official of 
  7.29  the company.  If, due to significant change in circumstances, 
  7.30  the person cannot so certify by July 1, 1998, a product review 
  7.31  report and fee shall be submitted as provided under subdivision 
  7.32  6. 
  7.33     (b) The person submitting the certification shall keep a 
  7.34  copy on file and make copies available to the commissioner or 
  7.35  the attorney general upon request or to any member of the public 
  7.36  within 60 days of receipt of a written request that specifies 
  8.1   the type of product for which the information is requested. 
  8.2      Subd. 4.  [PROHIBITED PRODUCTS LIST.] By October 1, 1998, 
  8.3   the commissioner shall publish in the State Register a list of 
  8.4   specified products for which the commissioner has received 
  8.5   certifications as provided under subdivision 3. 
  8.6      Subd. 5.  [LISTED METALS ADVISORY COUNCIL.] (a) The purpose 
  8.7   of the listed metals advisory council is to promote sustainable 
  8.8   development, as defined in section 4A.07, the public health and 
  8.9   welfare and protect the environment and the state's economy by 
  8.10  removing listed metals from specified products so that the 
  8.11  listed metals do not contribute to bioaccumulation and burden 
  8.12  taxpayers with unnecessary disposal costs. 
  8.13     (b) By July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall appoint a 
  8.14  listed metals advisory council consisting of the following five 
  8.15  permanent members:  a chair, a representative of government, a 
  8.16  representative of business, a representative of a citizens' 
  8.17  organization, and a representative from a relevant field of 
  8.18  academia.  Temporary members of the council shall be appointed 
  8.19  by the commissioner under paragraph (f).  No permanent or 
  8.20  temporary member of the council who is an employee of a 
  8.21  manufacturer or user of a specified product may sit in 
  8.22  consideration of that product. 
  8.23     (c) The council shall have the following duties: 
  8.24     (1) review reports submitted under subdivisions 6, 7, and 8 
  8.25  and provide advice to the commissioner pursuant to paragraph 
  8.26  (d); and 
  8.27     (2) report to the commissioner on October 1, 2000, and 
  8.28  October 1, 2005, on any reasonable measures that would allow the 
  8.29  criteria in paragraph (d) to be met with regard to products 
  8.30  reviewed based on information obtained during the review of 
  8.31  products. 
  8.32     (d) The council's advice to the commissioner under 
  8.33  paragraph (c), clause (1), shall be based on an evaluation of 
  8.34  the environmental impact of the product and the ability of the 
  8.35  manufacturer or user to reduce or eliminate the listed metal.  
  8.36  Before making a recommendation that the commissioner take action 
  9.1   under subdivision 9, the council must conclude that: 
  9.2      (1) there is an alternative to the specified product that 
  9.3   does not contain the listed metal that performs the same 
  9.4   technical function, is commercially available, and is 
  9.5   economically practicable; and 
  9.6      (2) replacement of the product with the alternative will 
  9.7   result in an environmental benefit in the state. 
  9.8      (e) A recommendation that the commissioner take action 
  9.9   under subdivision 9 shall include the information required by 
  9.10  section 14.131 to the extent the council, through reasonable 
  9.11  effort, can ascertain this information. 
  9.12     (f) Before the council evaluates a specific product or 
  9.13  group of products, the commissioner shall appoint temporary 
  9.14  council members in an even number up to six.  The commissioner 
  9.15  shall seek to appoint as temporary members persons having 
  9.16  expertise on the product or group of products under review as 
  9.17  well as persons representing community interests.  The temporary 
  9.18  members shall be voting members of the council on all matters 
  9.19  related to consideration of the product or group of products.  
  9.20  The terms of the temporary members shall expire when the council 
  9.21  has completed its review of the product or group of products and 
  9.22  has submitted its recommendation to the commissioner pursuant to 
  9.23  this subdivision.  
  9.24     (g) The permanent members of the council must prioritize 
  9.25  the council's review of a specific product or group of products 
  9.26  by publishing a notice in the State Register by October 1, 1998, 
  9.27  identifying those specified products, or groups of products, 
  9.28  which will be reviewed by July 1, 2000.  By October 1, 2000, the 
  9.29  council shall publish a notice in the State Register identifying 
  9.30  those specified products, or groups of products, which will be 
  9.31  reviewed by July 1, 2005.  The council shall consider potential 
  9.32  environmental impacts in prioritizing its review.  The council 
  9.33  shall notify manufacturers and users who have submitted product 
  9.34  review reports of the appropriate review schedule.  A 
  9.35  manufacturer who has submitted a product review report may 
  9.36  request an expedited review by the council. 
 10.1      (h) The commissioner shall provide staff and administrative 
 10.2   services to the council.  Compensation and removal of council 
 10.3   members shall be as provided in section 15.059, subdivisions 3 
 10.4   and 4.  The council shall dissolve on June 30, 2006. 
 10.5      Subd. 6.  [PRODUCT REVIEW REPORTS.] (a) Except as provided 
 10.6   under subdivision 7, the manufacturer, or an association of 
 10.7   manufacturers, of any specified product distributed for sale or 
 10.8   use in this state that is not listed pursuant to subdivision 4 
 10.9   shall submit a product review report and fee as provided in 
 10.10  paragraph (c) to the commissioner for each product by July 1, 
 10.11  1998.  Each product review report shall contain at least the 
 10.12  following: 
 10.13     (1) a policy statement articulating upper management 
 10.14  support for eliminating or reducing intentional introduction of 
 10.15  listed metals into its products; 
 10.16     (2) a description of the product and the amount of each 
 10.17  listed metal distributed for use in this state; 
 10.18     (3) a description of past and ongoing efforts to eliminate 
 10.19  or reduce the listed metal in the product; 
 10.20     (4) an assessment of options available to reduce or 
 10.21  eliminate the intentional introduction of the listed metal 
 10.22  including any alternatives to the specified product that do not 
 10.23  contain the listed metal, perform the same technical function, 
 10.24  are commercially available, and are economically practicable; 
 10.25     (5) a statement of objectives in numerical terms and a 
 10.26  schedule for achieving the elimination of the listed metals and 
 10.27  an environmental assessment of alternative products; 
 10.28     (6) a listing of options considered not to be technically 
 10.29  or economically practicable; and 
 10.30     (7) certification attesting to the accuracy of the 
 10.31  information in the report signed and dated by an official of the 
 10.32  manufacturer or user. 
 10.33  If the manufacturer fails to submit a product review report, a 
 10.34  user of a specified product may submit a report and fee which 
 10.35  comply with this subdivision by August 15, 1998. 
 10.36     (b) By July 1, 1999, and annually thereafter until the 
 11.1   commissioner takes action under subdivision 9, the manufacturer 
 11.2   or user must submit a progress report and fee as provided in 
 11.3   paragraph (c) updating the information presented under paragraph 
 11.4   (a). 
 11.5      (c) The fee shall be $295 for each report.  The fee shall 
 11.6   be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the 
 11.7   environmental fund. 
 11.8      (d) Where it cannot be determined from a progress report 
 11.9   submitted by a person pursuant to Laws 1994, chapter 585, 
 11.10  section 30, subdivision 2, paragraph (e), the number of products 
 11.11  for which product review reports are due under this subdivision, 
 11.12  the commissioner shall have the authority to determine, after 
 11.13  consultation with that person, the number of products for which 
 11.14  product review reports are required. 
 11.15     (e) The commissioner shall summarize, aggregate, and 
 11.16  publish data reported under paragraphs (a) and (b) annually. 
 11.17     (f) A product that is the subject of a decision under 
 11.18  section 115A.965 is exempt from this section.  
 11.19     Subd. 7.  [ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS; PUBLISHED LIST.] (a) By 
 11.20  January 1, 1998, a manufacturer or user of an essential product 
 11.21  must submit a certification to the commissioner that the product 
 11.22  meets the definition in subdivision 2, paragraph (c).  By July 
 11.23  1, 2002, each manufacturer or user of an essential product shall 
 11.24  submit a report to the commissioner which includes the 
 11.25  information required in subdivision 6, paragraph (a), and a 
 11.26  statement of whether the product continues to meet the 
 11.27  definition in subdivision 2, paragraph (c). 
 11.28     (b) By October 1, 1998, the commissioner shall publish in 
 11.29  the State Register a list of essential products for which the 
 11.30  commissioner has received certification pursuant to this 
 11.31  subdivision.  By October 1, 2002, the commissioner shall publish 
 11.32  in the State Register a list of essential products based on 
 11.33  reports submitted by July 1, 2002, as provided in paragraph (a). 
 11.34     Subd. 8.  [NEW PRODUCTS; CRITERIA FOR REVIEW.] (a) After 
 11.35  July 1, 1998, but before July 1, 2005, no person shall sell, 
 11.36  distribute, or offer for sale in this state a new product prior 
 12.1   to the manufacturer or user submitting a product review report 
 12.2   and fee specified in subdivision 6. 
 12.3      (b) The council shall review reports submitted under this 
 12.4   subdivision and provide advice to the commissioner.  The 
 12.5   council's advice to the commissioner under this subdivision 
 12.6   shall be based on an evaluation of the environmental impact of 
 12.7   the product and the ability of the manufacturer or user to 
 12.8   reduce or eliminate the listed metal.  Before making a 
 12.9   recommendation that the commissioner take action under 
 12.10  subdivision 9, the council must conclude that: 
 12.11     (1) there is an alternative to the specified product that 
 12.12  does not contain the listed metal that performs the same 
 12.13  technical function, is commercially available, and is 
 12.14  economically practicable, and replacement of the product with 
 12.15  the alternative will result in an environmental benefit in the 
 12.16  state; or 
 12.17     (2) if there is no alternative to the new product, that the 
 12.18  use of the listed metal in the new product presents a 
 12.19  significant threat to the safe and efficient operation of waste 
 12.20  facilities, or use of the listed metal does not increase the 
 12.21  useful life span of the new product, reduce the overall toxicity 
 12.22  of the final product or of material used in production of the 
 12.23  final product, or otherwise provide a net environmental benefit 
 12.24  to the state. 
 12.25     (c) Notwithstanding subdivision 5, paragraph (f), where the 
 12.26  commissioner determines that a new product subject to paragraph 
 12.27  (a) is sufficiently similar to a product or products previously 
 12.28  reviewed by the council, the commissioner may authorize the 
 12.29  permanent members of the council to perform the duties 
 12.30  established in paragraph (b) without the appointment of 
 12.31  temporary members.  In performing those duties, the council 
 12.32  shall utilize information gathered in any previous review of a 
 12.33  similar product or products. 
 12.34     (d) Beginning July 1, 2005, no person shall sell, 
 12.35  distribute, or offer for sale in this state a new product 
 12.36  without the commissioner's approval.  A person seeking approval 
 13.1   of a new product shall submit a product review report including 
 13.2   the information and fee specified in subdivision 6.  The 
 13.3   commissioner shall not approve the new product unless the 
 13.4   commissioner determines that it meets the criteria in paragraph 
 13.5   (b).  The commissioner shall make a determination within six 
 13.6   months of receipt of a complete request. 
 13.7      Subd. 9.  [AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.] (a) The commissioner 
 13.8   may, upon the recommendation of the council, prohibit the 
 13.9   distribution for sale or use in this state of a specified 
 13.10  product that is not an essential product. 
 13.11     (b) Before taking action under this subdivision, the 
 13.12  commissioner must conclude that: 
 13.13     (1) there is an alternative to the specified product that 
 13.14  does not contain the listed metal that performs the same 
 13.15  technical function, is commercially available, and is 
 13.16  economically practicable, and replacement of the product with 
 13.17  the alternative will result in an environmental benefit to the 
 13.18  state; or 
 13.19     (2) if there is no alternative to the new product, that the 
 13.20  use of the listed metal in the new product presents a 
 13.21  significant threat to the safe and efficient operation of waste 
 13.22  facilities, or use of the listed metal does not increase the 
 13.23  useful life span of the new product, reduce the overall toxicity 
 13.24  of the final product or of material used in production of the 
 13.25  final product, or otherwise provide a net environmental benefit 
 13.26  to the state. 
 13.27     (c) If the commissioner fails to take action under this 
 13.28  subdivision as recommended by the council, the commissioner 
 13.29  shall submit a report to the legislature explaining the reasons 
 13.30  for not taking such action.  
 13.31     (d) The commissioner shall provide the legislature a report 
 13.32  and recommendations based on any report prepared by the council 
 13.33  under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), clause (2). 
 13.34     Subd. 10.  [APPLICATION; ENFORCEMENT.] (a) This section 
 13.35  does not apply to art supplies. 
 13.36     (b) This section may be enforced under sections 115.071 and 
 14.1   116.072.  The attorney general or the commissioner of the agency 
 14.2   shall coordinate enforcement of this section with the director 
 14.3   of the office. 
 14.4      Subd. 11.  [RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.] (a) The pollution 
 14.5   control agency may adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules to 
 14.6   implement this section. 
 14.7      (b) Publication of notice under subdivision 5, paragraph 
 14.8   (g), shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of section 
 14.9   14.101. 
 14.10     (c) The commissioner may adopt a council recommendation 
 14.11  under subdivision 5 as the agency's statement of need and 
 14.12  reasonableness.  A recommendation adopted in this manner shall 
 14.13  be deemed to satisfy any content requirements for a statement of 
 14.14  need and reasonableness imposed by law. 
 14.15     (d) Any hearings on rules adopted under this section shall 
 14.16  be conducted in accordance with sections 14.14 to 14.20 and 
 14.17  address whether the rule meets the standards for review under 
 14.18  which the judge is required to approve or disapprove the rule. 
 14.19     (e) Section 14.125 does not apply to the agency's 
 14.20  rulemaking authority under this section.  
 14.21     (f) A rule adopted under this section is effective until 
 14.22  repealed by the agency. 
 14.23     Sec. 5.  [REPEALER.] 
 14.24     Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 115A.965, subdivision 6, 
 14.25  is repealed. 
 14.26     Sec. 6.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 14.27     Section 4 is effective the day following final enactment.