Minnesota Session Laws - 1990, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1990 

                        CHAPTER 466-H.F.No. 2458 
           An act relating to hazardous materials; directing the 
          commissioner of public safety to plan a system for a 
          regional hazardous materials incident response 
          program; establishing an advisory task force. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT RESPONSE.] 
    The commissioner of public safety shall plan a statewide 
system of response to spills, emissions, or exposure of 
hazardous materials by regional teams established by the state, 
local government emergency responders, and private industry, 
including cleanup contractors.  In developing the plan, the 
commissioner shall consult with the advisory task force 
established by section 2.  The commissioner shall submit the 
plan, along with any recommendations for further legislation, to 
the legislature by January 1, 1991.  The plan must cover, at a 
minimum: 
    (1) the appropriate role of the state, local governments, 
and the private sector in the response system; 
    (2) the number of teams needed, and where they should be 
located, to provide quick response to incidents; 
    (3) a method of contracting with local governments in which 
teams are to be located; 
    (4) the minimum equipment and staffing needed by each team; 
    (5) the minimum training and certification requirements 
needed for team members; 
    (6) recommendations for compensating communities in which 
teams are located and for compensating team members; 
    (7) a fee system to support the system; and 
    (8) recommendations on holding harmless from increased 
liability the individuals and local governments that take part 
in hazardous materials incident response. 
    Sec. 2.  [ADVISORY TASK FORCE.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [MEMBERSHIP.] The hazardous materials 
incident response advisory task force consists of the 
commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee, 
the commissioner of the pollution control agency or the 
commissioner's designee, and eight members appointed by the 
commissioner of public safety.  The members appointed by the 
commissioner must include: 
    (1) three persons representing the fire service, including 
representatives of the Minnesota professional firefighters, the 
Minnesota state fire department association, and the Minnesota 
state fire chiefs; 
    (2) three persons representing private industry, including 
representatives of small businesses, businesses other than small 
businesses, and the transportation industry; 
    (3) a representative of the Minnesota league of cities; and 
    (4) a representative of the general public. 
Compensation and removal of members and the filling of 
membership vacancies are governed by section 15.059. 
    Subd. 2.  [DUTIES.] The advisory task force shall advise 
the commissioner of public safety on the development of the plan 
required by section 1. 
    Subd. 3.  [ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE.] The commissioner of 
public safety shall provide office space and administrative 
assistance necessary for the performance of the advisory task 
force's duties. 
    Sec.  3.  [REPEALER.] 
    Section 2 is repealed effective June 30, 1991. 
    Sec.  4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    Sections 1 and 2 are effective July 1, 1990. 
    Presented to the governor April 19, 1990 
    Signed by the governor April 20, 1990, 10:53 a.m.