Minnesota Session Laws - 2013, Regular Session

CHAPTER 92--H.F.No. 814

An act

relating to environment; requiring report of hazardous substance release to local 911 emergency dispatch center;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609.671, subdivision 10.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609.671, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Failure to report release of hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance.

(a) A person is, upon conviction, subject to a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, who:

(1) is required to report the release of a hazardous substance under United States Code, title 42, section 9603, or the release of an extremely hazardous substance under United States Code, title 42, section 11004;

(2) knows that a hazardous substance or an extremely hazardous substance has been released; and

(3) fails to provide immediate notification of the release of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance or an extremely hazardous substance to the state emergency response center new text begin and new text end , deleted text begin or a firefighting or law enforcement organization deleted text end new text begin if directed by the center, to notify a local 911 emergency dispatch center new text end .

new text begin For purposes of clause (3), the state emergency response center shall direct a caller to notify a local 911 emergency dispatch center if the situation requires an immediate response or the area is unknown to the center. In all other cases, the state emergency response center must notify a local firefighting or law enforcement organization of the situation within 24 hours of receiving the notification. new text end

(b) For a second or subsequent conviction under this subdivision, the violator is subject to a fine of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, a "hazardous substance" means a substance on the list established under United States Code, title 42, section 9602.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, an "extremely hazardous substance" means a substance on the list established under United States Code, title 42, section 11002.

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a "reportable quantity" means a quantity that must be reported under United States Code, title 42, section 9602 or 11002.

new text begin (f) The penalties in paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an employee of a state emergency response center to the extent that the employee is acting in the scope of that employee's official duties. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2014, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date. new text end

Presented to the governor May 21, 2013

Signed by the governor May 24, 2013, 2:15 p.m.