1997 Minnesota Statutes

     144.98 Certification of environmental laboratories. 

    Subdivision 1.    Authorization.  The commissioner of 
 health may certify laboratories that test environmental samples. 

    Subd. 2.    Rules.  The commissioner may adopt rules to 
 implement this section, including: 

    (1) procedures, requirements, and fee adjustments for 
 laboratory certification, including provisional status and 
 recertification; 

    (2) standards and fees for certificate approval, 
 suspension, and revocation; 

    (3) standards for environmental samples; 

    (4) analysis methods that assure reliable test results; 

    (5) laboratory quality assurance, including internal 
 quality control, proficiency testing, and personnel training; 
 and 

    (6) criteria for recognition of certification programs of 
 other states and the federal government. 

    Subd. 3.    Fees.  (a) An application for certification 
 under subdivision 1 must be accompanied by the biennial fee 
 specified in this subdivision.  The fees are for: 

    (1) base certification fee, $500; and 

    (2) test category certification fees: 

 Test Category                                  Certification Fee
 Bacteriology                                              $200
 Inorganic chemistry, fewer than four constituents         $100
 Inorganic chemistry, four or more constituents            $300
 Chemistry metals, fewer than four constituents            $200
 Chemistry metals, four or more constituents               $500
 Volatile organic compounds                                $600
 Other organic compounds                                   $600

    (b) The total biennial certification fee is the base fee 
 plus the applicable test category fees.  The biennial 
 certification fee for a contract laboratory is 1.5 times the 
 total certification fee. 

    (c) Laboratories located outside of this state that require 
 an on-site survey will be assessed an additional $1,200 fee. 

    (d) The commissioner of health may adjust fees under 
 section 16A.1285 without rulemaking.  Fees must be set so that 
 the total fees support the laboratory certification program.  
 Direct costs of the certification service include program 
 administration, inspections, the agency's general support costs, 
 and attorney general costs attributable to the fee function. 

    Subd. 4.    Fees for laboratory proficiency testing and 
 technical training.  The commissioner of health may set fees 
 for proficiency testing and technical training services under 
 section 16A.1285.  Fees must be set so that the total fees cover 
 the direct costs of the proficiency testing and technical 
 training services, including salaries, supplies and equipment, 
 travel expenses, and attorney general costs attributable to the 
 fee function. 

    Subd. 5.    State government special revenue fund.  Fees 
 collected under this section must be deposited in the state 
 government special revenue fund. 

    HIST: 1988 c 689 art 2 s 34; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 9 s 52; 1995 c 
 165 s 4; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 50; 1996 c 305 art 3 s 21