Senate Bill 3027

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 21-27-205, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO ESTABLISH RECIPROCAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR OPERATORS OF RUBBISH SITES; TO AMEND SECTION 21-27-207, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE REFERENCE TO NONEXISTENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TO AMEND 21-27-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE A CLASS I RUBBISH SITE IF THE OPERATOR IS NOT CERTIFIED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 21-27-205, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-27-205. (1) The board shall classify all municipal and domestic water collection, storage, treatment and/or distribution systems actually used or intended for use as community water systems or nontransient, noncommunity water systems according to size, type, character of water to be treated, number of service connections, and other physical conditions affecting the operation and maintenance of those systems, and also according to the degree of skill, knowledge, training and experience required of the operators of those systems to ensure competent, efficient operation and maintenance of such systems and protection of public health.

(2) The commission shall classify all municipal and domestic wastewater facilities according to size, type, character of wastewater to be treated, and other physical conditions affecting the operation and maintenance of the facilities, and also according to the degree of skill, knowledge, training and experience required of the operators of the facilities to ensure competent, efficient operation and maintenance of the facilities and prevention of pollution of waters of the state.

(3) The commission shall establish reciprocal certification arrangements with other states and private companies that establish training and certification programs for operators of commercial nonhazardous solid waste management landfills that meet or exceed the requirements of the commercial nonhazardous solid waste management landfill operator training and certification program established by the commission.

(4) The commission shall establish reciprocal certification arrangements with other states and private companies that establish training and certification programs for operators of Class I rubbish sites that meet or exceed the requirements of the Class I rubbish site operator training and certification program established by the commission.

SECTION 2. Section 21-27-207, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-27-207. Both the board and commission may adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and may make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from and may enforce those rules, regulations and procedures as are necessary or appropriate to effectuate the duties and responsibilities of these agencies arising under Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221. The rules, regulations and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following: criteria for classifying municipal and domestic community water systems, nontransient, noncommunity water systems and wastewater facilities; qualifications for operators of community water systems, nontransient, noncommunity water systems and wastewater facilities; procedures for examining or testing applicants for operator certificates; procedures and fees for issuing, reissuing, modifying, revoking or terminating operator certificates; and reciprocal certification of operators certified in other states having certification requirements not less stringent than those established by the board and commission. * * *

SECTION 3. Section 21-27-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-27-211. (1) It is unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any wastewater facility or community water system covered under Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 unless the operator of that facility or system holds a current certificate of competency issued by the board or commission, as provided by Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221, in a classification corresponding to the classification of the facility or system. After July 1, 1998, it shall be unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any nontransient, noncommunity water system covered under Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221, unless the operator of that system holds a current certificate of competency issued by the board. If an operator is lost due to illness, death, resignation, discharge or other legitimate cause, the owner or president of the governing board of the facility or system shall immediately notify either the board or commission, as the case may be. The facility or system may continue to operate without a certified operator on an interim basis for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, except for good cause shown upon petition to the responsible agency. The board or the commission, as the case may be, may grant, upon petition of the facility or system, an extension of the interim operating period not to exceed an additional one hundred eighty (180) days for good cause shown.

(2) It is unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any commercial nonhazardous solid waste management landfill permitted under Section 49-17-29 unless the operator of that facility holds a current certificate of competency issued by the commission, as provided by Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221. However, in the event of the loss of an operator due to illness, death, resignation, discharge or other legitimate cause, notice shall be immediately given to the commission and the continued operation of the facility without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, except for good cause shown upon petition to the commission.

(3) After June 30, 2005, it is unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any Class I rubbish sites, unless the operator of that facility holds a certificate of competency issued by the commission under Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221. However, in the event of the loss of an operator due to illness, death, resignation, discharge or other legitimate cause, notice shall be immediately given to the commission and the continued operation of the facility without a certified operator may proceed on an interim basis for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, except for good cause shown upon petition to the commission.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.