reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.62 — Board; Membership; Term; Quorum; Officers; Compensation.

115.62 BOARD; MEMBERSHIP; TERM; QUORUM; OFFICERS; COMPENSATION.
All powers of the district shall be exercised by or under authority of resolutions of its board of directors, consisting of one member appointed by the governing body of each municipality situated wholly or partly within its corporate limits, who may but need not be a member of that governing body. The term of each member shall extend to January 1 in the year following appointment, or until a successor is appointed and qualified, or until the member's earlier death, disability, or absence of more than 90 days from the member's municipality. Any resolution may be passed by a majority of the votes cast thereon at a meeting attended by a majority of the members of the board, unless a larger majority or further notice is required by its bylaws, which shall be adopted or amended only by the vote of a majority of all members of the board. The board shall elect a president and vice-president at its first meeting in each year, to serve until the following January 1 or until their respective successors are selected and qualify. Each member of the board shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expense in the performance of the member's duty and may receive compensation in an amount determined by the board to be reasonable, not exceeding $25 per day or part thereof for each meeting and not exceeding $1,000 in any one year.
History:
1965 c 895 s 2; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.63 — Manager Authority; Employees.

115.63 MANAGER AUTHORITY; EMPLOYEES.
The chief executive officer of the district shall be a manager who shall be chosen by the board of directors and hold office on the same basis, possess the same qualifications, and have the same powers and duties with reference to the management of the affairs of the district, as the manager of a statutory city under sections 412.641 to 412.751, except that all appointments of subordinate officers and employees and all employment of professional consultants shall be subject to approval by the board. The district shall comply with the provisions of chapter 353 to permit membership of the manager and all employees in the Public Employees Retirement Association.
History:
1965 c 895 s 3; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.64 — Acquiring Property.

115.64 ACQUIRING PROPERTY.
The acquisition and use of real and personal property by a district created as herein contemplated shall not be subject to restriction or control by any other local government or authority, except by the exercise of police powers under section 169.04.
History:
1965 c 895 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.65 — Purpose; Duties Of District; Annexing Territory.

115.65 PURPOSE; DUTIES OF DISTRICT; ANNEXING TERRITORY.
Sanitary sewer districts may be created by or under authority of laws referring to sections 115.61 to 115.67 and enumerating the cities or towns, or portions thereof, which are or may be included therein. The purpose of sections 115.61 to 115.67 is to provide a method by which municipalities in a drainage area designated by law may join together to prevent water pollution in excess of reasonable standards in that area. Each district created as contemplated herein shall be responsible for planning collection, treatment, and disposal facilities for all municipalities in its drainage area, whether or not initially included within its boundaries. Any municipality, by resolution adopted by a majority of all members of its governing body, may request the annexation of all or part of its territory to the district, and the annexation shall become effective when approved by resolution adopted by a majority of all members of the board of directors of the district with the approval of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or by order of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency made under authority of Laws 1963, chapter 874. Nothing in sections 115.61 to 115.67 shall be construed as abrogating any statutory authority or responsibility of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. All territory annexed shall be subject to taxation by the district like other property within its boundaries for the support of its facilities and for the payment of principal and interest thereafter becoming due on its indebtedness, whether authorized or incurred before or after the annexation.
History:
1965 c 895 s 5; 1969 c 9 s 21; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.66 — Severability.

115.66 SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of sections 115.61 to 115.67 or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of sections 115.61 to 115.67 which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of sections 115.61 to 115.67 and the various applications thereof are declared to be severable.
History:
1965 c 895 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.71 — Definitions.

115.71 DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Applicability.
As used in sections 115.71 to 115.77, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1995 c 180 s 16]
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 1995 c 180 s 16]
Subd. 3a.
[Repealed, 1995 c 180 s 16]
Subd. 4.
MS 2018 [Repealed, 2020 c 83 art 1 s 103]
Subd. 4a.
Population equivalent.
"Population equivalent" means a number determined by dividing a daily pound load of five-day, 20-degree-centigrade carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) of raw sewage by 0.17.
Subd. 5.
MS 1990 [Renumbered subd 9]
Subd. 5.
Wastewater certificate.
"Wastewater certificate" means a certificate of competency issued by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency stating that the wastewater treatment facility operator has met the requirements for the specified operator classification of the certification program.
Subd. 6.
MS 1990 [Renumbered subd 5]
Subd. 6.
Wastewater treatment facility.
"Wastewater treatment facility" means any plant, disposal field, lagoon, or other works not specifically mentioned herein, installed for the purpose of collecting, pumping, treating, stabilizing or disposing of sewage, as defined in section 115.01, subdivision 17, which is actually used or intended for use by the public or by any considerable number of persons.
Subd. 7.
[Repealed, 1991 c 202 s 42]
Subd. 8.
MS 1990 [Renumbered subd 6]
Subd. 8.
Wastewater treatment facility operator.
"Wastewater treatment facility operator" means a person who has direct responsibility for the operation of or operates a wastewater treatment facility.
Subd. 9.
MS 1991 Supp [Renumbered subd 10]
Subd. 9.
Water certificate.
"Water certificate" means a certificate of competency issued by the commissioner of health stating that the water supply system operator has met the requirements for the specified operator classification of the certification program.
Subd. 9a.
Water supply system.
"Water supply system" means a community or nontransient noncommunity water system as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 141.2, as amended.
Subd. 10.
MS 1990 [Renumbered subd 8]
Subd. 10.
Water supply system operator.
"Water supply system operator" means a person who has direct responsibility for the operation of or operates a water supply system or such parts of the system as would affect the quality and safety of the water.
History:
1971 c 828 s 1; 1975 c 271 s 4; 1976 c 149 s 21; 1977 c 66 s 9; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1991 c 202 s 2,3; 1995 c 180 s 1-6; 1999 c 66 s 1,2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.72 — Rules.

115.72 RULES.
Subdivision 1.
Classification.
(a) The commissioner of health shall jointly with the agency adopt rules relating to the classification of all water supply systems actually used or intended for use by the public.
(b) The Pollution Control Agency shall jointly with the commissioner of health adopt rules relating to the classification of all wastewater treatment facilities actually used or intended for use by the public or by any considerable number of persons.
(c) The classes described in paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be based on the degree of hazard to public health, the type of unit process, the loading of the plant, and the population served or the population equivalent of the sewage handled.
Subd. 2.
Certification qualifications.
The commissioner of health and the agency shall jointly adopt rules relating to the certification qualifications for each classification of water supply system operators and wastewater facility operators, respectively. The rules must provide for at least one annual examination for each class of certificate and must include, but are not limited to:
(1) education requirements;
(2) education substitution provisions;
(3) experience requirements;
(4) experience substitution provisions;
(5) examination content requirements, testing procedures, and criteria for passing;
(6) certificate renewal requirements;
(7) schedules for submitting applications and fees; and
(8) reinstatement requirements for expired, suspended, or revoked certificates.
History:
1971 c 828 s 2; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1995 c 180 s 7; 2020 c 83 art 1 s 18
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.73 — Certification Required.

115.73 CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.
A person may not operate a water supply system or wastewater treatment facility unless the system or facility maintains at least one person that:
(1) is certified in a class equal to or higher than the class of the system or facility; and
(2) has full and active responsibility for the daily on-site operation of the system or facility, or of a portion of the system or facility if an additional operator or operators with appropriate certification are responsible for the remaining portions.
History:
1971 c 828 s 3; 1976 c 149 s 62 subd 6; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1995 c 180 s 8
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.7411 — Advisory Council On Water Supply Systems And Wastewater Treatment Facilities.

115.7411 ADVISORY COUNCIL ON WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.
Subdivision 1.
Purpose; membership.
The Advisory Council on Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities shall advise the commissioners of health and the Pollution Control Agency regarding classification of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities, qualifications and competency evaluation of water supply system operators and wastewater treatment facility operators, and additional laws, rules, and procedures that may be desirable for regulating the operation of water supply systems and of wastewater treatment facilities. The advisory council is composed of 11 voting members, of whom:
(1) one member must be from the Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, appointed by the commissioner of health;
(2) one member must be from the Pollution Control Agency appointed by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;
(3) three members must be certified water supply system operators, appointed by the commissioner of health, one of whom must represent a nonmunicipal community or nontransient noncommunity water supply system;
(4) three members must be certified wastewater treatment facility operators, appointed by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;
(5) one member must be a representative from an organization representing municipalities, appointed by the commissioner of health with the concurrence of the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency; and
(6) two members must be members of the public who are not associated with water supply systems or wastewater treatment facilities. One must be appointed by the commissioner of health and the other by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency. Consideration should be given to one of these members being a representative of academia knowledgeable in water or wastewater matters.
Subd. 2.
Geographic representation.
At least one of the water supply system operators and at least one of the wastewater treatment facility operators must be from outside the seven-county metropolitan area and one wastewater treatment facility operator must be from the Metropolitan Council.
Subd. 3.
Terms; compensation.
The terms of the appointed members and the compensation and removal of all members are governed by section 15.059.
Subd. 4.
Officers.
When new members are appointed to the council, a chair must be elected at the next council meeting. The Department of Health representative shall serve as secretary of the council.
History:
2023 c 70 art 4 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.75 — Operator Certificates.

115.75 OPERATOR CERTIFICATES.
Subdivision 1.
Issuance.
The commissioners of health and the Pollution Control Agency shall issue certificates to water supply system operators and wastewater treatment facility operators, respectively, who meet the requirements of the rules adopted under section 115.72. Each certificate must indicate the classification of the system or facility which the operator is qualified to operate.
Subd. 2.
Display.
Certificates must be prominently displayed in the office of the operator or other appropriate place on the premises of the plant or treatment facility.
Subd. 3.
Validity.
Certificates are valid for a period of three years unless revoked or suspended by the commissioner of health or the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency prior to that time. Certificates may be renewed upon application to the appropriate commissioner.
Subd. 4.
Denial, refusal to renew, revocation, and suspension.
The commissioner of health and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, or suspend the certification of a water supply system operator or a wastewater treatment facility operator, respectively, in accordance with section 144.99, subdivisions 8 to 10.
Subd. 5.
Expiration.
The certificates of operators who terminate their employment at a water supply system or wastewater treatment facility will remain valid for the unexpired term of the certificate. Operators whose certificates expire under this section may be issued new certificates of a like classification provided appropriate proof of competency is submitted to the appropriate commissioner. Successful completion of an examination may be required.
Subd. 6.
Records.
The commissioner of health shall maintain records relating to certification of water supply system operators, and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall maintain records relating to certification of wastewater treatment facility operators.
History:
1971 c 828 s 5; 1976 c 149 s 62 subd 6; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1995 c 180 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.76 — Reciprocity.

115.76 RECIPROCITY.
The commissioner of health, in the case of water supply system operators, and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, in the case of wastewater treatment facility operators, upon application, may issue certificates without examination, in a comparable classification to any person who holds a certificate in any state, territory, or possession of the United States or any country, providing the requirements for certification of operators under which the person's certificate was issued do not conflict with the provisions of sections 115.71 to 115.77 and are of a standard not lower than that specified by rules adopted under sections 115.71 to 115.77.
History:
1971 c 828 s 6; 1976 c 149 s 62 subd 6; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1995 c 180 s 11
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.77 — Fees.

115.77 FEES.
Subdivision 1.
Fees.
The agency shall collect fees in amounts necessary, but no greater than the amounts necessary, to cover the reasonable costs of reviewing applications and issuing certifications.
Subd. 2.
Paying fees.
All fees established in subdivision 1 must be paid to the commissioner of health, in the case of water supply system operators, and to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, in the case of wastewater treatment facility operators. The fees received must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund.
History:
1971 c 828 s 7; 1976 c 149 s 62 subd 6; 1995 c 180 s 12; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2009 c 37 art 1 s 40
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115 — Water Pollution Control; Sanitary Districts › Section 115.84 — Wastewater Laboratory Certification.

115.84 WASTEWATER LABORATORY CERTIFICATION.
Subdivision 1.
Wastewater laboratory; certification required.
(a) Laboratories performing wastewater or water analytical laboratory work, the results of which are reported to the agency to determine compliance with a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) or state disposal system (SDS) permit condition or other regulatory document, must be certified according to this section.
(b) This section does not apply to:
(1) laboratories that are private and for-profit;
(2) laboratories that perform drinking water analyses; or
(3) laboratories that perform remediation program analyses, such as Superfund or petroleum analytical work.
(c) Until adoption of rules under subdivision 2, laboratories required to be certified under this section that submit data to the agency must: (1) register with the agency by submitting registration information required by the agency; or (2) be certified or accredited by a recognized authority, such as the commissioner of health under sections 144.97 to 144.99, for the analytical methods required by the agency.
Subd. 2.
Rules.
The agency may adopt rules to govern certification of laboratories according to this section. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the agency may adopt rules establishing fees.
Subd. 3.
Fees.
(a) Until the agency adopts a rule establishing fees for certification, the agency shall collect fees from laboratories registering with the agency, but not accredited by the commissioner of health under sections 144.97 to 144.99, in amounts necessary to cover the reasonable costs of the certification program, including reviewing applications, issuing certifications, and conducting audits and compliance assistance.
(b) Fees under this section must be based on the number, type, and complexity of analytical methods that laboratories are certified to perform.
(c) Revenue from fees charged by the agency for certification shall be credited to the environmental fund.
Subd. 4.
Enforcement.
(a) The commissioner may deny, suspend, or revoke wastewater laboratory certification for, but is not limited to, any of the following reasons: fraud, failure to follow applicable requirements, failure to respond to documented deficiencies or complete corrective actions necessary to address deficiencies, failure to pay certification fees, or other violations of federal or state law.
(b) This section and the rules adopted under it may be enforced by any means provided in section 115.071.
History:
2013 c 114 art 4 s 76
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.02 — Legislative Declaration Of Policy; Purposes.

115A.02 LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION OF POLICY; PURPOSES.
(a) It is the goal of this chapter to protect the state's land, air, water, and other natural resources and the public health by improving waste management in the state to serve the following purposes:
(1) reduction in the amount and toxicity of waste generated;
(2) separation and recovery of materials and energy from waste;
(3) reduction in indiscriminate dependence on disposal of waste;
(4) coordination of solid waste management among political subdivisions; and
(5) orderly and deliberate development and financial security of waste facilities including disposal facilities.
(b) The waste management goal of the state is to foster an integrated waste management system in a manner appropriate to the characteristics of the waste stream and thereby protect the state's land, air, water, and other natural resources and the public health. The following waste management practices are in order of preference:
(1) waste reduction and reuse;
(2) waste recycling;
(3) composting of source-separated compostable materials, including but not limited to, yard waste and food waste;
(4) resource recovery through mixed municipal solid waste composting or incineration;
(5) land disposal which produces no measurable methane gas or which involves the retrieval of methane gas as a fuel for the production of energy to be used on site or for sale; and
(6) land disposal which produces measurable methane and which does not involve the retrieval of methane gas as a fuel for the production of energy to be used on site or for sale.
History:
1980 c 564 art 1 s 2; 1989 c 325 s 2; 1991 c 337 s 5; 1992 c 593 art 1 s 4; 1994 c 585 s 2; 1999 c 231 s 131; 2010 c 272 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.07 — Duties; General.

115A.07 DUTIES; GENERAL.
Subdivision 1.
Interagency coordination.
The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall inform the commissioner of employment and economic development of the agency's activities.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2012 c 272 s 98]
Subd. 3.
Uniform waste statistics; rules.
The commissioner, after consulting with local government units and other interested persons, may adopt rules to establish uniform methods for collecting and reporting waste reduction, generation, collection, transportation, storage, recycling, processing, and disposal statistics necessary for proper waste management and for reporting required by law. Prior to publishing proposed rules, the commissioner shall submit draft rules to the senate and house committees having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and environment and natural resources finance for review and comment. Rules adopted under this subdivision apply to all persons and units of government in the state for the purpose of collecting and reporting waste-related statistics requested under or required by law.
History:
1980 c 564 art 2 s 4; 1981 c 356 s 119,248; 1983 c 289 s 115 subd 1; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 18; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1992 c 593 art 1 s 9; 1995 c 247 art 2 s 2; 1996 c 470 s 27; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.0716 — Environmental Assistance Grant And Loan Program.

115A.0716 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1.
Grants.
(a) The commissioner may make grants to any person for the purpose of researching, developing, and implementing projects or practices related to collection, processing, recycling, reuse, resource recovery, source reduction, and prevention of waste, hazardous substances, toxic pollutants, and problem materials; the development or implementation of pollution prevention projects or practices; the collection, recovery, processing, purchasing, or market development of recyclable materials or compost; resource conservation; and for environmental education.
(b) In making grants, the agency may give priority to projects or practices that have broad application in the state and are consistent with the policies established under sections 115A.02 and 115D.02.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules to administer the grant program.
(d) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "pollution prevention" has the meaning given it in section 115D.03;
(2) "toxic pollutant" has the meaning given it in section 115D.03; and
(3) "hazardous substance" has the meaning given it in section 115D.03.
Subd. 2.
Loans.
(a) The commissioner may make loans, or participate in loans, for capital costs or improvements related to any of the activities listed in subdivision 1.
(b) The commissioner may work with financial institutions or other financial assistance providers in participating in loans under this section. The commissioner may contract with financial institutions or other financial assistance providers for loan processing and/or administration.
(c) The commissioner may also make grants, as authorized in subdivision 1, to enable persons to receive loans from financial institutions or to reduce interest payments for those loans.
(d) In making loans, the agency may give priority to projects or practices that have broad application in the state and are consistent with the policies established under sections 115A.02 and 115D.02.
(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules to administer the loan program.
Subd. 3.
Revolving account.
All repayments of loans awarded under this section, including principal and interest, must be credited to the environmental fund. Money deposited in the fund under this section is annually appropriated to the commissioner for loans for purposes identified in subdivisions 1 and 2.
History:
1996 c 470 s 6; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 122; 2003 c 128 art 2 s 5; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161; 2006 c 212 art 3 s 8
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.072 — Public Education.

115A.072 PUBLIC EDUCATION.
Subdivision 1.
Environmental education programs.
The commissioner shall provide for the development and implementation of environmental education programs that are designed to meet the goals listed in section 115A.073.
Subd. 2.
Waste management education.
In addition to the commissioner's general duties established in subdivision 1, the commissioner shall:
(1) develop a statewide waste management public education campaign with materials that may be easily adapted by political subdivisions to meet their program needs; and
(2) develop and make available to schools educational curricula on waste education for grades kindergarten to 12 to address at least waste reduction, recycling, litter, and proper management and disposal of problem materials.
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 1996 c 470 s 28]
Subd. 4.
Waste reduction and reuse program; procurement.
The commissioner shall include: (1) waste reduction and reuse, including packaging reduction and reuse; and (2) the hazards of open burning, as defined in section 88.01, of mixed municipal solid waste, especially the hazards of dioxin emissions to children, as elements of the commissioner's program of public education on waste management required under this section. The waste reduction and reuse education program must include dissemination of information and may include an award program for model waste reduction and reuse efforts. Waste reduction and reuse educational efforts must also include provision of information about and promotion of the model procurement program developed by the commissioner of administration under section 115A.15, subdivision 7, or any other model procurement program that results in significant waste reduction and reuse.
History:
1987 c 348 s 4; 1Sp1989 c 1 art 21 s 1; 1991 c 345 art 2 s 19; 1994 c 480 s 7; 1994 c 585 s 4; 1994 c 639 art 5 s 3; 1995 c 247 art 1 s 4,5; art 2 s 3; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 9 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 2003 c 130 s 12; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 128,161; 2011 c 76 art 1 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.073 — Environmental Education Goals And Plan.

115A.073 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GOALS AND PLAN.
The environmental education program described in this section and section 115A.074 has these goals for the pupils and other citizens of this state:
(a) Pupils and citizens should be able to apply informed decision-making processes to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. In order to do so, citizens should:
(1) understand ecological systems;
(2) understand the cause and effect relationship between human attitudes and behavior and the environment;
(3) be able to evaluate alternative responses to environmental issues before deciding on alternative courses of action; and
(4) understand the effects of multiple uses of the environment.
(b) Pupils and citizens shall have access to information and experiences needed to make informed decisions about actions to take on environmental issues.
(c) For the purposes of this section and section 115A.074, "state plan" means "Greenprint for Minnesota: A State Plan for Environmental Education."
History:
1990 c 595 s 1; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 32; 1993 c 374 s 22; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 11 s 3,20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 98,103; art 11 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.074 — Environmental Education Resource Centers.

115A.074 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTERS.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment.
The commissioner may establish environmental education resource centers throughout the state as needed. The environmental education resource centers shall serve as a source of information and programs for citizens, provide ongoing contact with the public for feedback to the commissioner on regional environmental education issues and priorities, and serve as distribution centers for environmental education programs.
Subd. 2.
Duties.
The resource centers shall:
(1) implement the programs and priorities of the agency as defined in the plan;
(2) convey regional program priorities to the commissioner;
(3) evaluate regional implementation of environmental education programs and report to the commissioner on the evaluations;
(4) provide regional liaison and coordination for organizations, agencies, and individuals providing environmental education programs on particular issues;
(5) be a distribution and publicity center for agencies, environmental organizations, environmental learning center publications, programs, and services;
(6) be a central source of information for citizens interested in issues that are the responsibility of many agencies, boards, task forces, and organizations;
(7) provide technical assistance to local and state organizations and agencies on program design, promotion, and publicity to reach the chosen target audiences; and
(8) assist the service cooperatives by collecting and distributing environmental education teaching materials, displays, computer programs, resource person lists, and audio-visual aids, and provide assistance with teacher training workshops and programs on request.
History:
1990 c 595 s 6; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 138; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.075 — Legislative Policy Against Disposal Of Hazardous Waste.

115A.075 LEGISLATIVE POLICY AGAINST DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE.
(a) The legislature finds that hazardous waste must be managed in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state and protects and conserves the state's natural resources and environment; that reduction of the amount of waste generated and processing, treatment, separation, and resource recovery are the preferred methods to manage hazardous waste; and that disposal of hazardous waste should be used only as a last resort when all other management methods are ineffective, and then only if an environmentally suitable site can be identified in the state.
(b) The agency, in its planning, facility approval, and other activities related to hazardous waste shall give first priority to eliminating the generation of hazardous waste and eliminating or reducing the hazardous character of the waste generated in the state through processing, treatment, separation, and resource recovery.
History:
1984 c 644 s 4; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.10 — Duties Of Pollution Control Agency; Hazardous Waste Facilities; Encouraging Private Enterprise.

115A.10 DUTIES OF POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY; HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES; ENCOURAGING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.
The agency and the commissioner on behalf of the agency shall encourage the development and operation of hazardous waste facilities by private enterprise to the extent practicable and consistent with the purposes of sections 115A.01 to 115A.72 and the agency's hazardous waste management plan adopted pursuant to section 115A.11. In adopting the management plan, and in its actions and decisions under sections 115A.18 to 115A.30 and 115A.32 to 115A.39, the agency and the commissioner on behalf of the agency shall solicit the active participation of private waste management firms and shall so conduct its activities as to encourage private permit applications for facilities needed in the state.
History:
1980 c 564 art 2 s 7; 1983 c 373 s 14; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 27; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.121 — Toxics And Pollution Prevention Evaluation; Consolidated Report.

115A.121 TOXICS AND POLLUTION PREVENTION EVALUATION; CONSOLIDATED REPORT.
The commissioner shall prepare and adopt a report on pollution prevention activities required in chapters 115A, 115D, and 325E. The report must include activities required under section 115A.1320. The commissioner must submit the report to the senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources by December 31, 2013, and every four years thereafter.
History:
2012 c 272 s 63
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1322 — Other Recycling Programs.

115A.1322 OTHER RECYCLING PROGRAMS.
A city, county, or other public agency may not require households to use public facilities to recycle their covered electronic devices to the exclusion of other lawful programs available. Cities, counties, and other public agencies, including those awarded contracts by the agency under section 115A.1314, subdivision 2, are encouraged to work with manufacturers to assist them in meeting their recycling obligations under section 115A.1318, subdivision 1. Nothing in sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 prohibits or restricts the operation of any program recycling covered electronic devices in addition to those provided by manufacturers or prohibits or restricts any persons from receiving, collecting, transporting, or recycling covered electronic devices, provided that those persons are registered under section 115A.1312.
History:
2007 c 48 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1323 — Anticompetitive Conduct.

115A.1323 ANTICOMPETITIVE CONDUCT.
(a) A manufacturer that organizes collection or recycling under sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1322 is authorized to engage in anticompetitive conduct to the extent necessary to plan and implement its chosen organized collection or recycling system and is immune from liability under state laws relating to antitrust, restraint of trade, unfair trade practices, and other regulation of trade or commerce.
(b) An organization of manufacturers, an individual manufacturer, and its officers, members, employees, and agents who cooperate with a political subdivision that organizes collection or recycling under this section are authorized to engage in anticompetitive conduct to the extent necessary to plan and implement the organized collection or recycling system, provided that the political subdivision actively supervises the participation of each entity. An organization, entity, or person covered by this paragraph is immune from liability under state law relating to antitrust, restraint of trade, unfair trade practices, and other regulation of trade or commerce.
History:
2007 c 48 s 8; 2016 c 166 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1324 — Requirements For Purchases By State Agencies.

115A.1324 REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASES BY STATE AGENCIES.
(a) The Department of Administration must ensure that acquisitions of video display devices under chapter 16C are in compliance with or not subject to sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318.
(b) The solicitation documents must specify that the prospective responder is required to cooperate fully in providing reasonable access to its records and documents that evidence compliance with paragraph (a) and sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318.
(c) Any person awarded a contract under chapter 16C for purchase or lease of video display devices that is found to be in violation of paragraph (a) or sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318 is subject to the following sanctions:
(1) the contract must be voided if the commissioner of administration determines that the potential adverse impact to the state is exceeded by the benefit obtained from voiding the contract;
(2) the contractor is subject to suspension and disbarment under Minnesota Rules, part 1230.1150; and
(3) if the attorney general establishes that any money, property, or benefit was obtained by a contractor as a result of violating paragraph (a) or sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318, the court may, in addition to any other remedy, order the disgorgement of the unlawfully obtained money, property, or benefit.
History:
2007 c 48 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1326 — Regulating Video Display Devices.

115A.1326 REGULATING VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICES.
If the United States Environmental Protection Agency adopts regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regarding the handling, storage, or treatment of any type of video display device being recycled, those regulations are automatically effective in this state on the same date and supersede any rules previously adopted by the agency regarding the handling, storage, or treatment of all video display devices being recycled.
History:
2007 c 48 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1328 — Multistate Implementation.

115A.1328 MULTISTATE IMPLEMENTATION.
The agency and department are authorized to participate in the establishment of a regional multistate organization or compact to assist in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.
History:
2007 c 48 s 11
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.1330 — Limitations.

115A.1330 LIMITATIONS.
Sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 expire if a federal law, or combination of federal laws, take effect that is applicable to all video display devices sold in the United States and establish a program for the collection and recycling or reuse of video display devices that is applicable to all video display devices discarded by households.
History:
2007 c 48 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.142 — Report To Legislature And Governor.

115A.142 REPORT TO LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR.
As part of the report required under section 115A.121, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall provide a report to the governor and the legislature on the implementation of section 115A.1415.
History:
2013 c 114 art 4 s 79
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.151 — Recycling Requirements; Public Entities; Commercial Buildings; Sports Facilities.

115A.151 RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS; PUBLIC ENTITIES; COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS; SPORTS FACILITIES.
(a) A public entity, the owner of a sports facility, and an owner of a commercial building shall:
(1) ensure that facilities under its control, from which mixed municipal solid waste is collected, also collect at least three recyclable materials, such as, but not limited to, paper, glass, plastic, and metal; and
(2) transfer all recyclable materials collected to a recycler.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "public entity" means the state, an office, agency, or institution of the state, the Metropolitan Council, a metropolitan agency, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission, the legislature, the courts, a county, a statutory or home rule charter city, a town, a school district, a special taxing district, or any entity that receives an appropriation from the state for a capital improvement project after August 1, 2002;
(2) "metropolitan agency" and "Metropolitan Council" have the meanings given them in section 473.121;
(3) "Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission" means the commission created in section 473.702;
(4) "commercial building" means a building that:
(i) is located in a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121;
(ii) contains a business classified in sectors 42 to 81 under the North American Industrial Classification System; and
(iii) contracts for four cubic yards or more per week of solid waste collection; and
(5) "sports facility" means a professional or collegiate sports facility at which competitions take place before a public audience.
History:
1Sp1989 c 1 art 18 s 9; 1991 c 337 s 12; 1996 c 457 s 10; 2002 c 312 s 2; 2014 c 225 s 4; 2014 c 312 art 13 s 24
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.18 — Legislative Findings; Purpose.

115A.18 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
The legislature finds that proper management of hazardous waste generated in the state is needed to conserve and protect the natural resources in the state and the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, that the establishment of safe commercial disposal facilities in the state may be necessary and practicable to properly manage the waste, that this cannot be accomplished solely by the activities of private persons and political subdivisions acting alone or jointly, and that therefore it is necessary to provide a procedure for making final determinations on whether commercial stabilization and containment facilities should be established in the state and on the locations, sizes, types, and functions of any such facilities.
History:
1980 c 564 art 3 s 1; 1984 c 644 s 17; 1986 c 425 s 47
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.19 — Procedure Not Exclusive.

115A.19 PROCEDURE NOT EXCLUSIVE.
Except as provided in Minnesota Statutes 1980, section 115A.21, subdivision 1, the procedure established by sections 115A.18 to 115A.30 for the permitting of hazardous waste stabilization and containment facilities shall not preclude the issuance of permits by the agency pursuant to section 116.07 for stabilization and containment facilities at sites not reviewed under sections 115A.18 to 115A.30.
History:
1980 c 564 art 3 s 2; 1981 c 352 s 12; 1986 c 425 s 47
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.192 — Request For Proposals; Stabilization And Containment Facility.

115A.192 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS; STABILIZATION AND CONTAINMENT FACILITY.
Subdivision 1.
Request for proposals.
The commissioner shall issue requests for proposals for the development and operation of a stabilization and containment facility. The request must be designed to obtain detailed information about the qualifications of a respondent to develop and operate the facility; the capital and operating costs of the facility and the sources and methods by which the respondent plans to finance the facility; the technical specifications of the proposed facility and the technologies to be employed for processing, stabilization, containment, and monitoring; the requirements of the site for the proposed facility; the schedule for developing and commencing operation of the facility; and other matters which the commissioner deems necessary for the agency to evaluate and select a developer and operator for the facility. Before issuing the requests, the commissioner shall prepare a draft of clauses (1) to (5) of the report required by section 115A.193, paragraph (a). The draft must accompany the requests for proposals.
Subd. 2.
Selection of developer; procedure.
After evaluating responses to the request for proposals and before selecting a site as provided in section 115A.194, the agency shall decide whether to select a developer for a stabilization and containment facility. If the agency selects a developer it shall proceed as provided in section 115A.194 to select a site for the development of a facility. If the agency decides not to select a developer, the agency shall proceed as provided in section 115A.194 to select and acquire a site for potential future development of a facility.
History:
1986 c 425 s 25; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161; 2023 c 25 s 30
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection › Chapter 115A — Waste Management › Section 115A.193 — Report On Facility Development.

115A.193 REPORT ON FACILITY DEVELOPMENT.
(a) The commissioner shall prepare a report concerning the development of a stabilization and containment facility. The report must include:
(1) a conceptual plan that describes and evaluates the proposed design and operation of the facility, including an evaluation of technical feasibility, a description and evaluation of the types and quantities of hazardous waste and nonhazardous residual waste from hazardous waste processing that the facility would be designed to accept, and a description and evaluation of technologies needed or desired at the facility for processing, stabilization, and containment, including above grade containment;
(2) procedures and standards for the operation of the facility that require the use of reduction, recycling, and recovery of any hazardous waste before the waste is accepted for stabilization when the alternative or additional management method is feasible and prudent and would materially reduce adverse impact on human health and the environment;
(3) evaluation of the design and use of the facility for processing, stabilization, or containment of industrial waste, including technical and regulatory issues and alternative management methods;
(4) evaluation of feasible and prudent technologies that may substantially reduce the possibility of migration of any hazardous constituents of wastes that the facility would be designed to accept;
(5) a general analysis of the necessary and desirable physical, locational, and other characteristics of a site for the facility;
(6) an evaluation of the prospects of and conditions required for the regulatory delisting of residual waste from hazardous waste processing;
(7) an evaluation of the feasibility of an interstate, regional approach to the management of hazardous waste; and
(8) an economic feasibility analysis of the development and operation of the facility, including the anticipated use of the facility by Minnesota generators from within and outside the state, and sources of private and public financing that may be available or necessary for development or operation.
(b) The commissioner shall submit a draft of the report to the agency before executing contracts under section 115A.191.
History:
1986 c 425 s 26; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161; 2007 c 13 art 1 s 7