Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY › Division 10 - Adjutant General › Chapter 11 - State Emergency Management Agency › Section 11 CSR 10-11.210 - General Organization Missouri Emergency Response Commission

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule explains the formation of the
				  Missouri Emergency Response Commission and its responsibilities under the
				  Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Also explained is how to
				  obtain additional information regarding these activities and where to make
				  submittals.
(1) The
				Department of Public Safety is authorized under sections 292.600-292.625, RSMo
				to administer the state and the federal Emergency Planning and Community
				Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has
				been designated by the Department of Public Safety to provide the day-to-day
				operation and oversight of the Missouri Emergency Response Commission (MERC)
				the EPCRA Program and the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)
				Program.
(2) The Missouri Emergency
				Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA or sections 292.600-292.625,
				RSMo) and the federal EPCRA ( P.L. 99-499 ) are administered in Missouri by the
				Missouri Department of Public Safety in conjunction with the Missouri Emergency
				Response Commission (MERC). MERC was first established in 1987 by Executive
				Order of the Governor and was later established under statute in 1988 and
				revised in 1992. The commission resides within the Missouri Department of
				Public Safety. The commission in conjunction with the department is responsible
				for-
(A) Carrying out the responsibilities
				assigned under the federal EPCRA and the state Act (sections 292.600-292.625,
				RSMo);
(B) Designating Local
				Emergency Planning Districts (LEPD), appointing a Local Emergency Planning
				Committee (LEPC) to each district; coordinating, supporting and supervising
				LEPC activities and reviewing and commenting on LEPC plans;
(C) Establishing a single filing point for
				all state and federal EPCRA information;
(D) Accepting, receiving and administering
				grants and gifts, including those from the federal government, for carrying out
				the purposes of the law;
(E)
				Providing assistance to LEPCs for carrying out responsibilities under the state
				and federal EPCRA laws;
(F)
				Providing training to LEPCs and others;
(G) Entering into agreements with other
				persons or agencies to carry out the requirements of the state and federal
				EPCRA legislation;
(H) Collecting
				and allotting funds as specified in sections
				292.604
				and
				292.606,
				RSMo;
(I) Developing a data
				management system to store and retrieve EPCRA information. Assisting LEPCs,
				fire departments and others to make this information readily available for
				planning and emergency response purposes; and
(J) In addition to subsections (2)(A)-(J),
				the director of the Department of Public Safety or authorized representative
				has the responsibility and authority under sections 292.600-292.625, RSMo to-
1. Promulgate rules to carry out Missouri's
				EPCRA and to meet the reporting requirements of the federal EPCRA;
2. Exercise general supervision of the
				administration and enforcement of the state EPCRA and all rules adopted under
				it;
3. Hire staff, within
				appropriations, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the state
				EPCRA;
4. Budget and receive
				appropriated moneys to carry out the state EPCRA;
5. Accept, receive, and administer gifts and
				grants, including those from the federal government, to carry out the purposes
				of the state EPCRA;
6. Work with
				LEPCs to carry out the purposes of the state EPCRA; and
7. Administer the Chemical Emergency
				Preparedness Fund established in section
				292.607,
				RSMo, in conjunction with the commission.