LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998-R01- SB.docx 1 of 21 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 998 January Session, 2019 AN ACT CONCERNING MI NOR REVISIONS TO ENVIRONMENT RELATED STATUTES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Subsections (d) and (e) of section 15-154 of the general 1 statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2 (Effective from passage): 3 (d) Upon the immediate approach of a law enforcement vessel using 4 an audible signal device [and] or flashing blue lights or a fire rescue 5 vessel using an audible signal device [and] or flashing red or yellow 6 lights, any person operating a vessel shall immediately slow to a speed 7 sufficient to maintain steerage only, shall alter course, within its 8 ability, so as not to inhibit or interfere with the operation of the law 9 enforcement vessel or fire rescue vessel, and shall proceed, unless 10 otherwise directed by an officer in the law enforcement vessel or fire 11 rescue vessel, at a reduced speed until beyond the area of operation of 12 the law enforcement vessel or fire rescue vessel. Any person operating 13 a vessel who wilfully or negligently obstructs or retards any law 14 enforcement or fire rescue vessel answering an emergency call or in 15 pursuit of fleeing law violators shall be fined not more than two 16 hundred fifty dollars. 17 (e) Any person operating a vessel passing within two hundred feet 18 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 2 of 21 of a stationary law enforcement vessel using an audible signal device 19 [and] or flashing blue lights or a stationary fire rescue vessel using 20 flashing red or yellow lights shall reduce speed to a speed of slow-no-21 wake until there is a distance of more than two hundred feet between 22 such person's vessel and the law enforcement vessel or fire rescue 23 vessel. For purposes of this subsection, "slow-no-wake" means 24 operation of a vessel at a speed that does not produce more than a 25 minimum wake and is not greater than six miles per hour over ground, 26 unless a higher minimum speed is necessary to maintain steerage 27 when traveling with a strong current. 28 Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 22a-6o of the general statutes is 29 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 30 passage): 31 (b) The applicant or licensee and the proposed transferee shall 32 register any such proposed transfer of an application for a license or a 33 license, as applicable, with the commissioner within thirty days of the 34 transfer of ownership of the facility for which the license is sought or 35 has been issued. Such registration shall be on forms to be prescribed by 36 the commissioner and accompanied by a fee established by the 37 commissioner to cover costs of processing the transfer of the 38 application for a license or the license, as applicable. Upon receipt of a 39 registration of a proposed transfer of an application for a license or a 40 license pursuant to this section, if the commissioner determines that 41 the transferee is able to comply with the terms and conditions of the 42 application for a license or license, as applicable, the commissioner 43 shall send a notice to the applicant for a license or the licensee, as 44 applicable, and the proposed transferee which confirms the 45 registration and acknowledges the applicability of the application for a 46 license or license to the transferee. The commissioner may include in 47 such transferred license any new conditions as may be necessary to 48 enable the transferee to comply with the original terms and conditions 49 of the license. 50 Sec. 3. Subsections (c) and (d) of section 22a-58 of the general 51 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 3 of 21 statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 52 (Effective from passage): 53 (c) Private applicators shall maintain a record with respect to each 54 use of restricted use pesticides, which shall include, but not be limited 55 to, the following information: (1) The name of the applicator, (2) the 56 kind and amount of pesticide used, (3) the date and place of 57 application, and (4) the crop or site treated and the amount of acreage 58 treated. [A copy of the record shall be submitted to the commissioner 59 on or before January thirty-first for the preceding calendar year in 60 which the application was made.] Such record shall be: (A) Compiled 61 in a format that may be prescribed by the commissioner, (B) 62 maintained by the private applicator for a period of not less than five 63 years from the date the record is made, and (C) made available to the 64 commissioner upon request. 65 (d) Commercial applicators shall maintain records with respect to 66 their use of and supervision of the use of pesticides. Such records shall 67 be maintained for not less than five years after the date of application 68 and shall include, but not be limited to, the (1) name and certification 69 number of the commercial supervisor and the commercial operator, (2) 70 kind and amount of pesticide used, (3) date and place of application, 71 (4) pest treated for, and (5) crop or site treated. [A summary of the 72 items maintained under subdivisions (1) and (2) shall be submitted to 73 the commissioner on or before January thirty-first for the preceding 74 calendar year in which the application was made on such form as the 75 commissioner may prescribe.] Such records shall be: (A) Compiled in a 76 format that may be prescribed by the commissioner, (B) maintained by 77 the commercial applicator for a period of not less than five years from 78 the date such records are made, and (C) made available to the 79 commissioner upon request. 80 Sec. 4. Section 22a-66g of the general statutes is repealed and the 81 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 82 (a) A pesticide application business shall maintain records for not 83 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 4 of 21 less than five years from the date such record is made or amended, 84 whichever is later. The record shall indicate: 85 (1) For each application of a pesticide made on behalf of the 86 business, (A) the name and certification number of the commercial 87 supervisor and the commercial operator, (B) the kind and amount of 88 pesticide used and the amount of acreage treated, if applicable, (C) the 89 date and place of application, (D) the pest treated for, and (E) the crop 90 or site treated; 91 (2) A list of the names and corresponding Environmental Protection 92 Agency registration numbers of any pesticide applied by the business; 93 and 94 (3) The name and applicator certification number of each certified 95 commercial pesticide applicator, operator or supervisory, who is an 96 employee or agent of the business, and a list of the types of 97 applications which each is performing. 98 (b) Information required under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of 99 this section may be kept separately from the records required by 100 subdivision (1) of said subsection or may be integrated with such 101 records by including on the record of each pesticide application the full 102 name and Environmental Protection Agency registration number of 103 the pesticide used. 104 (c) All records and information required to be kept pursuant to this 105 section shall be kept at the registrant's place of business, shall be made 106 available to the commissioner upon request and may be inspected by 107 the commissioner pursuant to section 22a-59. If the registrant's place of 108 business is outside of the state, the records and information shall be 109 made available to the commissioner at a location in the state not more 110 than ten days after receipt of a request for inspection from the 111 commissioner. 112 (d) A pesticide application business shall, upon written request, 113 provide a customer with a copy of the record which is required to be 114 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 5 of 21 kept pursuant to this section and which pertains to a pesticide 115 application performed for that customer. 116 Sec. 5. Subsection (c) of section 22-11h of the general statutes is 117 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 118 passage): 119 (c) Individual structures used for aquaculture as defined in section 120 22-11c, including, but not limited to, racks, cages or bags, as well as 121 buoys marking such structures, which [do not otherwise require] have 122 a permit under federal Army Corps of Engineers regulations and do 123 not interfere with navigation in designated or customary boating or 124 shipping lanes and channels, shall be placed in leased or designated 125 shellfish areas and shall be exempt from the requirements of sections 126 22a-359 to 22a-363f, inclusive. 127 Sec. 6. Section 22a-73 of the general statutes is repealed and the 128 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 129 (a) To carry out and effectuate the purposes and policies of this 130 chapter it is the public policy of the state to encourage municipal 131 participation by means of regulation of activities causing noise 132 pollution within the territorial limits of the various municipalities. To 133 that end, any municipality may develop and establish a 134 comprehensive program of noise regulation. Such program may 135 include a study of the noise problems resulting from uses and activities 136 within its jurisdiction and its development and adoption of a noise 137 control ordinance. 138 (b) Any municipality may adopt, amend and enforce a noise control 139 ordinance which may include the following: (1) Noise levels which 140 will not be exceeded in specified zones or other designated areas; (2) 141 designation of a noise control officer and the designation of an existing 142 board or commission, or the establishment of a new board or 143 commission to direct such program; (3) implementation procedures of 144 such program and the relation of such program to other plans within 145 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 6 of 21 the jurisdiction of the municipality; (4) procedures for assuring 146 compliance with state and federal noise regulations; (5) noise level 147 restrictions applicable to construction activities, including limitation on 148 on-site hours of operation. 149 (c) [No ordinance shall be effective until such ordinance has been 150 approved by the commissioner. No] Any such ordinance shall be 151 [approved unless it is in conformity with] at least as stringent as any 152 state noise control plan, including ambient noise standards, adopted 153 pursuant to section 22a-69 or any standards or regulations adopted by 154 the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection 155 Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574) or any 156 amendment thereto. Notwithstanding the provisions of this 157 subsection, any municipality may adopt m ore stringent noise 158 standards than those adopted by the commissioner. [, provided such 159 standards are approved by the commissioner.] 160 Sec. 7. Section 23-53 of the general statutes is repealed and the 161 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 162 The Governor on behalf of this state is authorized to enter into a 163 compact, substantially in the following form, with any one or more of 164 the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, 165 Rhode Island and Vermont and with such other states of the United 166 States or provinces of the Dominion of Canada as may legally join 167 therein: 168 NORTHEASTERN INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE 169 PROTECTION COMPACT 170 ARTICLE I 171 The purpose of this compact is to promote effective prevention and 172 control of forest fires in the northeastern region of the United States 173 and adjacent areas in Canada by the development of integrated forest 174 fire plans, by the maintenance of adequate forest fire fighting services 175 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 7 of 21 by the member states, by providing for mutual aid in fighting forest 176 fires among the states of the region and for procedures that will 177 facilitate such aid, and by the establishment of a central agency to 178 coordinate the services of member states and perform such common 179 services as member states may deem desirable. 180 ARTICLE II 181 This agreement shall become operative immediately as to those 182 states ratifying it whenever any two or more of the states of Maine, 183 New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and 184 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have ratified it and the Congress 185 has given its consent. Any state not mentioned in this article which is 186 contiguous with any member state may become a party to this 187 compact. Subject to the consent of the Congress of the United States, 188 any province of the Dominion of Canada which is contiguous with any 189 member state may become a party to this compact by taking such 190 action as its laws and the laws of the Dominion of Canada may 191 prescribe for ratification. In this event, the term "state" in this compact 192 shall include within its meaning the term "province" and the 193 procedures prescribed shall be applied in the instance of such 194 provinces, in accordance with the forms and practices of the Canadian 195 government. 196 ARTICLE III 197 Each state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a 198 commission hereby designated as the Northeastern Forest Fire 199 Protection Commission. One shall be the state forester or officer 200 holding an equivalent position in such state who is responsible for 201 forest fire control. The second shall be a member of the legislature of 202 such state designated by the commission or committee on interstate 203 cooperation of such state, or if there be none, or if said commission on 204 interstate cooperation cannot constitutionally designate the said 205 member, such legislator shall be designated by the governor thereof; 206 provided that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator 207 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 8 of 21 as a commissioner from such state, the second member shall be 208 appointed by the governor of said state in his discretion. The third 209 member shall be a person designated by the governor as the 210 responsible representative of the governor. In the event that any 211 province of the Dominion of Canada shall become a member of this 212 commission, it shall designate three members who will approximate 213 this pattern of representation to the extent possible under the law and 214 practices of such province. This commission shall be a body corporate 215 with the powers and duties set forth herein. 216 ARTICLE IV 217 It shall be the duty of the commission to make inquiry and ascertain 218 from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and 219 conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the prevention and 220 control of forest fires in the area comprising the member states, to 221 coordinate the forest fire plans and the work of the appropriate 222 agencies of the member states and to facilitate the rendering of aid by 223 the member states to each other in fighting forest fires. 224 The commission shall formulate and, in accordance with need, from 225 time to time, revise a regional forest fire plan for the entire region 226 covered by the compact which shall serve as a common forest fire plan 227 for that area. 228 The commission shall, more than one month prior to any regular 229 meeting of the legislature in any signatory state, present to the 230 governor and to the legislature of the state its recommendations 231 relating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in 232 furthering the interests and purposes of this compact. 233 The commission shall consult with and advise the appropriate 234 administrative agencies of the states party hereto with regard to 235 problems connected with the prevention and control of forest fires and 236 recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable. 237 The commission shall have power to recommend to the signatory 238 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 9 of 21 states any and all measures that will effectuate the prevention and 239 control of forest fires. 240 ARTICLE V 241 Any two or more member states may designate the Northeastern 242 Forest Fire Protection Commission as a joint agency to maintain such 243 common services as those states deem desirable for the prevention and 244 control of forest fires. Except in those cases where all member states 245 join in such designation for common services, the representatives of 246 any group of such designating states in the Northeastern Forest Fire 247 Protection Commission shall constitute a separate section of such 248 commission for the performance of the common service or services so 249 designated provided that, if any additional expense is involved, the 250 state so acting shall appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose. 251 The creation of such a section as a joint agency shall not affect the 252 privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties of the states participating 253 therein as embodied in the other articles of this compact. 254 ARTICLE VI 255 The commission may request the United States Forest Service to act 256 as the primary research and coordinating agency of the Northeastern 257 Forest Fire Protection Commission, in cooperation with the 258 appropriate agencies in each state and the United States Forest Service 259 may accept the initial responsibility in preparing and presenting to the 260 commission its recommendations with respect to the regional fire plan. 261 Representatives of the United States Forest Service may attend 262 meetings of the commission and of groups of member states. 263 ARTICLE VII 264 The commission shall annually elect from its members a chairman 265 and a vice-chairman. The commission shall appoint such officers or 266 employees as may be required to carry the provisions of this compact 267 into effect, shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and 268 compensation, and may at its pleasure, remove or discharge any such 269 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 10 of 21 officer or employee. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations 270 for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or 271 more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any 272 time or place but must meet at least once a year. 273 A majority of the members of the commission representing a 274 majority of the signatory states shall constitute a quorum for the 275 transaction of its general business, but no action of the commission 276 imposing any obligation on any signatory state shall be binding unless 277 a majority of the members from such signatory state shall have voted 278 in favor thereof. For the purpose of conducting its general business, 279 voting shall be by state units. 280 The representatives of any two or more member states, upon notice 281 to the chairman as to the time and purpose of the meeting, may meet 282 as a section for the discussion of problems common to those states. 283 Sections established by groups of member states shall have the same 284 powers with respect to officers, employees and the maintenance of 285 offices as are granted by this article to the commission. Sections may 286 adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as may be necessary for 287 the conduct of their business. 288 ARTICLE VIII 289 It shall be the duty of each member state to formulate and put in 290 effect a forest fire plan for that state and to take such measures as may 291 be recommended by the commission to integrate such forest fire plan 292 with regional forest fire plan. 293 Whenever the state forest fire control agency of a member state 294 requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other 295 member state in combatting, controlling or preventing forest fires, it 296 shall be the duty of the state forest fire control agency of that state to 297 render all possible aid to the requesting agency which is consonant 298 with the maintenance of protection at home. 299 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 11 of 21 Each signatory state agrees to render aid to the Forest Service or 300 other agencies of the government of the United States in combatting, 301 controlling or preventing forest fires in areas under their jurisdiction 302 located within the member state or a contiguous member state. 303 ARTICLE IX 304 Whenever the forces of any member state are rendering outside aid 305 pursuant to the request of another member state under this compact, 306 the employees of such state shall, under the direction of the officers of 307 the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same powers 308 (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges and immunities 309 as comparable employees of the state to which they are rendering aid. 310 No member state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid 311 pursuant to this compact shall be liable on account of any act or 312 omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of 313 the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection 314 therewith. 315 All liability that may arise either under the laws of the requesting 316 state or under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third 317 state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be 318 assumed and borne by the requesting state. 319 Any member state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact 320 shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving such aid for any 321 loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any 322 equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of all 323 materials, transportation, wages, salaries, and maintenance of 324 employees and equipment incurred in connection with such request. 325 Provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any assisting 326 member state from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost 327 or from loaning such equipment or from donating such services to the 328 receiving member state without charge or cost. 329 Each member state shall provide for the payment of compensation 330 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 12 of 21 and death benefits to injured employees and the representatives of 331 deceased employees in case employees sustain injuries or are killed 332 while rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact, in the same 333 manner and on the same terms as if the injury or death were sustained 334 within such state. 335 For the purposes of this compact the term employee shall include 336 any volunteer or auxiliary legally included within the forest fire 337 fighting forces of the aiding state under the laws thereof. 338 The commission shall formulate procedures for claims and 339 reimbursement under the provisions of this article. 340 Aid by a member state to an area subject to federal jurisdiction 341 beyond the borders of such state shall not be required under this 342 compact unless substantially the same provisions of this article relative 343 to powers, liabilities, losses and expenses in connection with such aid 344 are embodied in federal laws. 345 The provisions of this article that relate to the rendering of outside 346 aid in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires shall be 347 applicable to the provision of such aid by any state that is party to this 348 compact to any other state that is party to a regional forest fire 349 protection compact in another region provided the legislature of such 350 other state assents to the outside aid provisions of this compact. 351 ARTICLE X 352 When appropriations for the support of this commission or for the 353 support of common services maintained by the commission or a 354 section thereof under the provisions of article V are necessary, the 355 commission or a section thereof shall allocate the costs among the 356 states affected with consideration of the amounts of forested land in 357 those states that will receive protection from the service to be rendered 358 and the extent of the forest fire problem involved in each state, and 359 shall submit its recommendations accordingly to the legislatures of the 360 affected states. 361 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 13 of 21 The commission shall submit to the governor of each state, at such 362 time as he may request, a budget of its estimated expenditures for such 363 period as may be required by the laws of such state for presentation to 364 the legislature thereof. 365 The commission shall keep accurate books of account, showing in 366 full its receipts and disbursements, and said books of account shall be 367 open at any reasonable time to the inspection of such representatives 368 of the respective signatory states as may be duly constituted for that 369 purpose. 370 On or before the first day of December of each year, the commission 371 shall submit to the respective governors of the signatory states a full 372 and complete report of its activities for the preceding year. 373 ARTICLE XI 374 The representatives from any member state may appoint and 375 consult with an advisory committee composed of persons interested in 376 forest fire protection. 377 The commission may appoint and consult wi th an advisory 378 committee of representatives of all affected groups, private and 379 governmental. 380 ARTICLE XII 381 The commission may accept any and all donations, gifts and grants 382 of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services from the federal 383 or any local government, or any agency thereof and from any person, 384 firm or corporation, for any of its purposes and functions under this 385 compact, and may receive and utilize the same subject to the terms, 386 conditions and regulations governing such donations, gifts and grants. 387 ARTICLE XIII 388 Nothing in this compact shall be construed to authorize or permit 389 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 14 of 21 any member state to curtail or diminish its forest fire fighting forces, 390 equipment, services or facilities, and it shall be the duty and 391 responsibility of each member state to maintain adequate forest fire 392 fighting forces and equipment to meet normal demands for forest fire 393 protection within its borders. 394 Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or restrict the 395 powers of any state ratifying the same to provide for the prevention, 396 control and extinguishment of forest fires, or to prohibit the enactment 397 or enforcement of state laws, rules or regulations intended to aid in 398 such prevention, control and extinguishment in such state. 399 Nothing in this compact shall be construed to affect any existing or 400 future cooperative relationship or arrangement between the United 401 States Forest Service and a member state or states. 402 ARTICLE XIV 403 This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each 404 state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state takes 405 action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until 406 six months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of 407 the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then 408 parties to the compact. 409 Sec. 8. Subsection (c) of section 23-65h of the general statutes is 410 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 411 passage): 412 (c) An application for the certification as a forest practitioner shall 413 be made to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection 414 and shall contain such information regarding the applicant's 415 qualifications and proposed operations and other relevant matters as 416 the commissioner deems necessary. 417 (1) The commissioner shall require the applicant for forester 418 certification to demonstrate, upon examination, that he possesses 419 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 15 of 21 adequate knowledge concerning the proper application of forest 420 management techniques, the ecological and environmental 421 consequences of harvesting activity and mitigating measures to be 422 employed to minimize possible adverse impacts on environmental 423 conditions within the harvest area. 424 (2) The commissioner shall require the applicant for supervising 425 forest products harvester certification to demonstrate, upon 426 examination, that [he] the applicant possesses adequate knowledge 427 concerning techniques and procedures normally employed in the 428 conduct and supervision of a harvest operation, the safe and 429 environmentally responsible operation of harvesting equipment, and 430 mitigating measures to be employed to minimize possible adverse 431 impacts of harvesting activity on environmental conditions within the 432 harvest area. 433 (3) The commissioner shall require the applicant for forest products 434 harvester certification to demonstrate, upon examination, that [he] the 435 applicant possesses adequate knowledge concerning techniques and 436 procedures normally employed in the conduct of a harvest operation 437 and the safe and environmentally responsible operation of harvesting 438 equipment, except that an applicant who demonstrates to th e 439 satisfaction of the commissioner that [he] the applicant has engaged in 440 commercial forest practices at least once per year for the ten years 441 immediately preceding October 1, 1991, shall be exempt from such 442 examination requirement. 443 (4) (A) If the commissioner finds that the applicant is competent 444 with respect to the required qualifications, including those provided in 445 section 23-65o, [he] the commissioner shall certify the applicant to 446 perform such forest practices as appropriate to the requested 447 certification. The certification shall be valid for a period not to exceed 448 five years and may be renewed by the commissioner with or without 449 further examination. The commissioner may establish regulations for 450 forest practitioner certification so that one-fifth of the certificates expire 451 each year. The commissioner may certify a forest practitioner for less 452 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 16 of 21 than five years and prorate the registration fee accordingly to 453 implement the regulations established pursuant to this subsection. 454 (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this 455 subdivision, the commissioner may grant a sixty-day extension for any 456 forest practitioner who failed to submit a complete application for 457 renewal prior to the expiration date of such forest practitioner's 458 certification. Such forest practitioner shall submit a complete 459 application for renewal within such sixty-day extension period. Any 460 renewed certification issued by the commissioner pursuant to this 461 subparagraph shall not require reexamination by such forest 462 practitioner prior to such issuance but shall require the submission of 463 an additional fee, as determined by the commissioner. 464 (5) If the commissioner finds that the applicant is not competent 465 with respect to the requirements for the requested certification, the 466 commissioner shall refuse to issue the applicant a certificate. The 467 commissioner shall inform the applicant of the refusal in writing, 468 giving the reasons for such refusal. Any person aggrieved by such 469 refusal may, within thirty days from date of issuance of such denial, 470 request a hearing before the commissioner, which hearing shall be 471 conducted in accordance with chapter 54. 472 (6) The commissioner may certify without examination any person 473 who is certified: [in] (A) In another state under a law which provides 474 substantially similar qualifications for certification and which grants 475 similar privileges of certification without examination to residents of 476 this state certified under the provisions of this section, or (B) through 477 examination by the Society of American Foresters, or a similar 478 organization, that provides substantially similar qualifications for 479 certification provided such person can demonstrate knowledge of the 480 forestry laws of this state to the commissioner's satisfaction. 481 (7) The commissioner may, by regulation, adopted in accordance 482 with the provisions of chapter 54, prescribe fees for applicants to 483 defray the cost of administering examinations and carrying out the 484 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 17 of 21 provisions of this chapter. A state or municipal employee who engages 485 in activities for which certification is required by this section solely as 486 part of his employment shall be exempt from payment of a fee. Any 487 certificate issued to a state or municipal employee for which a fee has 488 not been paid shall be void upon termination of such government 489 employment. 490 (8) The commissioner may require the display of a decal or other 491 evidence, indicating that a commercial forest practitioner has met the 492 requirements of sections 23-65f to 23-65o, inclusive, in a prominent 493 place on any licensed motor vehicle used in the practitioner's 494 operations. A fee may be charged to the certified practitioner to cover 495 the cost of the decal or other evidence. 496 (9) The commissioner shall require all forest practitioners certified 497 under sections 23-65f to 23-65o, inclusive, to participate [biennially] in 498 a relevant program of professional education to improve or maintain 499 professional forestry skills that is sponsored by the Department of 500 Energy and Environmental Protection, the New England Society of 501 American Foresters, The University of Connecticut, Yale University or 502 the Connecticut cooperative extension system, or participation in 503 another program approved by the department. Such professional 504 education shall take place during the recertification cycle and be in 505 accordance with the prescribed schedule set forth in regulations 506 adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. 507 Sec. 9. Section 23-65i of the general statutes is repealed and the 508 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 509 (a) Each certified forester, except any state employee who engages 510 in activities regulated by sections 23-65f to 23-65o, inclusive, solely as 511 part of his employment, shall submit an annual report to the 512 Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on or before 513 June first of each year in a form prescribed by the commissioner. Such 514 report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: 515 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 18 of 21 (1) The number of forest management plans completed and acres 516 covered by said plans; 517 (2) The number and type of timber stand improvements completed 518 and acres so improved; 519 (3) The number of acres planted in reforestation, afforestation and in 520 Christmas tree plantations; 521 (4) The number of commercial forest product sales, the total number 522 of acres harvested in such sales, the type and total volumes of products 523 generated by such sales and total annual expenditure for the purchase 524 of such sales; 525 (5) [Evidence] Attestation of [biennial] participation in a relevant 526 program of professional education to improve or maintain professional 527 forestry skills that is sponsored by the Department of Energy and 528 Environmental Protection, the New England Society of American 529 Foresters, The University of Connecticut, Yale University or the 530 Connecticut cooperative extension system, or participation in another 531 program approved by the department, provided proof of such 532 participation shall be furnished to the commissioner upon request and 533 be in accordance with the prescribed schedule set forth in regulations 534 adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and 535 (6) Other information which the commissioner deems necessary. 536 (b) Each certified supervising forest products harvester shall be 537 required to submit an annual report to the Commissioner of Energy 538 and Environmental Protection on or before June first of each year in a 539 form prescribed by the commissioner. Such report shall include, but 540 not be limited to, the following information: 541 (1) The number of commercial forest product sales harvested, and 542 the type and total volumes of products generated by such sales; 543 (2) [Evidence] Attestation of [biennial] participation in a relevant 544 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 19 of 21 program of professional education to improve or maintain forest 545 products harvesting skills that is sponsored by the Department of 546 Energy and Environmental Protection, the New England Society of 547 American Foresters, the University of Connecticut, Yale University, the 548 Connecticut cooperative extension system or is otherwise approved by 549 the department, provided proof of such participation shall be 550 furnished to the commissioner upon request and be in accordance with 551 the prescribed schedule set forth in regulations adopted in accordance 552 with the provisions of this chapter; and 553 (3) Other information which the commissioner deems necessary. 554 (c) All certified forest products harvesters shall be required to 555 submit to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, 556 on or before June first of each year, annual reports in a form prescribed 557 by the commissioner. Such reports shall include, but not be limited to, 558 the following information: 559 (1) [Evidence] Attestation of [biennial] participation in a relevant 560 program of professional education to improve or maintain forest 561 products harvesting skills that is sponsored by the Department of 562 Energy and Environmental Protection, the New England Society of 563 American Foresters, The University of Connecticut, Yale University, 564 the Connecticut cooperative extension system or is otherwise 565 approved by the department, provided proof of such participation 566 shall be furnished to the commissioner upon request and be in 567 accordance with the prescribed schedule set forth in regulations 568 adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and 569 (2) Other information the commissioner deems necessary. 570 Sec. 10. Subsection (f) of section 22a-54 of the general statutes is 571 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 572 passage): 573 (f) (1) The commissioner may, by regulation adopted pursuant to 574 the provisions of chapter 54, prescribe fees for applicants to defray the 575 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 20 of 21 cost of administering examinations and assisting in carrying out the 576 purposes of section 22a-451, except the fees for certification and 577 renewal of a certification shall be as follows: [(1)] (A) For supervisory 578 certification as a commercial applicator, two hundred eighty-five 579 dollars; [(2)] (B) for operational certification as a commercial 580 applicator, eighty dollars, and [(3)] (C) for certification as a private 581 applicator, one hundred dollars. A federal, state or municipal 582 employee who applies pesticides solely as part of his employment 583 shall be exempt from payment of a fee. Any certificate issued to a 584 federal, state or municipal employee for which a fee has not been paid 585 shall be void if the holder leaves government employment. The fees 586 collected in accordance with this section shall be deposited in the 587 General Fund. 588 (2) The commissioner may renew any certification issued pursuant 589 to this section for the holder of a certification that has lapsed less than 590 one year provided the holder of such certification submits to the 591 commissioner a signed renewal application, payment of the applicable 592 renewal fee and any late fee. Such late fee shall be calculated as 593 follows: Beginning on the first day that such certification lapses, ten 594 per cent of the applicable renewal fee plus one and one-quarter per 595 cent per month, or part thereof, for a period not to exceed one year. 596 Any holder of a certification that has lapsed more than one year shall 597 be examined in accordance with the requirements of this section and 598 any regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section. 599 Sec. 11. Section 26-107h of the general statutes is repealed and the 600 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 601 On or before February first, annually, the Commissioner of Energy 602 and Environmental Protection [shall] may submit to the joint standing 603 committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 604 relating to the environment a report on the progress of the program 605 established under section 26-107f, the purposes for which any funds 606 allocated to said program were expended and the future of the 607 program. 608 Substitute Bill No. 998 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2019SB-00998- R01-SB.docx } 21 of 21 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 from passage 15-154(d) and (e) Sec. 2 from passage 22a-6o(b) Sec. 3 from passage 22a-58(c) and (d) Sec. 4 from passage 22a-66g Sec. 5 from passage 22-11h(c) Sec. 6 from passage 22a-73 Sec. 7 from passage 23-53 Sec. 8 from passage 23-65h(c) Sec. 9 from passage 23-65i Sec. 10 from passage 22a-54(f) Sec. 11 from passage 26-107h ENV Joint Favorable Subst.