The bill SB321 amends the Code of Alabama 1975, specifically Sections 22-30D-4 and 22-30D-7, to modify regulations surrounding the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Advisory Board. Key changes include the deletion of the requirement for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to prevent other governmental units from engaging in contamination issues related to drycleaning facilities. Additionally, the minimum balance required in the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund is reduced from one million dollars to two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The bill also clarifies the election of coverage for owners and operators of drycleaning facilities, stating that those who opt out will permanently waive any benefits under the chapter.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the department's responsibility to prioritize remedial activities that mitigate risks to human health and the environment while lowering remediation costs. It introduces stricter performance standards for drycleaning operations, including proper waste disposal and adherence to national emission standards. The bill also establishes a deductible responsibility for owners and operators, requiring them to cover the first $10,000 or $50,000 of remediation costs, depending on their status. Additionally, it specifies that no payments will be made from the fund for costs incurred prior to May 24, 2000, and outlines eligibility criteria for funding, explicitly excluding sites contaminated by non-drycleaning facility operations and federal superfund sites. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-30D-4, 22-30D-7
Enrolled: 22-30D-4, 22-30D-7