The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically section 144.98, to modify the provisions related to the accreditation of environmental laboratories. It removes the previous effective date of January 1, 2012, from subdivisions 8 and 9, which pertain to exemptions from national standards for quality control, personnel requirements, and proficiency testing frequency. Under the amended subdivision 8, laboratories with a permit can request an exemption from certain personnel and quality control provisions if they comply with specific methodologies and provide the name of qualified personnel. Additionally, laboratories seeking this exemption are prohibited from applying for simultaneous accreditation under the national standard.

In subdivision 9, the bill outlines the requirements for laboratories that receive an exemption to obtain acceptable proficiency test results for their accredited fields of testing. It establishes a protocol for laboratories that fail proficiency tests, including the need to analyze supplemental test samples and participate in subsequent proficiency studies. The commissioner is granted authority to revoke accreditation for laboratories that do not meet these requirements and may also impose additional testing obligations if necessary. Furthermore, the commissioner can collect any extra costs incurred from administering these provisions from the laboratories accredited under the exemption.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.98