SPONSOR: Matthiesen
Currently, the Department of Natural Resources must use the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund to investigate concerns of waste exposure submitted by a local governing body. This bill allows the Department to determine sites for investigation based on criteria specified in the bill. The bill also requires the Department to prioritize the information and develop a plan as to how any investigation will proceed.
The Department may hold meetings related to organization and data collection. All final reports will be public after a public comment period on the preliminary report of at least 90 days.
This bill specifies that the investigation may include collection of soil, dust, and water samples from the area. If the Department suspects that radioactive contaminants are on a property owned by a governmental agency that will not grant access for the investigation, the Department must seek a warrant to access the property.
Currently, the General Assembly can transfer up to $150,000 to the Fund to be used by the Department of Natural Resources to investigate concerns of exposure to radioactive waste. The bill also increases the amount of money the General Assembly can transfer to the fund from the Hazardous Waste Fund to $1 million and limits the expenditures per fiscal year to $1 million transfered from the Hazardous Waste Fund and any additional General Revenue appropriated.
This bill is similar to HCS HB 1673 (2024).
Statutes affected: