This bill amends and reenacts several sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to the certification and regulation of water distribution and wastewater system operators. Notably, it establishes that certificates issued under this chapter will now expire on the first day of January of the year following issuance, rather than July. The bill also modifies the fee structure for certification, allowing the department to prescribe reasonable fees based on the anticipated costs of processing applications and administering examinations, while previously, the fees were capped at fifty dollars for initial certification and twenty-five dollars for annual renewal.

Additionally, the bill outlines the duties of the department, including the administration of examinations, promotion of certification programs, and maintenance of operator records. It introduces new penalties for violations of the chapter, including civil penalties of up to five thousand dollars per day and class A misdemeanors for willful violations or false statements. Furthermore, a new section is created to establish administrative procedures and judicial review processes for rule adoption and compliance determinations related to operator certification.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08
Adopted by the Senate Workforce Development Committee: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08
Enrollment: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08
INTRODUCED: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08