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, rather than capping the initial certificate fee at fifty dollars and the renewal fee at twenty-five dollars. Additionally, the department is now required to hold at least one examination each year, which can be administered by a third-party examination service.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new penalties for violations of the chapter, including a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per day for violations and class A misdemeanor charges for willful violations or false statements. It also creates a new section outlining the administrative procedures and judicial review processes for adopting or modifying rules related to the certification and regulation of operators, ensuring compliance with existing legal frameworks. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for water and wastewater system operators in North Dakota, ensuring better oversight and accountability.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 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
PREFILED: 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, 23.1-07-08