This legislative bill amends various sections of Nebraska's statutes to enhance the structure and authority of the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, particularly concerning the Water Well Standards and Contractors' Licensing Board. A significant change includes the addition of the Chief Water Officer or their representative as a new member of the board, which will now consist of licensed water well contractors and representatives from relevant departments. The bill also clarifies the department's authority over the Perkins County Canal Project, granting it the ability to manage, operate, and resolve disputes related to the project. Additionally, it revises the allocation of funds from the Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Fund by removing the requirement for annual percentage determinations by the council and updates references to the Department of Environmental Quality throughout the statutes.

Moreover, the bill establishes a comprehensive permit and registration system for underground storage tanks, mandates inspections overseen by the State Fire Marshal, and implements monitoring systems for tanks storing petroleum products or hazardous substances. It introduces requirements for financial responsibility, leak detection, and record-keeping, while ensuring that no fees are charged for periodic safety inspections. The bill also mandates the training and certification of operators for underground storage tanks, effective August 8, 2009. In addition, it updates the name of the Department of Environment and Energy to the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, establishes a Home Weatherization Clearinghouse, and outlines definitions and responsibilities related to battery stewardship, including recycling roles for producers and retailers. Several sections of existing statutes are repealed to create a more cohesive regulatory framework for environmental protection and public safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 46-1217, 58-712, 61-303, 73-813, 81-1561, 81-1586, 81-1587