SB 445 amends the administrative enforcement processes within the Department of Environmental Services, particularly concerning the imposition of administrative fines and the procedures for appeals related to adjudicative proceedings. The bill removes the requirement for a hearing prior to the suspension or revocation of permits and the imposition of fines, as indicated by the deletion of language requiring "notice and hearing pursuant to RSA 541-A." Instead, it introduces new provisions that specify appeals from the commissioner's decisions will now follow the procedures outlined in RSA 21-O:7, IV, rather than the previous RSA 541. The bill also establishes a structured framework for determining administrative fines based on the severity of violations, allowing for additional fines for repeat offenses and clarifying that each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

Additionally, SB 445 revises various sections of New Hampshire's environmental laws, streamlining the processes for appeals, disciplinary actions, and the imposition of fines across multiple environmental statutes, including those related to water systems and waste management. The maximum fines for certain violations are raised to $4,000, and the bill clarifies that proceeds from these fines will be deposited into specific funds. The amendments also modify the certification process for wastewater treatment plant operators and simplify the permit application process for subsurface sewage systems. Overall, SB 445 aims to enhance the efficiency and clarity of environmental regulation enforcement while maintaining significant penalties for non-compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 125-C:13, 125-C:15, 125-D:4, 125-I:3-a, 125-J:8, 141-E:16, 146-A:15, 146-C:4, 146-C:10-a, 147-A:17-a, 149-M:16, 149-M:38, 332-E:9, 482:89, 482-B:8, 482-B:9, 482-B:16, 483:9-c, 485:42, 485:58, 485-A:7-a, 485-A:7-c, 485-A:28, 485-E:35, 485-A:36, 485-A:40, 485-A:43, 485-A:54, 485-C:2, 485-C:18, 486-A:14, 487:7, 488:8, 489-C:5, 482-A:2, 482-A:13, 483-B:18, 21-M:3, 21-O:14, 541-A:30
SB445 text: 125-C:13, 125-C:15, 125-D:4, 125-I:3-a, 125-J:8, 141-E:16, 146-A:15, 146-C:4, 146-C:10-a, 147-A:17-a, 149-M:16, 149-M:38, 332-E:9, 482:89, 482-B:8, 482-B:9, 482-B:16, 483:9-c, 485:42, 485:58, 485-A:7-a, 485-A:7-c, 485-A:22, 485-A:28, 485-E:35, 485-A:36, 485-A:40, 485-A:43, 485-A:54, 485-C:2, 485-C:18, 486-A:14, 487:7, 488:8, 489-C:5, 482-A:2, 482-A:3, 482-A:13, 483-B:18, 21-M:3, 21-O:14, 541-A:30