Amendment 2023-0575s to SB211 (2023)

Relative to background investigations of solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants.


Revision: Feb. 16, 2023, 4:26 p.m.

Senate Executive Departments and Administration

February 16, 2023

2023-0575s

09/10

 

 

Amendment to SB 211-FN

 

Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:

 

1  Operator Permit; Hazardous Waste Management; Criminal Background Check.  Amend RSA 147-A:4, II-c to read as follows:

II-c.(a)  Applications for permits shall be upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 147-A:3. The application information shall include, but not be limited to, a performance history of the applicant and of its officers and directors relative to the operation, financial security, and ownership of all facilities owned or operated by the applicant. Whenever requested by the department, the attorney general shall conduct a background investigation of the performance history and criminal record of the applicant and of its officers and directors, partners and individuals or entities having managerial, supervisory, or substantial decision-making authority and responsibility for the management of operations or activities for which a permit is being sought, if any, and make a report to the department. The cost of any investigation under this paragraph shall be borne by the applicant.

(b)(1) The criminal background check shall consist of a fingerprint-based criminal record check of national crime information databases. The persons described in subparagraph (a) shall submit to the attorney general a criminal history records release form, as provided by the New Hampshire division of state police, which authorizes the release of the person's criminal records, if any. The person shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency and payment required by division of state police regulations.

(2)  For the criminal records check required under this paragraph, the attorney general shall submit the person’s fingerprints to the department of safety, division of state police, which shall conduct a criminal history records check through its records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of the criminal record check, the division of state police shall release copies of the criminal history records to the attorney general.

2  Hazardous Waste Management; Operator Permits.  Amend RSA 147-A:4, IV-a to read as follows:

IV-a. No permit issued by the department under this section shall be transferred by the permittee to any person without the prior written approval of the department. Applications for the transfer of permits shall be upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 147-A:3, IX. The application information shall include, but not be limited to, a performance history of the applicant and of its officers and directors relative to the operation, financial security, and ownership of all facilities owned or operated by the applicant. Whenever requested by the department, the attorney general shall conduct a background investigation of the performance history and criminal record of the applicant and of its officers and directors, partners, and individuals or entities having managerial, supervisory, or substantial decision-making authority and responsibility for the management of operations or activities for which a permit is being sought, if any, and make a report to the department. The criminal background check shall consist of and follow the same procedures set forth in paragraph II-c.  The applicant shall also submit a statement that the proposed facility is consistent with the provisions of a district plan. The cost of any investigation under this paragraph shall be borne by the applicant. The department shall hold a public hearing no later than 30 days prior to making any final decision on an application to transfer a permit issued under this section. Notice of such public hearing shall be published in a newspaper of local circulation within the region of the public or private hazardous waste facility at least 2 weeks prior to such public hearing. The applicant shall notify abutters of the request for transfer of a permit under this section.

3  Permit Required; Solid Waste Management; Criminal Background Check.  Amend RSA 149-M:9, III to read as follows:

III.(a)  Applications for permits shall be upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 149-M:7. The application information shall include, but not be limited to, a performance history of the applicant and of its officers and directors, partners, and individuals or entities having managerial, supervisory, or substantial decision-making authority and responsibility for the management of operations or activities for which a permit is being sought, relative to the operation, financial security, and ownership of all facilities owned or operated by the applicant. Whenever requested by the department, the attorney general shall conduct a background investigation of the performance history and criminal record of the applicant and of its officers and directors, if any, and make a report to the department. The cost of any investigation under this paragraph shall be borne by the applicant. The applicant shall also demonstrate that the proposed facility provides a substantial public benefit pursuant to RSA 149-M:11.

(b)(1)  The criminal background check shall consist of a fingerprint-based criminal record check of national crime information databases.  The persons described in subparagraph (a) shall submit to the attorney general a criminal history records release form, as provided by the New Hampshire division of state police, which authorizes the release of the person's criminal records, if any.  The person shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency and payment required by division of state police regulations.

(2)  For the criminal record check required under this paragraph, the attorney general shall submit the person’s fingerprints to the department of safety, division of state police, which shall conduct a criminal history records check through its records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Upon completion of the criminal record check, the division of state police shall release copies of the criminal history records to the attorney general.

4  Solid Waste Permit; Transfer.  Amend RSA 149-M:9, XII(a) to read as follows:

(a)  Applications for the transfer of permits shall be filed by the person to whom such permit is to be transferred upon such forms and shall include such information as the department requires by rules adopted under RSA 149-M:7.  The application information shall include, but not be limited to, a performance history of the applicant and of its officers and directors relative to the operation, financial security, and ownership of all facilities owned or operated by the applicant.  Whenever requested by the department, the attorney general shall conduct a background investigation of the performance history and criminal record of the applicant and of its officers and directors, partners, and individuals or entities having managerial, supervisory, or substantial decision-making authority and responsibility for the management of operations or activities for which a permit is being sought, if any, and make a report to the department.  The criminal background check shall consist of and follow the same procedures set forth in paragraph III. The applicant shall also submit a statement that the proposed facility is consistent with the provisions of a district plan.  The cost of any investigation under this paragraph shall be borne by the applicant.

5  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.