CHAPTER 567
H.P. 1328 - L.D. 1806
An Act To Provide for the Safe Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §2133, sub-§2-B, as amended by PL 1999, c. 779, §3, is further amended to read:
2-B. Household hazardous waste collection. The office may, within available resources, award grants to eligible municipalities, regional associations, sanitary districts and sewer districts for household hazardous waste collection and disposal programs. In implementing this program, the office shall attempt to:
A. Coordinate the household hazardous waste collection programs with overall recycling and waste management;
B. Encourage regional economies of scale;
C. Coordinate programs between private and public institutions;
D. Maximize opportunities for federal grants and pilot programs; and
E. By January 1, 2002 and as necessary thereafter, fund capital improvements and operating expenses to facilitate the development of collection programs throughout the State for hazardous waste that is universal waste, as identified in board rules, generated by households, small-quantity generators, public schools and municipalities.
Preference in allocating resources under this subsection must be given to municipalities that participate in a household hazardous waste collection region as defined in subsection 2-D.
At a minimum, the office shall award grants to public schools and municipalities for reasonable costs incurred as a result of managing waste mercury-added products generated by those public schools and municipalities, in compliance with the requirements in sections 1663 and 1664, that would not otherwise be incurred by complying with existing laws, rules or regulations as of July 15, 2002.
Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §2133, sub-§2-D is enacted to read:
2-D. Preference for other state grants and investments. When awarding grants or making a discretionary investment under any of the programs under paragraphs A and B, a state agency shall give preference to a municipality that is part of a household hazardous waste collection region. For purposes of this subsection, "household hazardous waste collection region" means a region made up of 2 or more municipalities that work together to establish a collection center to accept the household hazardous waste of residents of each municipality for disposal on a year-round basis. This subsection applies to:
A. Programs that assist in the acquisition of land for conservation, natural resource protection, open space or recreational facilities under Title 5, chapter 353; and
B. Programs intended to:
(1) Accommodate or encourage additional growth and development;
(2) Improve, expand or construct public facilities; or
(3) Acquire land for conservation or management of specific economic and natural resource concerns.
This subsection does not apply to state grants or other assistance for sewage treatment facilities, public health programs or education.
The office shall work with state agencies to prepare mechanisms for establishing preferences in specific investment and grant programs as described in paragraphs A and B.
Effective July 30, 2004, unless otherwise indicated.
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