Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 40-123)
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AB 146 — Revises provisions relating to water. (BDR 40-123)
Last action — Chapter 513.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Assembly
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2021. Enacted.
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1 sponsor
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Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
504 added · 526 removedPlain-language change summary
The latest version of Assembly Bill No. 146 introduces several important changes aimed at improving water pollution management. It now explicitly states that the people of the state have a right to clean water, emphasizing the commitment to protect water quality. Additionally, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is given the authority to create plans for managing diffuse sources of pollution, which broadens the approach to tackling water contamination. These enhancements are significant as they aim to strengthen regulations and involve Indian tribes in pollution control efforts, ultimately leading to cleaner and safer water for all residents.
(ReprintedAssembly withBill amendmentsNo. adopted on April 19, 2021) FIRST REPRINT A.B.
146146–Assemblywoman APeters SSEMBLYCHAPTER.......... B ILLN O.
146–ASSEMBLYWOMAN PETERS FEBRUARY 18, 2021 ____________ Referred to Committee on Natural Resources SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to water.
(BDR 40-123) FISCAL NOTE:
Effect on Local Government:
No.
Effect on the State:
Yes.
~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;
matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
Existing law sets forth various requirements to control water pollution in this State, including authorizing the State Environmental Commission to prescribe controls for diffuse sources of water pollution.
(NRS 445A.570) Section 1.5 of this bill authorizes the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to develop plans, recommendations and policies to manage, control and mitigate water pollution from diffuse sources in this State which may include identifying the major categories of diffuse sources that contribute to water pollution in this State.
controlling the infiltration of contaminants into underground water resulting from contaminated fluids or soil, if the underground water supplies, or may be reasonably expected to supply, a public water system, which mustmay address, without - *AB146_R1* – 2 – limitation, sewage treatment and effluent disposal, wastewater management and community planning and the management of fluids, effluent and septic systems.
Section 1 of this bill makes conforming changes to require the State Board of Health to adopt regulations consistent with the regulations adopted by the Commission, if such regulations impact residential individual systems for the disposaldispSection 4 also requires the Commission to consider any disproportionate impacts on underserved communities when adopting regulations, standards of sewage.water quality and effluent limitations.
Section 4 also requires the Commission to consider any disproportionate quality and effluent limitations.s when adopting regulations, standards of water Existing law requires the Commission to publish notice of a hearing on a regulation that provides a standard of water quality or waste discharge at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to which the standard will apply, if adopted.
(NRS 445A.435) Section 5 of this bill requires the Commission to also publishaccessible noticein ofthe sucharea aand hearingto atany leastcommunity onceimpacted.igital in a digital format that is generally accessibleExisting inlaw authorizes the areaDirector andof tothe anyDepartment communityto: impacted.
Existing(1) lawperform authorizesany acts consistent with the Directorrequirements of state and federal legislation concerning the Departmentcontrol to:of the injection of fluids through a well and the control of water pollution;
(1)and perform(2) anyadvise, actsconsult controland cooperate with other agencies of the injectionState, ofthe fluidsFederal through- a81st wellSession (2021) – 2 – Government, other states, interstate agencies and certain other persons to further certain purposes related to the control of water pollution;pollution.
and(NRS (2)445A.450) advise,Section consultof andthis cooperatebill withauthorizes otherthe agenciesDirector ofto submit recommendations to the State,Commission for the Federaladoption Government,of otherregulations states,deemed interstatenecessary agenciesto andcontrol certainthe otherinfiltration personsof toSection 6 further certainauthorizes purposesthe relatedDirector to theconsult controland ofcooperate with Indian tribes when working to control water pollution.
(NRS 445A.450) Section 69 of this bill authorizesrequires the Directorholders toof alsocertain performpermits anywhose actsproduction necessaryincreases, toprocess controlmodifications or facility expansions result in the infiltration of contaminants into underground waterwaters resultingto fromreport contaminatedthe fluidscontamination orto soil.the Department.
Sectionappropriate 6governmental furtheragency authorizes the Director to consult and cooperate witSection 9 of thiseach billcomplete requiresapplication thefor holdersa ofpermit. certain permits whose production increases, process modifications or facility expansions result in the infiltration of contaminants into underground waters to report the contamination to the Department.
Existing law requires the Department to notify each interested person and appropriate governmental agency of each complete application for a permit.
Section 14 of this bill arequires publicthe hearingCommission onto aadopt permitregulations application.ons to provide for Indian tribes to request Sectionsa 15-22public ofhearing thison billa providepermit thatapplication. the provisions of this bill are subject to the existing enforcement authority of the Department.
Sections 15-22 of this bill provide that the provisions of this bill are subject to the Section 23 of this bill provides that the provisions of this bill do not amend, modify or supersede the provisions of existing law relating to the appropriation of water.
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;
matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
- *AB146_R1* – 3 – 2.
If any regulations adopted by the State Environmental Commission pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection 12 of NRS 445A.425 impact residential individual systems for disposal of sewage, the State Board of Health shall adopt regulations consistent with such regulations adopted by the State Environmental Commission.
4.- 81st Session (2021) – 3 – disposal of sewage” means an individual system for disposal ofm for sewage from a parcel of land, including all structures thereon, that is zoned for single-family residential use.
As used in this section, “residential individual system for disposal of sewage” means an individual system for disposal of sewage from a parcel of land, including all structures thereon, that is zoned for single-family residential use.
(b) Identify the major categories of diffuse sources that contributecon(c) significantDetermine pollutionmethods to facilitate the surfaceimplementation waters of thetheate; State;
(c) Determine methods to facilitate the implementation of the best management practices, projects and measures to control each category of diffuse sources identified pursuant to paragraph (b);
Sec.Secs.
2.2 and 3.
3.
(Deleted by amendment.) - *AB146_R1* – 4 – Sec.
The Legislature finds that pollution of water in thisthi(a) State:Adversely affects public health and welfare;
(a) Adversely affects public health and welfare;
- 81st Session (2021) – 4 – (a) To maintain the quality of the waters of the State consistent with the public health and enjoyment, the propagation and protection of terrestrial and aquatic life, the operation of existing industries, the pursuit of agriculture, and the economic development of (b) To mitigate the degradation of the waters of the State;
[and] (b) To mitigate the degradation of the waters of the State;
Show all 118 changed lines (78 more)
(c) Adopt regulations controlling the injection of fluids through a well to prohibit those injections into underground water, if it supplies or may reasonably be expected to supply any public water system, as defined in NRS 445A.840, which may result in that system’s noncompliance with any regulation regarding primary drinking water or may otherwise have an adverse effect on human health.hea(d) Advise, consult and cooperate with other agencies of the State, the Federal Government, other states, interstate agencies and other persons in furthering the provisions of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive [.] , and section 1.5 of this act.
(d)(e) AdoptDetermine regulationsand forprescribe controlling the infiltrationqualifications and duties of contaminantsthe intosupervisors undergroundand watertechnicians throughresponsible contaminatedfor fluidsthe oroperation soiland where:maintenance of plants for sewage treatment.
- *AB146_R1* – 5 – (1) The underground water directly supplies a public water system or could be reasonably expected to supply a public water system through a surface-to-groundwater connection;
and (2) The infiltration of contaminants into the public system may result in:
(I) The public water system not complying with any standard or regulation regarding primary drinking water;
or (II) A danger to the health and safety of persons.
(e) Advise, consult and cooperate with other agencies of the State, the Federal Government, other states, interstate agencies and other persons in furthering the provisions of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive [.] , and section 1.5 of this act.
[(e)] (f) Determine and prescribe the qualifications and duties of the supervisors and technicians responsible for the operation and maintenance of plants for sewage treatment.
The regulationsCommission adoptedmay byadopt theregulations Commissionfor pursuantcontrolling tothe paragraphinfiltration (d) of subsectioncontaminants 1into mustunderground address,water withoutthrough limitation,contaminated sewagefluids treatmentor andsoil effluentwhere: disposal, wastewater management and community planning and the management of fluids, effluent and septic systems.
(a) The Commissionunderground shallwater notifydirectly thesupplies Statea Boardpublic ofwater Healthsystem ifor anycould regulations proposed to be adoptedreasonably byexpected theto Commissionsupply woulda impactpublic residentialwater individualsystem systemsthrough fora thesurface-to-groundwater disposalconnection; of sewage.
and (b) The infiltration of contaminants into the public system may result in:
- 81st Session (2021) – 5 – standard or regulation regarding primary drinking water;
or (2) A danger to the health and safety of persons.
Any regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to this subsection may address, without limitation, sewage treatment and effluent disposal, wastewater management and community planning and the management of fluids, effluent and septic systems.
Before adopting any regulations pursuant to subsection 2, the Commission shall:
(a) Consider:
(1) The economic and technological feasibility of the proposed regulations;
and (2) The potential costs for a local government to implement the proposed regulations.
(b) Notify the State Board of Health if the proposed regulations would impact residential individual systems for the dis4.
[3.] 4.5.
and (b) Any disproportionate impact on underserved communities in the[4.] respective6. river basins of this State.
[4.] 5.
- *AB146_R1* – 6 – [5.] 6.7.
As used in this section,section “plant[, for“plant] sewage: treatment” means any facility for the treatment, purification or disposal of sewage.
7.(a) “Block” means the smallest geographic unit whose boundaries were designated by the Bureau of the Census of the - 81st Session (2021) – 6 – United States Department of Commerce in its topographically integrated geographic encoding and referencing system.
As(b) used“Block ingroup” thismeans section:a combination of blocks.
(a)(c) “Public“Census watertract” system”means hasa thecombination meaningof ascribedblocks towhose itnum(d) in“Plant NRSfor 445A.840.sewage treatment” means any facility for the treatment, purification or disposal of sewage.
(b)(e) “Underserved“Public community”water means:system” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 445A.840.
(f) “Underserved community” means:
or (III) At least 20 percent of households were not proficient in the English language.language;
or (2) A community in this State with at least one public school:
or (II) That participates in universal meal service pursuant to Section 104 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, PublicPubSec. Law 111-296.
Sec.
NRS11NRS 445A.435 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Perform any acts consistent with the requirements of state and federal legislation concerning the control of the injection of - 81st Session (2021) – 7 – fluids through a well and the control of water pollution and conditions thereof relating to participation in and administration by this State of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System;
PerformSubmit anyrecommendations actsto necessarythe toCommission controlfor the infiltration of contaminants into underground water resulting from - *AB146_R1* – 7 – contaminated fluids or soils,soils including, without limitation, submitting a recommendation to the Commission for the adoption of regulations pursuant to NRS 445A.425;
Maintain or require supervisors and operators of treatment plants which are privately owned or owned by a municipality or other public entity to maintain records and devices for continuing observation and establish or require these supervisors andobtaining operatorssamples necessary to establishprepare proceduresreports;g for making inspections and obtaining[7.] samples8. necessary to prepare reports;
[7.] 8.
Sec.- 81st Session (2021) – 8 – Secs.
7.7 and 8.
8.
(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.
A holder of a permit for a publicly owned treatment works shall notify and supply the Department with -pollutants *AB146_R1*into –the 8treatment –works.creased information concerning any new or increased introduction of pollutants2. into the treatment works.
2.
Sec.Secs.
10.10-12.
11.
(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.
12.
(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.
2.regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to applicable federal law.
Notification must be in the manner provided in the regulations adopted by the Commission pursuant to applicable federal law.
An opportunity for each permit applicant, interested agency, city, county , Indian tribe or irrigation district located downstream - 81st Session (2021) – 9 – from the point of discharge, or any person to request a public hearing conducted by the Director with respect to each permit application;
and - *AB146_R1* – 9 – 2.
For public notice of the hearing, at least 30 days before the date The provisions of thethis hearing.section do not apply to an application for a temporary permit issued pursuant to NRS 445A.485.
The provisions of this section do not apply to an application for a temporary permit issued pursuant to NRS 445A.485.
445A.675445A.707, 1.if the Director finds that any person is engaged or isRS about to engage in any act or practice which violates any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, any standard or other regulation adopted by the Commission pursuant to those sections, or any permit issued by the Department pursuant to those sections, except for any violation of a provision concerning a diffuse source, the Director may:
Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445A.707, if the Director finds that any person is engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice which violates any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, any standard or other regulation adopted by the Commission pursuant to those sections, or any permit issued by the Department pursuant to those sections, except for any violation of a provision concerning a diffuse source, the Director may:
The remedies and sanctions specified in subsection 1 are cumulative, and the institution of any proceeding or action seeking - 81st Session (2021) – 10 – any one of the remedies or sanctions does not bar any simultaneous or subsequent action or proceeding seeking any other of the remedies or sanctions.
- *AB146_R1* – 10 – Sec.
445A.680 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445A.707, if the Director finds that any person is engaged or about to engage in any act or practice which violates any provision of NRS 445A.565 and 445A.570, and section 1.5 of this act, or any standard or other regulation adopted pursuant thereto, with respect to a diffuse source:
445A.690445A.707, 1.if the Director finds that any person is engaged or isRS about to engage in any act or practice which constitutes or will constitute a violation of any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, or of any rule, regulation or standard promulgated by the Commission, or of any permit or order issued by the Department pursuant to NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, the Director may issue an order:
Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445A.707, if the Director finds that any person is engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice which constitutes or will constitute a violation of any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, or of any rule, regulation or standard promulgated by the Commission, or of any permit or order issued by the Department pursuant to NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, the Director may issue an order:
- 81st Session (2021) – 11 – 2.
-445A.695 *AB146_R1*NRS –1. 11 – Sec.
19.Exceptis heasbyotherwiseto rprovidedollins:
NRS 445A.695445A.707, isthe herebyDirector amendedmay seek injunctive relief in the appropriate court to readprevent asthe follows:continuance or occurrence of any act or practice which violates any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act or any permit, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto.
445A.695 1.
Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445A.707, the Director may seek injunctive relief in the appropriate court to prevent the continuance or occurrence of any act or practice which violates any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act or any permit, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto.
445A.700to 1.445C.120, inclusive, a person who violates or aids or abets in the violation of any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act or of any permit, regulation, standard or final order issued thereunder, except a provision concerning a diffuse source, shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day of the violation.
Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445C.010 to 445C.120, inclusive, a person who violates or aids or abets in the violation of any provision of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act or of any permit, regulation, standard or final order issued thereunder, except a provision concerning a diffuse source, shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day of the violation.
Except as otherwise provided in NRS 445C.010 to 445C.120, inclusive, in addition to the penalty provided in subsection 1, the Department may recover from the person actual damages to the State resulting from the violation of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, any regulation or standard adopted by the Commission, or permit or final order issued - 81st Session (2021) – 12 – by the Department, except the violation of a provision concerning a diffuse source.
(a) Any expenses incurred in removing, correcting and terminating any adverse effects resulting from a discharge or the injection of contaminants through a well;
andandm -a *AB146_R1*discharge –or 12the – (b) Compensation for any loss or destruction of wildlife, fish or aquatic life.
Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained by the provisions of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, or by any permit, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto, or who falsifies, tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under the provisions of NRS 445A.300 to 445A.730, inclusive, and section 1.5 of this act, or by any permit, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000days, or by imprisonmentboth infine theand countyimprisonment.y jail for not more than 364 days,2. or by both fine and imprisonment.
2.
- 81st Session (2021) – 13 – Sec.
H~~~~~ 21 - *AB146_R1*81st Session (2021)
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View plain text versions (4)
- Enrolled As Enrolled Current pdf
- Reprint 1 View text pdf
- Reprint 2 View text pdf
- Introduced As Introduced pdf
Amendments
2 amendmentsClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Chapter 513.
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Approved by the Governor.
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Enrolled and delivered to Governor.
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Senate Amendment No. 576 concurred in. To enrollment.
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In Assembly.
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Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved. (Yeas: 14, Nays: 6, Excused: 1.) To Assembly.
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From printer. To re-engrossment. Re-engrossed. Second reprint. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
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From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. Placed on Second Reading File. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 576.) To printer.
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From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint. To Senate. In Senate. Read first time. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources. To committee.
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Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 26, Nays: 16.) To printer.
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From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. Placed on Second Reading File. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 338.) Dispensed with reprinting.
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Notice of eligibility for exemption.
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From printer. To committee.
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Read first time. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources. To printer.
Sponsors
- Sarah Peters · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 66 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (66)
66 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 66 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors AB 146?
- AB 146 is sponsored by Peters, Sarah.
- What is the current status of AB 146?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2021. Enacted.
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