SB 211-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2023 SESSION

23-0880

08/10

 

SENATE BILL 211-FN

 

AN ACT relative to background investigations of solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Lang, Dist 2

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill adds to the requirements for background investigations and criminal records checks  for solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

23-0880

08/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

AN ACT relative to background investigations of solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

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, key employees, or persons or business entities holding 10 percent or more of its equity or debt liability, 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  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, key employees, or persons or business entities holding 10 percent or more of its equity or debt liability, 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.

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

 

LBA

23-0880

Revised 1/25/23

 

SB 211-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to background investigations of solid waste and hazardous waste facility permit applicants.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation, as introduced, has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2026.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Environmental Services