Bill Text: FL S0178 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Health Regulation, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 1263 (Ch. [S0178 Detail]

Download: Florida-2012-S0178-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2012                                     SB 178
       
       
       
       By Senator Lynn
       
       
       
       
       7-00235-12                                             2012178__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to onsite sewage treatment and
    3         disposal systems; amending s. 381.0065, F.S.; revising
    4         legislative intent; conforming a cross-reference;
    5         eliminating provisions directing the Department of
    6         Health to create and administer a statewide septic
    7         tank evaluation program; eliminating procedures and
    8         criteria for the evaluation program; repealing s.
    9         381.00656, F.S., to terminate the grant program for
   10         repair of onsite sewage treatment disposal systems
   11         identified pursuant to the evaluation program, to
   12         conform; amending s. 381.0066, F.S.; eliminating
   13         provisions authorizing the department to collect an
   14         evaluation report fee; eliminating provisions relating
   15         to disposition of fee proceeds and a revenue-neutral
   16         fee schedule; providing an effective date.
   17  
   18  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   19  
   20         Section 1. Subsection (1), paragraph (j) of subsection (3),
   21  and subsections (5), (6), and (7) of section 381.0065, Florida
   22  Statutes, are amended to read:
   23         381.0065 Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems;
   24  regulation.—
   25         (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—
   26         (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that proper
   27  management of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems is
   28  paramount to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. It
   29  is further the intent of the Legislature that the department
   30  shall administer an evaluation program to ensure the operational
   31  condition of the system and identify any failure with the
   32  system.
   33         (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that where a
   34  publicly owned or investor-owned sewerage system is not
   35  available, the department shall issue permits for the
   36  construction, installation, modification, abandonment, or repair
   37  of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems under conditions
   38  as described in this section and rules adopted under this
   39  section. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the
   40  installation and use of onsite sewage treatment and disposal
   41  systems not adversely affect the public health or significantly
   42  degrade the groundwater or surface water.
   43         (3) DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.—The
   44  department shall:
   45         (j) Supervise research on, demonstration of, and training
   46  on the performance, environmental impact, and public health
   47  impact of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems within
   48  this state. Research fees collected under s. 381.0066(2)(k)
   49  381.0066(2)(l) must be used to develop and fund hands-on
   50  training centers designed to provide practical information about
   51  onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to septic tank
   52  contractors, master septic tank contractors, contractors,
   53  inspectors, engineers, and the public and must also be used to
   54  fund research projects which focus on improvements of onsite
   55  sewage treatment and disposal systems, including use of
   56  performance-based standards and reduction of environmental
   57  impact. Research projects shall be initially approved by the
   58  technical review and advisory panel and shall be applicable to
   59  and reflect the soil conditions specific to Florida. Such
   60  projects shall be awarded through competitive negotiation, using
   61  the procedures provided in s. 287.055, to public or private
   62  entities that have experience in onsite sewage treatment and
   63  disposal systems in Florida and that are principally located in
   64  Florida. Research projects shall not be awarded to firms or
   65  entities that employ or are associated with persons who serve on
   66  either the technical review and advisory panel or the research
   67  review and advisory committee.
   68         (5) EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT.—
   69         (a) Beginning July 1, 2011, the department shall administer
   70  an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system evaluation
   71  program for the purpose of assessing the fundamental operational
   72  condition of systems and identifying any failures within the
   73  systems. The department shall adopt rules implementing the
   74  program standards, procedures, and requirements, including, but
   75  not limited to, a schedule for a 5-year evaluation cycle,
   76  requirements for the pump-out of a system or repair of a failing
   77  system, enforcement procedures for failure of a system owner to
   78  obtain an evaluation of the system, and failure of a contractor
   79  to timely submit evaluation results to the department and the
   80  system owner. The department shall ensure statewide
   81  implementation of the evaluation and assessment program by
   82  January 1, 2016.
   83         (b) Owners of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal
   84  system, excluding a system that is required to obtain an
   85  operating permit, shall have the system evaluated at least once
   86  every 5 years to assess the fundamental operational condition of
   87  the system, and identify any failure within the system.
   88         (c) All evaluation procedures must be documented and
   89  nothing in this subsection limits the amount of detail an
   90  evaluator may provide at his or her professional discretion. The
   91  evaluation must include a tank and drainfield evaluation, a
   92  written assessment of the condition of the system, and, if
   93  necessary, a disclosure statement pursuant to the department’s
   94  procedure.
   95         (d)1. Systems being evaluated that were installed prior to
   96  January 1, 1983, shall meet a minimum 6-inch separation from the
   97  bottom of the drainfield to the wettest season water table
   98  elevation as defined by department rule. All drainfield repairs,
   99  replacements or modifications to systems installed prior to
  100  January 1, 1983, shall meet a minimum 12-inch separation from
  101  the bottom of the drainfield to the wettest season water table
  102  elevation as defined by department rule.
  103         2. Systems being evaluated that were installed on or after
  104  January 1, 1983, shall meet a minimum 12-inch separation from
  105  the bottom of the drainfield to the wettest season water table
  106  elevation as defined by department rule. All drainfield repairs,
  107  replacements or modification to systems developed on or after
  108  January 1, 1983, shall meet a minimum 24-inch separation from
  109  the bottom of the drainfield to the wettest season water table
  110  elevation.
  111         (e) If documentation of a tank pump-out or a permitted new
  112  installation, repair, or modification of the system within the
  113  previous 5 years is provided, and states the capacity of the
  114  tank and indicates that the condition of the tank is not a
  115  sanitary or public health nuisance pursuant to department rule,
  116  a pump-out of the system is not required.
  117         (f) Owners are responsible for paying the cost of any
  118  required pump-out, repair, or replacement pursuant to department
  119  rule, and may not request partial evaluation or the omission of
  120  portions of the evaluation.
  121         (g) Each evaluation or pump-out required under this
  122  subsection must be performed by a septic tank contractor or
  123  master septic tank contractor registered under part III of
  124  chapter 489, a professional engineer with wastewater treatment
  125  system experience licensed pursuant to chapter 471, or an
  126  environmental health professional certified under chapter 381 in
  127  the area of onsite sewage treatment and disposal system
  128  evaluation.
  129         (h) The evaluation report fee collected pursuant to s.
  130  381.0066(2)(b) shall be remitted to the department by the
  131  evaluator at the time the report is submitted.
  132         (i) Prior to any evaluation deadline, the department must
  133  provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice to owners that their
  134  systems must be evaluated by that deadline. The department may
  135  include a copy of any homeowner educational materials developed
  136  pursuant to this section which provides information on the
  137  proper maintenance of onsite sewage treatment and disposal
  138  systems.
  139         (5)(6) ENFORCEMENT; RIGHT OF ENTRY; CITATIONS.—
  140         (a) Department personnel who have reason to believe
  141  noncompliance exists, may at any reasonable time, enter the
  142  premises permitted under ss. 381.0065-381.0066, or the business
  143  premises of any septic tank contractor or master septic tank
  144  contractor registered under part III of chapter 489, or any
  145  premises that the department has reason to believe is being
  146  operated or maintained not in compliance, to determine
  147  compliance with the provisions of this section, part I of
  148  chapter 386, or part III of chapter 489 or rules or standards
  149  adopted under ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part I of chapter 386, or
  150  part III of chapter 489. As used in this paragraph, the term
  151  “premises” does not include a residence or private building. To
  152  gain entry to a residence or private building, the department
  153  must obtain permission from the owner or occupant or secure an
  154  inspection warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction.
  155         (b)1. The department may issue citations that may contain
  156  an order of correction or an order to pay a fine, or both, for
  157  violations of ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part I of chapter 386, or
  158  part III of chapter 489 or the rules adopted by the department,
  159  when a violation of these sections or rules is enforceable by an
  160  administrative or civil remedy, or when a violation of these
  161  sections or rules is a misdemeanor of the second degree. A
  162  citation issued under ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part I of chapter
  163  386, or part III of chapter 489 constitutes a notice of proposed
  164  agency action.
  165         2. A citation must be in writing and must describe the
  166  particular nature of the violation, including specific reference
  167  to the provisions of law or rule allegedly violated.
  168         3. The fines imposed by a citation issued by the department
  169  may not exceed $500 for each violation. Each day the violation
  170  exists constitutes a separate violation for which a citation may
  171  be issued.
  172         4. The department shall inform the recipient, by written
  173  notice pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57, of the right to an
  174  administrative hearing to contest the citation within 21 days
  175  after the date the citation is received. The citation must
  176  contain a conspicuous statement that if the recipient fails to
  177  pay the fine within the time allowed, or fails to appear to
  178  contest the citation after having requested a hearing, the
  179  recipient has waived the recipient’s right to contest the
  180  citation and must pay an amount up to the maximum fine.
  181         5. The department may reduce or waive the fine imposed by
  182  the citation. In determining whether to reduce or waive the
  183  fine, the department must consider the gravity of the violation,
  184  the person’s attempts at correcting the violation, and the
  185  person’s history of previous violations including violations for
  186  which enforcement actions were taken under ss. 381.0065
  187  381.0067, part I of chapter 386, part III of chapter 489, or
  188  other provisions of law or rule.
  189         6. Any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a
  190  citation issued by the department commits a misdemeanor of the
  191  second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
  192  775.083.
  193         7. The department, pursuant to ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part
  194  I of chapter 386, or part III of chapter 489, shall deposit any
  195  fines it collects in the county health department trust fund for
  196  use in providing services specified in those sections.
  197         8. This section provides an alternative means of enforcing
  198  ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part I of chapter 386, and part III of
  199  chapter 489. This section does not prohibit the department from
  200  enforcing ss. 381.0065-381.0067, part I of chapter 386, or part
  201  III of chapter 489, or its rules, by any other means. However,
  202  the department must elect to use only a single method of
  203  enforcement for each violation.
  204         (6)(7) LAND APPLICATION OF SEPTAGE PROHIBITED.—Effective
  205  January 1, 2016, the land application of septage from onsite
  206  sewage treatment and disposal systems is prohibited. By February
  207  1, 2011, the department, in consultation with the Department of
  208  Environmental Protection, shall provide a report to the
  209  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  210  House of Representatives, recommending alternative methods to
  211  establish enhanced treatment levels for the land application of
  212  septage from onsite sewage and disposal systems. The report
  213  shall include, but is not limited to, a schedule for the
  214  reduction in land application, appropriate treatment levels,
  215  alternative methods for treatment and disposal, enhanced
  216  application site permitting requirements including any
  217  requirements for nutrient management plans, and the range of
  218  costs to local governments, affected businesses, and individuals
  219  for alternative treatment and disposal methods. The report shall
  220  also include any recommendations for legislation or rule
  221  authority needed to reduce land application of septage.
  222         Section 2. Section 381.00656, Florida Statutes, is
  223  repealed:
  224         381.00656 Grant program for repair of onsite sewage
  225  treatment disposal systems.—Effective January 1, 2012, the
  226  department shall administer a grant program to assist owners of
  227  onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems identified pursuant
  228  to s. 381.0065 or the rules adopted thereunder. A grant under
  229  the program may be awarded to an owner only for the purpose of
  230  inspecting, pumping, repairing, or replacing a system serving a
  231  single-family residence occupied by an owner with a family
  232  income of less than or equal to 133 percent of the federal
  233  poverty level at the time of application. The department may
  234  prioritize applications for an award of grant funds based upon
  235  the severity of a system’s failure, its relative environmental
  236  impact, the income of the family, or any combination thereof.
  237  The department shall adopt rules establishing the grant
  238  application and award process, including an application form.
  239  The department shall seek to make grants in each fiscal year
  240  equal to the total amount of grant funds available, with any
  241  excess funds used for grant awards in subsequent fiscal years.
  242         Section 3. Subsection (2) of section 381.0066, Florida
  243  Statutes, is amended to read:
  244         381.0066 Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems;
  245  fees.—
  246         (2) The minimum fees in the following fee schedule apply
  247  until changed by rule by the department within the following
  248  limits:
  249         (a) Application review, permit issuance, or system
  250  inspection, including repair of a subsurface, mound, filled, or
  251  other alternative system or permitting of an abandoned system: a
  252  fee of not less than $25, or more than $125.
  253         (b) A 5-year evaluation report submitted pursuant to s.
  254  381.0065(5): a fee not less than $15, or more than $30. At least
  255  $1 and no more than $5 collected pursuant to this paragraph
  256  shall be used to fund a grant program established under s.
  257  381.00656.
  258         (b)(c) Site evaluation, site reevaluation, evaluation of a
  259  system previously in use, or a per annum septage disposal site
  260  evaluation: a fee of not less than $40, or more than $115.
  261         (c)(d) Biennial Operating permit for aerobic treatment
  262  units or performance-based treatment systems: a fee of not more
  263  than $100.
  264         (d)(e) Annual operating permit for systems located in areas
  265  zoned for industrial manufacturing or equivalent uses or where
  266  the system is expected to receive wastewater which is not
  267  domestic in nature: a fee of not less than $150, or more than
  268  $300.
  269         (e)(f) Innovative technology: a fee not to exceed $25,000.
  270         (f)(g) Septage disposal service, septage stabilization
  271  facility, portable or temporary toilet service, tank
  272  manufacturer inspection: a fee of not less than $25, or more
  273  than $200, per year.
  274         (g)(h) Application for variance: a fee of not less than
  275  $150, or more than $300.
  276         (h)(i) Annual operating permit for waterless, incinerating,
  277  or organic waste composting toilets: a fee of not less than $50,
  278  or more than $150.
  279         (i)(j) Aerobic treatment unit or performance-based
  280  treatment system maintenance entity permit: a fee of not less
  281  than $25, or more than $150, per year.
  282         (j)(k) Reinspection fee per visit for site inspection after
  283  system construction approval or for noncompliant system
  284  installation per site visit: a fee of not less than $25, or more
  285  than $100.
  286         (k)(l) Research: An additional $5 fee shall be added to
  287  each new system construction permit issued to be used to fund
  288  onsite sewage treatment and disposal system research,
  289  demonstration, and training projects. Five dollars from any
  290  repair permit fee collected under this section shall be used for
  291  funding the hands-on training centers described in s.
  292  381.0065(3)(j).
  293         (l)(m) Annual operating permit, including annual inspection
  294  and any required sampling and laboratory analysis of effluent,
  295  for an engineer-designed performance-based system: a fee of not
  296  less than $150, or more than $300.
  297  
  298  On or before January 1, 2011, the Surgeon General, after
  299  consultation with the Revenue Estimating Conference, shall
  300  determine a revenue neutral fee schedule for services provided
  301  pursuant to s. 381.0065(5) within the parameters set in
  302  paragraph (b). Such determination is not subject to the
  303  provisions of chapter 120. The funds collected pursuant to this
  304  subsection must be deposited in a trust fund administered by the
  305  department, to be used for the purposes stated in this section
  306  and ss. 381.0065 and 381.00655.
  307         Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

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