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TITLE 329 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

FIRST NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD
LSA Document #20-24

SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM PERMITTING FEES


PURPOSE OF NOTICE
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is soliciting public comment on amendments to rules in 329 IAC 3.1-1-14.1, 329 IAC 10, 329 IAC 11, and 329 IAC 15, concerning solid waste and hazardous waste program permit fees as required by House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1278. IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 329 that may be affected by this rulemaking.



SUBJECT MATTER AND BASIC PURPOSE OF RULEMAKING
Basic Purpose and Background
HEA 1278, also referred to as Public Law 250-2019, was passed by the 2019 General Assembly to amend the process in IC 13-16 concerning the adoption of environmental fees by the Environmental Rules Board (board). To establish or change the amount of a fee, the board is required to take into account the costs to IDEM for: (1) issuance or approval of a permit; (2) services in connection with supervision, review, and other activities related to the issuance or approval of a permit; (3) surveillance of the activity or property covered by the permit issuance or approval; (4) amendments, modifications, and renewals of a permit or approval; and (5) fees charged for equivalent activities in other states. IDEM is to assist the board in doing a periodic review of fees by: (1) arranging for an independent study of the costs that the board may consider; (2) developing information on fees charged for equivalent activities in other states; and (3) periodically developing information on activities, functions, and permits that have been added or eliminated since the previous fee structure was adopted. The board may direct IDEM to initiate a rulemaking under IC 13-14-9 to address fees based on the information collected by IDEM and presented to the board. HEA 1278 also establishes that the board may not change fees more than one time in five years and the fee increase may not amount to more than ten percent.
In addition to the process established in IC 13-16 for future rulemakings to increase environmental fees, HEA 1278 requires the board to adopt rules once before January 1, 2022, to increase the amount of the fees for solid waste and hazardous waste programs under IC 13-20-21 and IC 13-22-12, along with fees for water-related programs under IC 13-18-10, IC 13-18-20, and IC 13-18-20.5, by an aggregate amount of $3,200,000 greater than the aggregate fee revenue actually received in the year immediately preceding the proposed fee increases.
This rulemaking addresses the one-time fee increases required under HEA 1278 for IC 13-20-21 and IC 13-22-12, regarding solid waste and hazardous waste programs. The fees associated with issuing permits, amendments, modifications, and renewals have not changed since 1996 for solid waste and hazardous waste programs. A separate rulemaking will address the one-time fee increases allowed under HEA 1278 for confined feeding operations, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and public water systems, under IC 13-18-10, IC 13-18-20, and IC 13-18-20.5, respectively. IDEM is working on the allocation of the $3,200,000 among the affected fees in the water and waste programs and where in Titles 329 and 327 the fees will be placed. To facilitate making decisions regarding the amount of the fee increases, IDEM is assessing the fees charged for similar activities in other states.
HEA 1278 also requires the board to increase air permitting fees established by IC 13-17-8 for the Title V Operating Permit Program by an amount calculated to be $2,000,000 greater than the aggregate fee revenue actually received from the Title V program fees in the year immediately preceding the fee increase allowed by HEA 1278. The Title V fee increases will also be addressed in a separate rulemaking.
IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed, including suggestions for specific language, any other provisions of Title 329 that may be affected by this rulemaking, and alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the rulemaking in accordance with HEA 1278.
Alternatives to Be Considered Within the Rulemaking
Alternative 1. Adopt rules to address environmental fees presently contained in the statutes IC 13-20-21 and IC 13-22-12.
• Is this alternative an incorporation of federal standards, either by reference or full text incorporation? No.
• Is this alternative imposed by federal law or is there a comparable federal law? This alternative is not imposed by federal law and there is no comparable federal law. This alternative is required by HEA 1278 passed by the 2019 General Assembly to increase environmental fees.
• If it is a federal requirement, is it different from federal law? Not applicable.
• If it is different, describe the differences. Not applicable.
Alternative 2. Do not adopt rules to address environmental fees presently contained in the statutes IC 13-20-21 and IC 13-22-12.
• Is this alternative an incorporation of federal standards, either by reference or full text incorporation? No.
• Is this alternative imposed by federal law or is there a comparable federal law? No. Adoption of rules to address environmental fees is a statutory mandate. Not adopting the rules would be a violation of state law.
• If it is a federal requirement, is it different from federal law? Not applicable.
• If it is different, describe the differences. Not applicable.
Applicable Federal Law
No federal law is applicable to this rulemaking. This rulemaking is required by HEA 1278 passed by the 2019 General Assembly to increase environmental fees.
Potential Fiscal Impact
Potential Fiscal Impact of Alternative 1. The fiscal impact for fees related to IC 13-20-21 and IC 13-22-12, in combination with fee increases adopted for water programs under IC 13-18-10, IC 13-18-20, and IC 13-18-20.5, is not to exceed $3,200,000 as mandated by HEA 1278.
Potential Fiscal Impact of Alternative 2. There is no fiscal impact to any regulated entity under Alternative 2, but IDEM will run out of operating funds for the affected programs in the next biennium if applicable fees are not increased in accordance with HEA 1278.
Small Business Assistance Information
IDEM established a compliance and technical assistance program (CTAP) under IC 13-28-3. The program provides assistance to small businesses and information regarding compliance with environmental regulations. In accordance with IC 13-28-3 and IC 13-28-5, there is a small business assistance program ombudsman to provide a point of contact for small businesses affected by environmental regulations. Information on CTAP and other resources available can be found at:
www.in.gov/idem/ctap
For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, small businesses affected by this rulemaking may contact the Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Angela Taylor
IDEM Small Business Regulatory Coordinator/CTAP Small Business Liaison
IGCN 1316
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251
(317) 233-0572 or (800) 988-7901
ctap@idem.in.gov
For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, the Small Business Ombudsman designated by IC 5-28-17-6 is:
Katelyn Colclazier
Small Business Ombudsman
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
One North Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 431-1560
kcolclazier@iedc.in.gov
Resources available to regulated entities through the small business ombudsman include the ombudsman's duties stated in IC 5-28-17-6, specifically IC 5-28-17-6(9), investigating and attempting to resolve any matter regarding compliance by a small business with a law, rule, or policy administered by a state agency, either as a party to a proceeding or as a mediator.
The Small Business Assistance Program Ombudsman is:
Erin Moorhous
IDEM Small Business Assistance Program Ombudsman/Business, Agricultural, and Legislative Liaison
IGCN 1301
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251
(317) 232-8921 or (800) 451-6027
emoorhou@idem.in.gov
Public Participation and Work Group Information
At this time, no work group is planned for the rulemaking. If you feel that a work group or other informal discussion on the rule is appropriate, please contact Keelyn Walsh, Rules Development Branch, Office of Legal Counsel at (317) 232-8229 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana).

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, IDEM solicits the following:
(1) The submission of alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the rule.
(2) The submission of suggestions for the development of draft rule language.
Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways:
(1) By mail or common carrier to the following address:
LSA Document #20-24 Title 329 Fees
Keelyn Walsh
Rules Development Branch
Office of Legal Counsel
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251
(2) By facsimile to (317) 233-5970. Please confirm the timely receipt of faxed comments by calling the Rules Development Branch at (317) 232-8922.
(3) By electronic mail to kwalsh@idem.in.gov. To confirm timely delivery of submitted comments, please request a document receipt when sending the electronic mail. PLEASE NOTE: Electronic mail comments will NOT be considered part of the official written comment period unless they are sent to the address indicated in this notice.
(4) Hand delivered to the receptionist on duty at the thirteenth floor reception desk, Office of Legal Counsel, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Regardless of the delivery method used, in order to properly identify each comment with the rulemaking action it is intended to address, each comment document must clearly specify the LSA document number of the rulemaking.

COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE
All comments must be postmarked, faxed, or time stamped not later than March 20, 2020. Hand-delivered comments must be delivered to the appropriate office by 4:45 p.m. on the above-listed deadline date.
Additional information regarding this action may be obtained from Keelyn Walsh, Rules Development Branch, Office of Legal Counsel, (317) 232-8229 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana).

Christine Pedersen, Section Chief
Rules Development Branch
Office of Legal Counsel

Posted: 02/19/2020 by Legislative Services Agency

DIN: 20200219-IR-329200024FNA
Composed: Mar 28,2024 9:02:36PM EDT
A PDF version of this document.