Senate Bill 18-245 Summary

• Repeals the prohibition preventing the Colorado State Board of Health from adopting rules on naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) disposal until after federal EPA rules are adopted.

• Requires the State Board of Health to adopt NORM disposal rules by December 31, 2020, subject to department reporting to legislative committees.

• Mandates the Department convene a stakeholder group including oil and gas industry, mining, water providers, wastewater treatment providers, and landfill operators to discuss rule development and impacts.

• Department must prepare a report by December 31, 2019, reviewing NORM management practices from other states and developing proposed residuals management rules with regulatory limits for landfill disposal, beneficial reuse, and exemption levels.

• Pending rule adoption, NORM handling and disposal remains governed by the Department's February 2007 interim policy guidance and oil and gas waste production guidance letters from November 2017.