CT SB00301

Repeals and replaces Section 22a-450 of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2016, to modify mandatory reporting requirements for environmental spills and discharges.

Requires immediate reporting to the commissioner by vessel operators, terminal managers, establishment operators, and vehicle operators when discharges of oil, petroleum, chemicals, or hazardous wastes occur that pose a potential threat to human health or the environment.

Establishes reporting penalties of up to $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for employers for failing to report; increases to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for employers specifically for gasoline discharge failures.

Delegates to the commissioner authority to adopt regulations establishing specific threshold amounts for reportable discharges, spillages, uncontrolled losses, seepages, or filtrations, with current reporting requirements remaining in effect until new regulations take effect.

Allows the commissioner to specify additional facts beyond location, quantity, type of substance, date, cause, and owner/reporter information that must be included in spill reports.