SB 238 Summary

• Streamlines wastewater treatment plant operator certification by requiring all applicants (Class I-IV) to pass the standardized national examination from the Association of Boards of Certification, eliminating separate state supplemental exams.

• Expands aquaculture exemptions from environmental permitting requirements for individual structures (racks, cages, bags, buoys) in leased or designated shellfish areas that received federal Army Corps of Engineers permits and do not interfere with navigation.

• Removes requirement for municipal noise control ordinance approval by the commissioner; ordinances must be at least as stringent as state or federal standards but municipalities may adopt more stringent standards without approval.

• Reduces pesticide registration fees from $940 to $188 per year effective January 1, 2023, and allows multi-year registrations with staggered expiration dates.

• Establishes a hazardous tree mitigation policy for state parks and campgrounds requiring licensed arborist consultation, public notification, and consideration of replanting to offset removed trees.