HB 1065 Summary

• Creates the "Public Notice of Pollution Act" requiring owners and operators of installations to notify the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours of discovering a reportable pollution release

• Defines "reportable pollution release" as unauthorized releases of substances regulated under state and federal law, including hazardous substances, extremely hazardous substances, storage tank leaks, and underground injection control system violations

• Requires the Department to publish all pollution release notices on a public website within 24 hours of receipt and establish electronic mailing lists allowing public subscription to notifications by geographic area

• Specifies that providing notice does not constitute an admission of liability or harm and allows owners or operators to amend notices if they later determine no release occurred

• Establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for knowing or willful failure to provide required notice, effective July 1, 2017