Bill Text: CA SB1221 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 1221 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Wastewater operator certification program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-02 - Referred to Com. on RLS. [SB1221 Detail]

Download: California-2021-SB1221-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 1221

Introduced by Senator Hurtado

February 17, 2022

An act to amend Section 13627 of the Water Code, relating to water.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 1221, as introduced, Hurtado. Wastewater operator certification program.

Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to examine and certify persons as to their qualifications to operate water treatment plants and water distribution systems. Existing law requires the certification to indicate the classification of water treatment plant or water distribution system that the person is qualified to operate. Existing law requires the board to issue a water treatment operator certificate and water distribution operator certificate by reciprocity to any person holding a valid, unexpired, comparable certification issued by another state, the United States, prescribed territories or tribal governments, or a unit of any of these. Existing law requires the board to classify types of wastewater treatment plants for the purpose of determining the levels of competence necessary to operate them. Existing law requires a person who operates a nonexempt wastewater treatment plant to possess a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate, as defined. Existing law requires the board to develop and specify in its regulations the training necessary to qualify a person for a wastewater certificate for each type and class of plant. Existing law authorizes the board to accept experience in lieu of qualification training.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change in the provision regarding accepting experience in lieu of qualification training.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 13627 of the Water Code is amended to read:

13627.

(a) Except as provided in Section 13625.1 and subdivision (b), a person who operates a wastewater treatment plant shall possess a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate of the appropriate grade.

(b) A person who operates a water recycling treatment plant may comply with subdivision (a) by possessing a valid, unexpired water treatment operator certificate of the appropriate grade.

(c) (1) All wastewater certificates shall be issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the state board. The state board shall develop and specify in its regulations the training necessary to qualify a person for a wastewater certificate for each type and class of plant. The state board may accept experience ~~in lieu~~ instead of qualification training.

(2) The state board shall evaluate opportunities for the following:

(A) Issuing a wastewater certificate by examination waiver to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(B) Award experience and education credits to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(3) The state board shall seek consultation with the United States Department of Defense in carrying out paragraph (2).

(4) If the state board identifies opportunities pursuant to paragraph (2), the state board shall, where appropriate, issue a wastewater certificate by examination waiver or award experience or education credits to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(d) The state board may refuse to grant, suspend, or revoke any wastewater certificate, or may place on probation or reprimand the certificate holder, upon any reasonable ground, including, but not limited to, all of the following reasons:

(1) Submitting false or misleading information on an application for a wastewater certificate or an examination for a wastewater certificate.

(2) The employment of fraud or deception in the course of operating the wastewater treatment plant.

(3) A wastewater certificate holder’s failure to use reasonable care or judgment in the operation of the plant.

(4) A wastewater certificate holder’s inability to perform operating duties properly.

(5) Willfully or negligently violating, or causing or allowing the violation of, waste discharge requirements or permits issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.) or this division.

(6) Engaging in dishonest conduct during an examination for a wastewater certificate.

(e) The state board shall conduct all proceedings for the refusal to grant a wastewater certificate, and suspension or revocation of a certificate pursuant to subdivision (d), in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to Section 185.