S.B. 251 Local Health Department and Department of Environmental Quality Coordination: transcript

Thank you, Mr. Chair for taking me out of order. Um, Senator Vickers, the Department of Environmental Quality and the local health departments have an intertwined relationship that over time has, um, had some concerns, some, uh, rocky spots in it. And, uh, over the last year, year and a half, um, that relationship has, uh, has come become better. Uh, they're working together really well, and part of that is the result in this bill file where their relationship becomes, uh, better defined. And, uh, and, and both parties have agreed to the language in this bill file. In fact, they worked it out together and asked me to run it. Uh, with that Mr. Chair, if there are questions to the bill, they are here. And, uh, the appropriate, um, people can come up and answer those questions. That'll end my summation. Okay. Um, that concludes, uh, the presentation.

I move that we pass out Senate Bill 2 51 to the floor with favorable recommendation.

I think it's good, bill. Okay. It's a nice bill. I'll waive waive summation.

Thank you. Um, over the past, uh, I don't know, a few years, there's, there's been a little bit of confusion between the Department of Environmental Quality and our local health departments on reporting some stuff that they're doing back and forth. And, uh, quite honestly, uh, we're in a much better spot now, and both of those entities have worked on this bill file to make sure that that coordination and reporting is improved. And, uh, we have some something of a consensus here. So that's what the bill does. Good work. It needed to be done. And that's the end of my presentation, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd, I'd like to move that we recommend favorably Senate Bill 2 51

I'll waive

I'll waive Mr. Chair

I'll waive, I'll place that motion that we pass out favorably. Senate Bill 2 51, local Health Department and Department of Environmental Quality Coordination by Senator Sandall.

Thank you. Shortest Bill of the session.

Uh, over the past few years, the, uh, the relationship between DEQ and local local health departments has, uh, has been stretched at times. Uh, but they have come together now to, uh, create a better relationship. SB 2 51 improves the partnership between DEQ and local health departments. Um, this bill clarifies the coordinated effort between DEQ local health departments and local governments to recruit costs in the event of extra extraordinary expense incurred in respond responding to environmental enforcement activity. And the reimbursement process will be clarified through Rural Writing Authority, uh, granted by the legislature. Other minor, minor technical changes. Um, I'd be open to any questions.

Yeah, just a quick question for the sponsor. He's Agreed to yield. Go ahead. You know, we talked to earlier, I think Senator Plumb had a bill we're dealing with, uh, when we pick up vape cartridges from, you know, in law enforcement and local health department and they have to be disposed of. And the question came up about how DEQ and that would, would, could that fall under this? Um, I don't believe it. Uh, oh. Sorry. Mr.

Um, I don't believe it would fall under this.

Okay. That's fine. Thank you. Just for checking.

I'd move that, uh, Senate Bill 2 51. Be read a third time.

Senator Vickers Baldy Aye. Lewin Aye. Bramer bus Comore Escamia Fillmore. She she alone Fillmore Aye. Uh, that's right. Aye. Harper Kins. Ipson Aye. Johnson Juab McKay. Mikel Milner Musman Owens pitcher Lum Rebe Sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton Bickers. Bier. And so aye. Wilson Winterton Rebe President Adams Aye. Senate

I don't think so. Senator Cullimore for announcements

and a final motion here, Uh, no further announcements from, from the lunch and I move the Senate adjourn until Tuesday, February 24th at 10:00 AM We have a motion to adjourn.

Thank you. Uh, as we talked about, uh, a few days ago, this bill simply helps, uh, coordination between our local health departments and the environmental quality, uh, department with that'd be open to any questions.

Move that Senate Bill 2 51 pass.

Circle, uh, first substitute Senate Joint Resolution six. Joint resolution amending court rules regarding medical malpractice.

Thank you. This joint re resolution follows a piece of legislation that we passed last year around medical mal malpractice, uh, clears up, uh, the existing necessary things to make that bill file work. And, uh, I think both sides have, uh, have joined together in the first substitute and, uh, I know of no opposition with I'll be open for any questions.

Senator Sandall, I move That to first substitute Senate Joint Resolution six pass.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. So this bill came about, um, from a conversation between DEQ and our local health departments, um, who have worked together to create this piece of legislation. What it does is it creates a coordinated effort between DEQ and local health departments and local governments to recoup costs in the event that there's an extraordinary expense incurred in responding to environmental enforcement activity in the community. So this just really sets the process, if something like this happens, um, then, um, then you know, the outcome of of, um, how much will be paid out or whatever will be a result of the process. The outcome isn't set, just, um, starting to put together a process. So this bill, um, has come at their request and they're all supportive. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker I was on for the one previous to this. I apologize. Not for this one.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions?

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'm, I'm wondering, uh, if the, the good sponsor could address why we are moving some of the reporting requirements from DEQ. Um, we've in the last couple of years have pushed fairly hard to have them report to a variety of committees, including the Federalism committee as they create and establish new rules. And this seems to be a somewhat of a deviation, uh, from the direction of the legislature. Just wondering if the sponsor can speak to that.

You know, I, I am not, uh, familiar with why that decision was made, um, between those entities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm, I will sponsor continue to yield.

Um, I'm wondering if, if the sponsor knows if the items that were previously reported herein to the General Oversight Committee regarding the policies or rules that are established will be addressed under the new existing statute in the Federalism Commission.

Uh, I am not, I am not familiar with how that's going to be.

So, um, so this bill still requires, um, that, you know, while we allow administrative rulemaking procedures, um, administrative rulemaking procedures always do follow under the direction of the legislature. Um, so, um, this is a process that they've all requested and worked on together and I'd encourage your support.