Archive: Environment

  • Electricity Freedom Act March 15, 2013

    Electricity Freedom Act Summary: The Electricity Freedom Act repeals the State of {insert state}’s requirement that electric distribution utilities and electric services companies provide _____ percent of their electricity supplies from renewable energy sources by ____. WHEREAS, forcing business, industry, and ratepayers to use renewable energy through a government mandate will increase the cost of doing business and push companies to do business with other states or nations, thereby decreasing American competitiveness; WHEREAS, many renewable sources of power currently cost more than traditional electricity generation technologies, and are projected to do so for the foreseeable future; WHEREAS, the costs of […]

  • Performance Based Permitting Act March 15, 2013

    Performance Based Permitting Act SUMMARY:  An act to establish performance based environmental permitting system, to include an environmental incentives program. Be It Enacted by the State of ­___________: Section 1.  Short Title:  This act shall be known as the “Performance Based Permitting Act.” Section 2.  Purpose: (a).  Permit applicants with a history of compliance with environmental laws and regulations should be eligible for an expedited permit for extended periods of time, and automatic permit renewals. (b).  Permit applicants with a history of non-compliance with the environmental laws and regulations shall under the normal process of review and permit renewals can […]

  • Regulatory Review and Rescission Act March 15, 2013

    Regulatory Review and Rescission Act Purpose: Section 1 of this Act institutes a system allowing state lawmakers to examine the efficacy of regulations before implementation, reviewing costs, benefits, and potential impacts on employment.  Section 2 provides a system of retrospective review of regulations three years after they take effect.  Section 2 grants the governor the power to rescind regulations after the retrospective review.   Section 1.  {Review of Future Regulations}  (A) Except as provided in subsection (E), the state budget office shall perform a cost benefit analysis upon each proposed rule and provide it to: (1) the governor; and (2) […]

  • Vegetative Filter Strips Act March 15, 2013

    Summary The goal of this model bill is to encourage growers to voluntarily construct vegetative filter strips on land between a farm field and an area to be protected such as a stream, river, or sinkhole. This farming practice will greatly minimize movement of sediment, nutrients, and crop protection products out of the growers’ fields. Additionally, this bill will provide land owners with tax relief to mitigate the production losses incurred when taking valuable farm land out of production. Ultimately, this legislation provides the necessary flexibility, economic, and environmental factors to benefit the land owners, state soil and water conservation […]

  • Used Oil Collection Act March 15, 2013

    Summary  ALEC model Used Oil Collection Act is designed to reduce the amount of improperly disposed used oil by providing incentives to increase the number of certified collection facilities for used oil. Model Legislation Section 1. {Short Title.} This act shall be known and may be cited as the Used Oil Collection Act. Section 2. {Legislative findings and declarations.} The legislature finds and declares: (A)  Considerable amounts of used oil are generated each year in the state and that this oil is a valuable resource which can be utilized as an environmentally acceptable source of energy or as clean re-fined […]

  • Uniform State Environmental Audit Privilege Act March 15, 2013

    Summary ALEC’s model Uniform State Environmental Audit Privilege Act is designed to encourage environmental compliance of the private sector by making environmental audits privileged to protect the confidentiality of communications relating to voluntary internal environmental audits. Model Legislation Section 1. {Short Title} This act shall be known and may be cited as the Uniform State Environmental Audit Privilege Act. Section 2. {Legislative findings and declarations} The legislature finds and declares that: (A) In order to encourage owners and operators of facilities and other persons conducting activities regulated under {insert state’s environmental laws}, or the federal, regional or local counterpart or extension […]

  • Waste Tire Abatement Act March 15, 2013

     Summary Providing for nuisance abatement from improper waste tire treatment. Establishing a waste tire abatement fund. Providing for grants for the beneficial disposal of waste tires, imposing additional powers and duties on the (environmental agency), providing penalties, making an appropriation, and making repeals. Model legislation {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Title} This act may be cited as the Waste Tire Recycling and Abatement Act. Section 2. {Legislative findings and declarations of policy.} The (legislative body) finds and declares as follows: (A) An estimated two billion old tires lie in the nation’s dumps, with several million added each year. (B) […]

  • Voluntary Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act March 15, 2013

     Summary This Act provides protection from liability against claims of injuries allegedly arising from lead exposure for any residential property owner who voluntarily meets certain lead abatement and maintenance standards for his residential properties. Attaining such a maintenance standard is in no way compulsory. The Act is designed to give property owners certainty that if they meet the standard, the will not be found legally liable. Conversely, not meeting the standard in no way constitutes admission of liability for any property owner. Model Legislation Section 1. {Title} This Act may be cited as the “Voluntary Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act.” […]

  • Wetlands Mapping and Protection Act March 15, 2013

    Summary  ALEC’s model Wetlands Mapping and Protection Act is designed to permit a state to define the procedures, guidelines, and administration of a wetlands program for the state.  Key components of the bill include: a wetlands mapping program and classification of wetlands. Model Legislation {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Title} This act shall be known and may be cited as the Wetlands Mapping and Protection Act Section 2. {Definitions} The following words and phrases when used in this Act shall have the meaning given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (A) “Department.” The department […]