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2015 SESSION

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15102939D
SENATE BILL NO. 811 Offered January 14, 2015 Prefiled January 2, 2015 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3.1 of Chapter 3.1 of Title 62.1 a section numbered 62.1-44.17:5, relating to establishment of the Water Protection and Toxic Chemicals Advisory Committee. ---------- Patron-- Watkins ---------- Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3.1 of Chapter 3.1 of Title 62.1 a section numbered 62.1-44.17:5 as follows:

§ 62.1-44.17:5. Water Protection and Toxic Chemicals Advisory Committee established.

A. The Water Protection and Toxic Chemicals Advisory Committee (the Committee) is hereby established as an advisory committee to assist the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Health in developing recommendations for the protection of state water resources from toxic chemical contamination. The Committee shall be appointed by the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Commissioner of Health and shall be composed of representatives of public and private water providers; industry; agricultural, conservation, and environmental organizations; local governments; state and federal agencies; and university faculty with expertise in toxic chemical-related issues. The Committee shall meet at least bimonthly.

Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation for their service and shall not be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

B. The Committee shall (i) examine Virginia’s existing programs to protect water resources from contamination from toxic chemical storage and use; (ii) identify any existing gaps or inadequacy in drinking water protections related to toxic chemical storage and use; (iii) identify any existing gaps or inadequacy in toxic chemical storage and use standards; (iv) develop recommendations to ensure that toxic chemical storage and use in the Commonwealth protects human health, safety, water resources, the environment, and the economy of the Commonwealth; (v) identify the funding structure necessary to support such recommendations; and (vi) examine other policies and procedures that the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Commissioner of Health determine may enhance the protection of Virginia's water resources and the safe storage and use of toxic chemicals in Virginia.

C. The Committee shall report its findings to the State Water Commission, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources no later than December 1, 2015.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2016.