Subdivision 1. Appointment. The commissioner shall appoint an ombudsman for small business air-quality compliance assistance in the classified service.
Subd. 2. Duties. The ombudsman shall provide direct oversight of the small business air-quality compliance assistance program. The ombudsman's duties include, but are not limited to:
(1) conducting independent evaluations of all aspects of the program;
(2) monitoring, reviewing, and providing comments and recommendations to federal, state, and local air quality authorities on laws and regulations that impact small businesses;
(3) facilitating and promoting the participation of small businesses in the development of laws and regulations that affect them;
(4) providing reports to federal, state, and local air quality authorities and the public on the requirements of the Clean Air Act and their impact on small businesses;
(5) disseminating information concerning proposed air quality regulations, control technologies, and other information to small businesses and other interested parties;
(6) participating in and sponsoring meetings and conferences concerning air quality laws and regulations with state and local regulatory officials, industry groups, and small business representatives;
(7) investigating and assisting in the resolution of complaints and disputes from small businesses against state or local air quality authorities;
(8) periodically reviewing the work and services provided by the program with trade associations and small business representatives;
(9) operating a toll-free telephone line to provide free, confidential help on individual source problems and grievances;
(10) referring small businesses to appropriate technical specialists for information and assistance on affordable alternative technologies, process changes, products, and operational methods to help reduce air pollution and accidental releases;
(11) arranging for and assisting in the preparation of program guideline documents to ensure that the language is readily understandable by the lay person;
(12) establishing cooperative programs with trade associations and small businesses to promote and achieve voluntary compliance with federal and state air quality laws and regulations;
(13) establishing cooperative programs with federal, state, and local governmental entities and the private sector to assist small businesses in securing sources of funds to comply with federal, state, and local air quality laws and regulations;
(14) conducting studies to evaluate the impacts of federal and state air quality laws and regulations on the state's economy, local economies, and small businesses;
(15) serving as a voting member of the Small Business Air-Quality Compliance Advisory Council established by section 116.99; and
(16) performing the ombudsman's duties in cooperation and coordination with governmental entities and private organizations as appropriate so as to eliminate overlap and duplication to the extent practicable.
Subd. 3. Independence of action. In carrying out the duties imposed by sections 116.96 to 116.99, the ombudsman may act independently of the agency in providing testimony to the legislature, contacting and making periodic reports to federal and state officials as necessary to carry out the duties imposed by sections 116.96 to 116.99, and addressing problems of concern to small businesses.
Subd. 4. Qualifications. The ombudsman must be knowledgeable about federal and state air quality laws and regulations, control technologies, and federal and state legislative and regulatory processes. The ombudsman must be experienced in dealing with both private enterprise and governmental entities, arbitration and negotiation, interpretation of laws and regulations, investigation, record keeping, report writing, public speaking, and management.
Subd. 5. Office support. The commissioner shall provide the ombudsman with the necessary office space, supplies, equipment, and clerical support to effectively perform the duties imposed by sections 116.96 to 116.99.
1992 c 546 s 8
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection
Chapter 116 — Pollution Control Agency
Section 116.011 — Pollution Report.
Section 116.02 — Pollution Control Agency; Creation And Powers.
Section 116.03 — Commissioner.
Section 116.04 — Executive Secretary.
Section 116.061 — Air Pollution; Emissions And Abatement.
Section 116.07 — Powers And Duties.
Section 116.071 — Cause Of Action For Abandoning Hazardous Waste On Property Of Another.
Section 116.0711 — Feedlot Permits; Conditions; County Grants.
Section 116.0712 — Modified Level One Feedlot Inventory.
Section 116.0713 — Livestock Odor.
Section 116.0715 — Limit On Basis For Action.
Section 116.0716 — Rule Variance.
Section 116.0717 — Minerals Deposition.
Section 116.072 — Administrative Penalties.
Section 116.073 — Field Citations.
Section 116.074 — Notice Of Permit Conditions To Local Governments.
Section 116.075 — Hearings And Records Public.
Section 116.081 — Prohibitions; Air Contaminant And Waste Facilities And Systems.
Section 116.082 — Burning Leaves; Local Ordinances.
Section 116.091 — Systems And Facilities.
Section 116.10 — Policy; Long-range Plan; Purpose.
Section 116.101 — Hazardous Waste; Control And Spill Contingency Plan.
Section 116.11 — Emergency Powers.
Section 116.12 — Hazardous Waste Administration Fees.
Section 116.125 — Notification Of Fee Increases.
Section 116.14 — Hazardous Waste Facilities; Liability Of Guarantor.
Section 116.155 — Remediation Fund.
Section 116.16 — Minnesota State Water Pollution Control Program.
Section 116.163 — Agency Review; Financial Assistance And Bids.
Section 116.165 — Inspection Responsibility.
Section 116.17 — Minnesota State Water Pollution Control Bonds.
Section 116.18 — Water Pollution Control Funds; Appropriations And Bonds.
Section 116.182 — Financial Assistance Program.
Section 116.202 — Coal Tar Sealant; Use And Sale Prohibited.
Section 116.21 — Nutrients In Cleaning Agents And Water Conditioners; Control; Statement Of Policy.
Section 116.23 — Prohibition And Restrictions.
Section 116.26 — Restoring Seized Items.
Section 116.27 — Additional Prohibition.
Section 116.28 — Lists Required.
Section 116.32 — Order To Refrain.
Section 116.33 — Proof Of Offense.
Section 116.34 — Time Limited For Proceedings.
Section 116.35 — Trial Of Offenses.
Section 116.37 — Pcb; Prohibited Use.
Section 116.385 — Trichloroethylene; Ban.
Section 116.39 — Ozone Layer; Preservation.
Section 116.41 — Waste And Waste Facilities Training And Certification.
Section 116.42 — Acid Deposition; Legislative Intent.
Section 116.43 — Acid Deposition Defined.
Section 116.44 — Sensitive Areas; Standards.
Section 116.454 — Monitoring Program.
Section 116.48 — Notification Requirements.
Section 116.482 — Petroleum Release; Notification.
Section 116.49 — Environmental Protection Requirements.
Section 116.491 — Tank Installers; Training And Certification.
Section 116.492 — Basement Storage Tanks; Removal.
Section 116.731 — Requirements To Recycle Cfc's.
Section 116.732 — Requirement To Recycle Fire Extinguisher Halons.
Section 116.733 — Medical Device Exemption.
Section 116.734 — Uniform Cfc Regulation.
Section 116.735 — Training And Certification.
Section 116.78 — Waste Management.
Section 116.79 — Management Plans.
Section 116.80 — Transporting Infectious Waste.
Section 116.801 — Incinerating Infectious Waste; Permit Required.
Section 116.802 — Incinerating Infectious Waste; Environmental Impact.
Section 116.82 — Authority Of Local Government.
Section 116.835 — Safe Sharps Management.
Section 116.84 — Monitors Required For Pcb Incinerators.
Section 116.85 — Monitors Required For Other Incinerators.
Section 116.875 — Authorized Management Methods.
Section 116.88 — Prohibited Methods Of Management.
Section 116.885 — Recycling And Treatment.
Section 116.91 — Citizen Reports Of Environmental Violations.
Section 116.915 — Mercury Reduction.
Section 116.92 — Mercury Emissions; Reduction.
Section 116.921 — Multistate Clearinghouse.
Section 116.925 — Electric Energy; Mercury Emissions Report.
Section 116.93 — Lamp Recycling Facilities.
Section 116.931 — Wheel Weights And Balancing Products; Lead And Mercury Prohibition.
Section 116.9401 — Definitions.
Section 116.9402 — Identifying Chemicals Of High Concern.
Section 116.9403 — Identifying Priority Chemicals.
Section 116.9405 — Applicability.
Section 116.9406 — Donations To The State.
Section 116.9407 — Participating In Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse.
Section 116.97 — Small Business Air-quality Compliance Assistance Program.
Section 116.98 — Ombudsman For Small Business Air-quality Compliance Assistance Program.
Section 116.99 — Small Business Air-quality Compliance Advisory Council.
Section 116.993 — Small Business Environmental-improvement Loan Program.
Section 116.994 — Small Business Environmental-improvement Loan Accounting.