ASSEMBLY SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3142

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 27, 2021

      The Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3142.

      This bill amends the "Water Supply and Wastewater Operators' Licensing Act," P.L.1983, c.230 (C.58:11-64 et seq.), by requiring class 3 and class 4 treatment systems to be operated by a full-time licensed operator. The bill also stipulates that class 4 treatment systems must have a person with any valid treatment license within the appropriate system classification physically present for that portion of each 24-hour period when the licensed operator is not present.

      The bill also permits professional engineers to take the water supply and wastewater treatment systems operator licensing examination without meeting certain additional requirements.  The bill specifically provides that a licensed professional engineer who has a college degree in an engineering program or curriculum of four years or more shall be admitted to any examination offered pursuant to the “Water Supply and Wastewater Operators Licensing Act,” notwithstanding that the professional engineer does not have operating experience or direct responsible charge experience or has not completed additional courses.

      The bill also establishes an operator in training certification for operators or students who have taken water supply and wastewater courses. Hands-on operating experience is not required for certification but an individual must complete required courses, pass an examination, and apply to the Department of Environmental Protection to obtain certification as an operator in training.

      The bill adds a provision allowing a licensed operator to renew his or her license in an inactive status, without requiring additional training contact hours.  An operator with an inactive license is not permitted to operate or maintain a system.  An operator in inactive status may also return to active status at any time if the operator submits to the board of examiners proof of successful completion of one cycle of training contact hours earned within the previous three years.  Only licensed operators who have been licensed for a minimum of 25 years and who are 62 years of age or older are eligible for inactive license status.

      Lastly, the bill requires the following documentation be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection if an individual seeks a water supply and wastewater treatment systems operator license without examination:

      (1)  educational transcripts;

      (2)  a copy of a license from another state, country, or territory;

      (3)  letters of recommendation from previous employers;

      (4)  an attestation from a previous employer indicating employment history and qualifications; and

      (5)  any other documentation that the department deems necessary in demonstrating that the person has met all the requirements of P.L.1983, c.230 (C.58:11-64 et seq.) and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments to the bill make a technical correction to the bill’s text.