GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1161

Short Title:  Water Pretreatment Consultation.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Hagan; and Warren.

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Referred to:  Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources.

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April 15, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO WORK WITH THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE THE EQUITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF RULES AND GUIDELINES GOVERNING LOCAL OIL AND GREASE PRETREATMENT PROGRAMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Whereas, local governments across the State are authorized to implement pretreatment programs in connection with water and sewage treatment; and
Whereas, certain local governments have proposed to assess significant fees or charges on food service establishments in connection with those programs regardless of the measures that a particular establishment may have taken to address the issue; and
Whereas, the State has an interest in both assuring that the fees and charges are reasonable, necessary, and related to the goal of the pretreatment program and in assuring the quality of the water discharged into the water of the State; Now therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is directed to work with the North Carolina Restaurant Association and other food service establishments and food retailers and other food retailers impacted by local oil and grease pretreatment programs to:
(1)	Assure that such programs are fair, equitable, economically manageable, and effective;
(2)	Determine whether it is appropriate to assess fees or charges against such business establishments without evidence of a violation of the applicable rules; and
(3)	Develop appropriate rules or guidelines for local oil and grease pretreatment programs.
Section 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.