SB 866 - This act revises Missouri law on asbestos abatement projects. Applicable rules shall not be stricter or enforced sooner than required by federal regulations.

The definition of an "asbestos abatement project" is amended to exclude from regulation any project affecting less than two hundred sixty linear feet or one hundred sixty square feet of asbestos materials. Current law includes projects over ten square feet or sixteen linear feet.

The act excludes from regulation those projects affecting single family homes or vacant apartments of four or fewer units being demolished pursuant to a government condemnation order, so long as there is evidence that public health and environment are not endangered. Projects in multiple structures in the same area may be grouped for date and time reporting requirements.

The Department of Natural Resources or the local enforcement agency shall conduct asbestos abatement inspections using persons who have state certification as an asbestos supervisor and as an asbestos inspector. The Department may only inspect an asbestos abatement project in the presence of the owner or operator of the site or a designee. No inspection fee shall be charged unless the inspection is conducted by a person having such certification. Department staff who monitor training programs shall pay attendance fees and pass applicable examinations to obtain certification.

Before denying, suspending or revoking a person's registration or certification, the Department shall seek to eliminate the violation through conference conciliation and persuasion.

Civil penalties for violations of asbestos abatement law shall be placed in the County School Fund, rather than the Natural Resources Protection Fund.
OTTO FAJEN