(a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 setting forth procedures for reimbursement and payment from the program established under section 22a-449c. Such regulations shall include such provisions as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 22a-449a to 22a-449i, inclusive, including, but not limited to, provisions for (1) notification of eligible parties of the existence of the underground storage tank petroleum clean-up program; (2) records required for submission of claims and reimbursement and payment; (3) periodic and partial reimbursement and payment to enable responsible parties to meet interim costs, expenses and obligations; and (4) reimbursement and payment for costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with releases or suspected releases discovered before or after July 5, 1989, provided reimbursement and payment shall not be ordered or made for costs, expenses and obligations incurred by a responsible party on or before said date.

(b) (1) The commissioner, in accordance with the procedures set forth in subdivision (2) of this subsection, may prescribe a schedule for the maximum or range of amounts to be paid for labor, equipment, materials, services or other costs, expenses or obligations paid or incurred as a result of a release or suspected release. Such schedule shall not be a regulation, as defined in section 4-166 and the adoption, modification, repeal or use of such schedule shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 54 concerning a regulation. The amounts in any such schedule may be less than and shall be not more than the usual, customary and reasonable amounts charged, as determined by the commissioner. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 22a-449a to 22a-449j, inclusive, or any regulation adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section, upon adoption of any such schedule, the amount to be paid for any labor, equipment, materials, services or other costs, expenses or other obligations, shall not exceed the amount established in any such schedule and such schedule may serve as guidance with respect to any costs, expenses or other obligations paid or incurred before the adoption of such schedule.

(2) The commissioner shall adopt, revise or revoke the schedule in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. The commissioner shall publish notice of intent to adopt, revise or revoke the schedule, or any portion thereof, in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the affected area. There shall be a comment period of thirty days following publication of such notice during which interested persons may submit written comments to the commissioner. The commissioner shall publish notice of the adoption, revision or revocation of the schedule, or part thereof, in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the affected area. The commissioner shall, upon request, review the schedule and shall make any revisions the commissioner deems necessary to such schedule once every two years or may do so more frequently as the commissioner deems necessary. The commissioner may revise or revoke the schedule, in whole or in part, using the procedures specified in this subsection. Any person may request that the commissioner adopt, revise or revoke the schedule in accordance with this subsection.

(c) Upon adoption of a schedule by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the requirements concerning obtaining three bids for services rendered contained in regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall not apply, provided that the schedule includes the subject services.

(d) An environmental professional, who has a currently valid and effective license issued pursuant to section 22a-133v, shall use a seal, as provided for in regulations adopted pursuant to section 22a-133v, to provide written approval required under sections 22a-449c, 22a-449f and 22a-449p, and any approval without a seal shall not constitute an approval of a licensed environmental professional. The regulations adopted pursuant to section 22a-133v regarding the use of a seal and the rules of professional conduct shall apply to the duties of a licensed environmental professional contained in sections 22a-449a to 22a-449i, inclusive, and 22a-449p.

(P.A. 89-373, S. 6, 10; P.A. 90-181, S. 2; P.A. 91-254, S. 3, 7; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 93; P.A. 08-124, S. 28; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 425; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 254.)

History: P.A. 90-181 amended Subdivs. (2), (3) and (4) to include provisions relating to payment in addition to reimbursement; P.A. 91-254 added language giving the commissioner broader authority to adopt regulations under Secs. 22a-449a to 22a-449h, inclusive; (Revisor's note: In 1995 references to clean-up “fund” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with references to clean-up “account” to conform section with Sec. 22a-449c as amended by P.A. 94-130); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and made a technical change therein, added Subsec. (b) re schedule for the maximum or range of amounts to be paid from the account, added Subsec. (c) re inapplicability of requirement for three bids for services, and added Subsec. (d) re use of a seal by an environmental professional, effective June 30, 2005; P.A. 08-124 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b)(2), effective June 2, 2008; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 substituted “program” for “account” in Subsecs. (a) and (b); pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b)(2) to delete provisions requiring commissioner to consult with board and made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective June 15, 2012.