SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1788        FILED ON: 1/21/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 366

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Richard T. Moore

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to simplify the administration of Title V and reduction of applicable paperwork.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1788        FILED ON: 1/21/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 366

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act to simplify the administration of Title V and reduction of applicable paperwork.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

                SECTION 1.  Section 13 of chapter 21A of the general laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended, by inserting at the end of the first paragraph, the following:

                The commissioner shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that regulations promulgated regarding the enforcement of this section, including regulations requiring any forms utilized by septic system inspectors or local boards of health shall minimize paperwork burden for individuals, small businesses, contractors, state and local governments and their agents, to ensure the greatest possible public benefit from and maximize the utility of information created, collected, maintained, used, shared and disseminated by or for the purpose of said code, and to reduce the number of copies required for official use.  The commissioner is further authorized, and directed, to promulgate regulations establishing a reasonable fee for copies of inspection reports and other paperwork that may be charged by septic system inspectors and boards of health.

                For the purposes of this section, the term “burden” shall mean: the time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, or provide information to or for a governmental agency, including the resources expended for--(A) reviewing instructions; (B) acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems; (C) adjusting the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; (D) searching data sources; (E) completing and reviewing the collection of information; and (F) transmitting, or otherwise disclosing the information; and the term "collected" shall mean: the obtaining, causing to be obtained, soliciting, or requiring the disclosure to third parties or the public, of facts or opinions by or for an agency, regardless of form or format, calling for either (i) answers to identical questions posed to, or identical reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed on, ten or more persons, other than agencies, instrumentalities, or employees of the commonwealth or its political subdivisions; or (ii) answers to questions posed to agencies, instrumentalities, or employees of the commonwealth or its political subdivisions which are to be used for general statistical purposes.