Purpose

• The bill changes how and where certain hazardous-chemical releases must be reported. It aims to improve emergency response by centralizing notifications through a single State Emergency Management Operations Center (SEMO Center) and ensuring 24/7 staffing and coordination among agencies.

Main Provisions

• Requires owners or operators to immediately notify the SEMO Center when a release involves:
  • a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance listed under United States Code title 42 section 9602, or
  • an extremely hazardous substance listed under 42 U.S.C. 11002.
• Allows the required reporting to be fulfilled by notifying the SEMO Center, rather than directly notifying other state agencies.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety must ensure the SEMO Center is staffed 24 hours a day, with staff trained to efficiently notify all relevant state and federal agencies and to provide emergency responder information.
• No state agency may require a separate rule or guideline that would force a person who reports to the SEMO Center to also notify that agency.
• State agencies must include the SEMO Center’s phone number in all public communications, permits, educational materials, and other communications, and designate staff to coordinate with SEMO Center personnel.
• After reporting to or notifying the SEMO Center, the owner or operator of a facility whose primary purpose is processing crude oil into petroleum products must also notify local emergency personnel responsible for protecting public health in response to the discharge, release, or incident.
• Exemption: the notification requirement does not apply to releases that only expose persons within the site(s) or releases specifically authorized by state law.

Significant Changes to Law

• Centralizes hazardous substance release reporting to a single state center (SEMO Center) instead of multiple agencies.
• Establishes 24/7 staffing and formal coordination for emergency response information.
• Removes duplicative notification requirements by prohibiting additional agency notices beyond SEMO Center notification.
• Adds a local-notification obligation for crude oil processing facilities to engage nearby local emergency responders.

Implementation and Oversight

• The SEMO Center must be staffed and capable of handling calls any time, with procedures to notify appropriate state and federal agencies and provide emergency responder information.
• State agencies must adapt communications and coordination practices to include SEMO Center contact information and designate liaison personnel.

Affected Parties

• Facility owners/operators, especially those involved in processing crude oil into petroleum products.
• Local emergency responders and public health protection personnel.
• State agencies and the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Exemptions and Limits

• Applies only to releases involving hazardous substances on the applicable federal lists; does not apply to on-site-only exposures or releases expressly authorized by state law.

Implementation Context

• Focuses on strengthening emergency notification infrastructure, reducing reporting duplication, and speeding access to emergency responder information during hazardous-material releases.

Relevant Terms - State Emergency Management Operations Center (SEMO Center) - hazardous substances - extremely hazardous substances - reportable quantity - United States Code title 42 section 9602 - United States Code title 42 section 11002 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 299K.07 - Department of Public Safety (DPS) - local emergency personnel / local emergency responders - crude oil processing into petroleum products - emergency responder information - 24 hours a day / 24/7 staffing - reporting / notification - public health protection - coordination with state and federal agencies