AN ACT to authorize the Department of Environment and natural resources to EVALUATE the training and qualification requirements for animal waste management systems technical specialists and to extend the period of time that animal waste management systems technical specialists may provide services related to the Development, implementation, or operation of an Animal waste management plan or Animal waste management system.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Section 12.7C of S.L. 2004‑124 reads as rewritten:
"REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS
SECTION 12.7C. Before 1 September 2007, the requirements and qualifications for animal waste management systems technical specialists shall not be changed and the scope of the work that animal waste management systems technical specialists are authorized to perform shall not be decreased. As used in this section, "animal waste management system" has the same meaning as in G.S. 143‑215.10B."
SECTION 2.  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall evaluate the training and qualification requirements for approval as an animal waste management systems technical specialist pursuant to G.S. 139‑4(d)(11) to determine whether the current approval process ensures an appropriate level of knowledge and expertise to provide services related to the development, implementation, or operation of an animal waste management plan or animal waste management system.  In conducting the study, the Department shall obtain input from representatives of interested parties, including the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Professional Engineers of North Carolina, Inc., the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, and other organizations.  The Department shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals, to the Environmental Review Commission on or before 15 November 2006.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective 1 July 2006.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of June, 2006.

	___________________________________________
	 Charlie S. Dannelly
	 Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	___________________________________________
	 Richard T. Morgan
	 Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives

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	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2006