Judiciary panel weighs voluntary chloride‑reduction certification paired with limited liability protections

The Agleton Energy Judiciary on March 13 heard a bill authorizing a voluntary chloride (road salt)‑reduction certification for commercial applicators and tying that certification to limited liability protection when applicators follow the program’s best management practices.

The program would create two parallel tracks — one for municipalities (which already follow a state local‑roads curriculum) and a separate voluntary track for private commercial salt applicators — and would allow certified applicators to assert compliance with the program’s BMPs as a defense to ordinary negligence claims, with liability preserved for gross negligence or reckless disregard.

Senator Watson, who introduced the bill to the committee, described the proposal as focused on reducing chloride pollution while preserving public safety, saying, “the program that's sort of the centerpiece of this bill is a is a voluntary, chloride reduction program.” He told the committee that rising chloride levels in lakes and ponds were impeding natural biota and that the program’s training and BMPs aim to reduce unnecessary spreading that drives contamination.

Committee counsel Mike O'Grady outlined specific bill mechanics, saying the legislation directs the secretary of natural resources, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, to…