Sen. Steve Heffernan asks Senate Natural Resources & Energy to delay Tier 3 implementation in S325

Sen. Steve Heffernan (Madison County) told the Senate Natural Resources & Energy committee on Tuesday, March 24, that he planned amendments to S325 aimed at delaying or revising Tier 3 implementation and the related rulemaking timeline.

Heffernan, who identified himself "for the record" during the meeting, said one change he was proposing would move an implementation date from 2008 to 2023 and asked the committee "to give us more time" to consider the proper course and the needed rulemaking. He also referenced a separate measure described in the transcript as "action resolution number 818Second114," asking that it be moved to 2023 or "January 23."

The committee's presiding member said members should not take a straw poll and that the panel should hear from legislative council before acting, noting S325 is scheduled for second reading the following day. "We should not take any kind of straw poll because we should hear from our legislative council," the Chair said.

Heffernan said his intent was to allow additional time for the state and for rulemaking to ensure the policy is correct; he added he believed an earlier measure referred to as "181" had been rushed and may have been vetoed and overridden. No formal motion or vote was recorded on the amendments during the meeting.

The committee did not take formal action at the session. Committee members plan to address the proposed amendments after legislative-council review at S325's second reading tomorrow. Heffernan also said he might stop submitting further amendments for the day while he finalizes his drafts.

The meeting also included a brief administrative note from the Chair that the committee expects new bills from the House later in the week and will begin work on accessibility issues in those measures.

The committee left the floor open for additional comments but took no further action during this portion of the meeting.