The provisions of sections 25-9-104(1)(a), (3), (4), (5) and (6); 25-9-105; 25-9-106.3; 25-9-107; 25-9-108, C.R.S., provide the specific statutory authority for the adoption of these regulatory provisions. The Board also adopted, in compliance with section 24-4-103(4), C.R.S., the following statement of basis and purpose.
BASIS AND PURPOSE
The 2000 Colorado General Assembly adopted HB 00-1431, revising the certification procedures and requirements for operators of water and wastewater facilities, which include water treatment facilities, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, water distribution systems and wastewater collection systems. The bill established the composition, duties and rulemaking authority of the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (formerly the Plant Operators Certification Board).
The new state legislation authorized the Board to adopt application and program fees that reflect the actual costs of administering the operator certification program. The Board has previously established a certification application fee of $15, as specified in the statute. Regulation No. 100 also provides for two types of program fees:
On January 30, 2001, the Board adopted on an emergency basis an administration fee of $60.00 for each new and renewal certification. This administration fee will cover ongoing costs of program administration by one or more third party contractors. The amount of this fee is based upon evidence presented in the emergency rulemaking hearing regarding the actual costs of program administration, taking into account a level of uncertainty associated with this new third party role. In this rulemaking, based on the evidence presented the Board has readopted this same administration fee. The Board intends that the amount of this fee will be revisited from time to time in the future as more experience with implementation of the Operators Certification Program by the third party contractors is gained.
Section 25-9-104 (1)(a) C.R.S. requires a failed examination review without specifying any specific format or requirements for this review. The current regulation (section 100.11.5, 5 C.C.R. 1003-2) contains a similar requirement. It is possible, however, to interpret the regulation as requiring that failed examinees be permitted to review actual copies of the examination. The Board recognizes that providers of standardized examinations are reluctant to permit, and often refuse to permit, copies of their examinations to be available for individual review. These providers generally produce detailed, individualized statistical analyses of examination results. Such analyses can form the basis for a meaningful review of individual's performance on examinations.
The Board, therefore, has decided to amend the regulatory language to more clearly reflect the statutorily permitted flexibility regarding failed examination reviews. The specific format of failed examination review sessions may be determined by the Board or its designee, consistent with the restrictions imposed by the provider(s) of the standardized examinations used in certification testing.
5 CCR 1003-2-100.33