Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 11, Article 2, Code of Virginia.
A. The provisions of § 2.2-1104, Code of Virginia, notwithstanding, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services shall ensure that no individual is denied the benefits of laboratory tests mandated by the Department of Health for reason of inability to pay for such services.
B. Out of this appropriation, $5,134,355 the first year and $5,134,355 the second year for Statewide Laboratory Services is sum sufficient and these amounts are estimates from an internal service fund which shall be paid from revenues derived from charges collected from state agencies and institutions of higher education for laboratory testing services. The internal service fund shall also consist of revenues transferred from the Department of Transportation for motor fuel testing as stated in § 3-1.02 of this act.
C.1. The provisions of § 2.2-1104 B, Code of Virginia, notwithstanding, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services may charge a fee for the limited and specific purpose of analyses of water samples where (i) testing is required by Department of Health regulations as mandated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, (ii) funding to support such testing is not otherwise provided for in this act, and (iii) fees shall not be increased unless a plan is first approved by the Governor.
2. The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services may charge a fee to recover its costs to certify laboratories under the requirements of §§ 2.2-1104 A. 4 and 2.2-1105, Code of Virginia, where certification of these laboratories is required by the Department of Health regulations mandated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Chapter 13 (§ 10.1-1300 et seq.) of Title 10.1, the Virginia Waste Management Act (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.), or the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.), Code of Virginia.
3.a. Any regulations or guidelines necessary to implement or change the amount of the fees charged for testing of water samples or certification of laboratories may be adopted without complying with the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq.) provided that input is solicited from the public. Such input requires only that notice and an opportunity to submit written comments be given.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, changes to fees charged for testing of water samples or certification of laboratories shall be subject to the provisions of § 4-5.03 of this act, effective July 1, 2016.
c. Fees charged for testing of water samples or certification of laboratories shall not exceed the cost of providing such services.
D. Out of this appropriation, $410,861 the first year and $410,861 the second year from the general fund shall be used for the fifth and sixth year of payments to finance the replacement of instrumentation used for drinking water testing that is at least ten years old utilizing the state's Master Equipment Leasing Program in addition to annual service maintenance agreements for such instrumentation.