1. (a) The assistance program established under this chapter shall do the following:

   1. (1) Assist the regulated community with specific regulatory or permit matters pending with the department.

   2. (2) Provide assistance to new and existing businesses and small municipalities in identifying:

      1. (A) applicable environmental rules and regulations; and

      2. (B) permit requirements;

         that apply to new and existing businesses and small municipalities.

   3. (3) Develop and distribute educational materials regarding:

      1. (A) environmental requirements;
      2. (B) compliance methods;
      3. (C) voluntary environmental audits;
      4. (D) pollution control technologies; and

      5. (E) other compliance issues;

         including standardized forms and procedures for completing permit applications.

   4. (4) Provide public outreach and training sessions in cooperation with representatives of the business and municipal communities regarding existing and future state and federal environmental requirements.
   5. (5) Develop and operate a clearinghouse to respond to inquiries from businesses and municipalities concerning applicable environmental rules, regulations, and requirements.
   6. (6) Provide technical assistance concerning pollution control techniques to local and state governmental entities and businesses and distribute educational materials regarding pollution prevention developed by the department.
   7. (7) Provide administrative and technical support for the compliance advisory panel established by IC 13-13-7.1-1 .

   8. (8) Conduct other activities as required to:

      1. (A) improve regulatory compliance; and
      2. (B) promote cooperation and assistance in meeting environmental requirements.

2. (b) The assistance program may provide limited onsite assistance to provide compliance information and technical assistance to a small business or small municipality, subject to the confidentiality provisions of section 4 of this chapter. The assistance program may use money from the environmental management special fund to implement this subsection. The assistance program may limit the number of inspections per year and restrict onsite assistance to specific programs.

   [Pre-1996 Recodification Citation: 13-10-2-2.]

As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.12-2005, SEC.5; P.L.53-2014, SEC.128; P.L.135-2026, SEC.291.