RSA 149-M:70: Powers and Duties of the Committee; Rules.

I. The committee shall:

(a) Evaluate and issue any certificate under this chapter for a major solid waste disposal facility.

(b) Determine the terms and conditions of any certificate issued under this chapter.

(c) Adjudicate enforcement matters.

(d) Assist the public in understanding the requirements of this chapter.

(e) Deny applications for a certificate based on such findings and rulings as may be necessary to support its decision to deny.

(f) Execute the general court's stated preference that new landfill capacity shall be based on need and shall only be developed in accordance with RSA 149-M:65, IV.

II. The committee shall hold hearings as required by this chapter and such additional hearings as it deems necessary and appropriate and, in addition to the requirements under RSA 91-A, ensure adequate and timely public notice of no less than 7 calendar days.

III. The committee may delegate to the administrator or such state agency or official as it deems appropriate the authority to specify the use of any technique, methodology, practice, or procedure approved by the committee within a certificate issued under this chapter, or the authority to specify minor changes in the major solid waste disposal facility configuration to the extent that such changes are authorized by the certificate for those portions of a proposed major solid waste disposal facility project.

IV. The committee shall not delegate its authority or duties except as provided under this subdivision.

V. In any matter before the committee, the presiding officer, or a hearing officer designated by the presiding officer, may hear and decide procedural matters that are before the committee, including procedural schedules, consolidation of parties with substantially similar interests, discovery schedules and motions, and identification of significant disputed issues for hearing and decision by the committee. Undisputed petitions for intervention may be decided by the hearing officer and disputed petitions shall be decided by the presiding officer. Any party aggrieved by a decision on a petition to intervene may within 10 calendar days request that the committee review such decision. Other procedural decisions may be reviewed by the committee at its discretion.

VI. The committee shall issue such rules to administer this chapter, pursuant to RSA 541-A, after public notice and hearing, as may from time to time be required.