Authorizing Legislation 



b. Increased integration and coordination of programs and functions; 



c. Increased efficiency in budgeting and use of resources; 



d. Efficient administration of licensing, permitting, and grant programs; 



e. Prompt, effective response to environmental emergencies; 



f. Opportunities for effective citizen participation; and 



g. Broadening of career opportunities for professional staff; 



(3) To make any recommendations it deems appropriate regarding the 

 reorganization and consolidation of environmental regulatory agencies and the 

 recodification of statutes relating to the environment, including but not limited 

 to: 



a. Ways in which agencies may operate more efficiently and 

 economically; 



b. Ways in which agencies can provide better services to the State and to 

 the people; and 



c. Instances in which fimctions of agencies are duplicative, overlapping, 

 incomplete in scope or coverage, fail to accomplish legislative 

 objectives, or for any other reason should be redefined or redistributed; 



(4) To review and evaluate changes in federal law and regulations, relevant court 

 decisions, and changes in technology affecting the environment or protection 

 of the environment; 



(5) To review existing and proposed State law and rules affecting the 

 environment or protection of the environment arm to determine whether any 

 modification of law or rules is in the public interest; 



(6) To make reports and recommendations, including draft legislation, to the 

 General Assembly fi-om time to time as to any matter relating to the powers 

 and duties set out in this section; and 



(7) To undertake such additional studies as it deems appropriate or as may fi-om 

 time to time be requested by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the 

 Speaker of the House of Representatives, either house of the General 

 Assembly, the Legislative Research Commission, the Joint Legislative 

 Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Utility 

 Review Committee, or the Joint Select Committee on Low-Level Radioactive 

 Waste and to make such reports and recommendations to the General 

 Assembly regarding such studies as it deems appropriate; provided that the 

 Environmental Review Commission shall not undertake any study which the 

 General Assembly has assigned to another legislative commission or 

 committee. 



(b) The Environmental Review Commission may continue the study of environmental 

 agency consolidation and reorganization. The study of environmental agency consolidation shall 

 include, but is not limited to: 



(1) Monitoring the implementation of Session Laws 1989, c. 727; 



(2) Evaluation of the organization, programs, and operation of the Department of 

 Environment and Natural Resources; 



(3) Evaluation of the organization, fimctions, powers, and duties of the 

 components of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 

 including boards, commissions, councils, and regional offices; and 



VI 



