Senate Bill SF No. 492 is a legislative proposal in Minnesota that focuses on the environmental management of deicing practices. The bill proposes the establishment of a voluntary certification program for commercial salt applicators, who are individuals or entities that apply deicing materials like salt to surfaces impacted by ice and snow.

Key Points of the Bill:

1. Establishment of Certification Program: Commercial salt applicators can voluntarily participate in a program where they undergo training on best practices for snow and ice removal. The training aims to promote methods that protect water quality, and participants must pass an exam to become certified.

2. Renewal and Training Requirements: Certification must be renewed every ten years, and the bill mandates additional training upon renewal. Training sessions are to be made available across the state and possibly online.

3. Limited Liability: The bill proposes that certified applicators or the property owners who contract them are not liable for accidents caused by ice and snow on treated areas as long as they adhere to the approved best management practices. However, this limited liability does not apply if the applicator exhibits gross negligence or if standard practices are not followed.

4. Record-Keeping and Reporting: Certified applicators must maintain detailed records of their deicing practices and submit annual reports on the types and amounts of deicers used.

5. Penalties and Compliance: The bill allows for the revocation of certification for non-compliance with the established standards or violations of related rules.

6. Training Costs and Fee Management: A fee, capped at $350 per applicator, may be charged for certification training, with part of the fee going to the training provider and the remainder contributed to the environmental fund.

In essence, SF No. 492 aims to balance the effective management of snow and ice on private and commercial properties with environmental protection measures. It also seeks to reduce legal liability for property owners and applicators who comply with certified best practices in deicing.