APPLICATION FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT; NOTICE AND HEARING.

(a) A person may not process, store, or dispose of hazardous waste without having first obtained a hazardous waste permit issued by the commission.

(b) On its own motion or the request of a person affected, the commission may hold a public hearing on an application for a hazardous waste permit in accordance with this subchapter.

(c) The commission by rule shall establish procedures for public notice and public hearing. At a minimum, the rules shall include the public notice requirements set forth in Section 361.081.

(d) In addition to the hearing held under this section, the commission may hold a public meeting and the applicant shall give notice as provided by Section 361.0791.

(e) The commission may include any requirement in the permit for remedial action by the applicant that the commission determines is necessary to protect the public health and safety and the environment.

(f) An owner or operator of a solid waste management facility that is in existence on the effective date of a statutory or regulatory change that subjects the owner or operator to a requirement to obtain a hazardous waste permit who has filed a hazardous waste permit application in accordance with commission rules may continue to process, store, or dispose of hazardous waste until the commission approves or denies the application, except as provided by Section 361.110 or, if the owner or operator becomes subject to a requirement to obtain a hazardous waste permit after November 8, 1984, except as provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency or commission rules relative to termination of interim status.

(g) On request under Section 361.082 by a person affected for a hearing on the permit application, the applicant for a permit for a new hazardous waste management facility shall furnish a bond or other financial assurance authorized by the commission to guarantee payment of the costs of a person affected who provides information to the commission on the question of the issuance of the permit and who is entitled to those costs under an order made as provided by Section 361.0833. For applications involving commercial hazardous waste management facilities, the bond or other financial assurance must be in the amount of $100,000. For applications that do not involve commercial hazardous waste management facilities, the bond or other financial assurance must be in the amount of $20,000.

(h) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the commission, consistent with federal law, to issue an order for the closure, post-closure care, or other remediation of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents from a solid waste management unit at a solid waste processing, storage, or disposal facility.