§342P-3  Duties, rules, powers,appointment of hearings officers.  (a)  In addition to any other power orduty prescribed by law and in this chapter, the director shall provide for thereview of asbestos and lead abatement plans and the inspection of abatementprojects within the State.

(b)  The director may make, amend, and repealstate rules controlling and prohibiting asbestos pollution and lead-based painthazards and regulating asbestos and lead abatement.  All rules shall be adoptedpursuant to chapter 91.  Any person heard at a public hearing to adopt theserules shall be given written notice of the action taken by the department withrespect to the same.

(c)  The director, without regard to chapter76, may appoint hearings officers to conduct public participation activities,including public hearings and public informational meetings. [L 1991, c 219, ptof §1; am L 1998, c 242, §5; am L 2000, c 253, §150]