Requiring an annual interagency cooling tower compliance review and increasing related enforcement.

This bill would require the Department of Buildings (DOB) to create an annual list of properties for which DOB possesses records indicating the presence of a cooling tower. It would then require either DOB or the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to do an annual cross-referencing of this list against existing cooling tower registrations and certifications to identify non-compliant properties. DOB would then have to issue notices of violation. Upon a determination of liability, property owners would have to disinfect the cooling tower within a specified time and, for vacant properties, discontinue use of the cooling tower. However, property owners would not be subject to the disinfection and discontinuation requirements if they can submit certain documentation or proof to the satisfaction of DOB and DOHMH.