(a) The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality or its successor shall be charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing this subchapter, with the advice and assistance of the licensing committee, and is given and charged with the following powers and duties:

(1) To conduct examinations for licensing, which shall be conducted at least annually and more frequently as the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission shall deem necessary;

(2) To issue licenses to qualified wastewater treatment plant operators, to renew those licenses, and to suspend or revoke the licenses for cause, after due notice and hearing;

(3) To institute court proceedings to compel compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto; and

(4) To participate financially in programs sponsored by the Arkansas Water Environment Association or its successor, provided that the participation shall not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per fiscal year.

(b)

(1) The commission shall serve as the rulemaking and appointment authority for implementation of this subchapter.

(2) Its powers shall include:

(A) To adopt rules and regulations implementing and effectuating this subchapter as may be necessary for the administration and enforcement thereof;

(B) To make appointments to the licensing committee in accordance with this subchapter; and

(C) To set reasonable licensure and examination fees to cover the costs of administration of this subchapter.