§18110. State fuel inspector

1.  Inspection.  A state fuel inspector, upon written complaint or whenever a state fuel inspector considers it necessary, for purposes of examination may enter into and upon and inspect all buildings, dispensing stations and premises within that state fuel inspector's jurisdiction at all reasonable hours. An inspector may enter a building, dispensing station or other premises within that state fuel inspector's jurisdiction only with the permission of the person having control of the building, dispensing station or other premises or, after hearing, upon order of the court. Whenever a state fuel inspector finds any installation of oil, solid fuel, propane or natural gas equipment or a chimney in a building or structure that does not comply with the requirements of this chapter, that inspector shall order that the installation be removed or remedied, and that order must be complied with immediately by the owner or occupant of the building, dispensing station or other premises or by the installer of the equipment in violation. If a state fuel inspector finds an installation that falls under the inspector's jurisdiction in a building, dispensing station or structure that creates a danger to other property or to the public, the inspector may serve a written order upon the owner and the occupant, if any, to vacate within a reasonable period of time to be stated in the order.

[PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2.  Order to correct deficiency; appeal.  A person ordered by a state fuel inspector to correct a deficiency or to vacate a building or structure may appeal the order by filing a written notice of appeal with the board within 30 days after receipt of the order. The board shall schedule an appeal hearing as soon as practicable upon receipt of a timely notice of appeal. The appeal hearing must be conducted de novo and is governed by the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act applicable to adjudicatory hearings. The state fuel inspector who issued the order on appeal has the burden of proof at the appeal hearing. If the board upholds the order, it shall prescribe the time required for compliance. The person receiving the order under subsection 1 may appeal the board's decision by filing a petition for review in Superior Court in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 within 30 days after receipt of the board's written decision.

[PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3.  Final orders.  The decision of the Superior Court on an appeal is final. An order by a state fuel inspector and an order by the board are final and subject to no further appeal upon failure to file a timely, written appeal as provided in subsection 2.

[PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4.  Injunction to enforce order.  Upon the failure of any person to carry out a final order as provided in subsection 3, the board may petition the Superior Court for the county in which the building or dispensing station or structure is located for an injunction to enforce that order. If the court determines, on hearing such a petition, that a lawful final order was issued, it shall order compliance.

[PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5.  Authority of state fuel inspectors.  A state fuel inspector has authority throughout the several counties of the State, similar to that of a sheriff's, relating to enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. These powers are limited to the issuing of citations, the serving of summonses, the conducting of investigations, the ordering of corrections of violations and the issuance of orders to vacate a building or structure in accordance with this chapter. A state fuel inspector may review the oil, solid fuel, propane or natural gas equipment or chimney installation records of any person licensed under this chapter or any person performing installations authorized under this chapter.

[PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. C, §3 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 344, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).