(1)    Except as provided in sub. (2), if the department requests a person to participate in waste removal activities to mitigate potential environmental impacts and related liability and the department determines that granting a waiver from the fees under ss. 289.63, 289.64, 289.645, and 289.67 will provide an incentive for the person to participate in those activities, the department may grant the person a waiver from those fees for solid waste or hazardous waste that is disposed of as a result of the activities.

   (2)   The department may not grant a waiver under sub. (1) to any of the following:

      (a)    A person who knowingly committed a violation of law that caused or contributed to the need for the waste removal activities.

      (b)    A person who committed an act that the person knew or should have known would cause or contribute to the need for the waste removal activities.

   (3)   The department shall issue a document to a person to whom the department grants a waiver under sub. (1) stating that solid or hazardous waste generated as a result of the waste removal activities for which the waiver is granted is exempt from the fees under ss. 289.63, 289.64, 289.645, and 289.67. The person shall provide a copy of the document to the operator of the licensed solid or hazardous waste disposal facility at which the solid or hazardous waste is disposed of or to any intermediate hauler used to transport the solid or hazardous waste to a licensed facility.