Raised Bill No. 189 proposes amendments to section 22a-6p(b) of the general statutes, which concerns the issuance of permits by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The bill, effective July 1, 2024, introduces a new schedule for timely action on permit applications, including a provision that the schedule begins once an application is received, public notice requirements are met, and the application fee is paid. It sets a maximum period of 90 days for the DEEP to issue a decision on the permit or identify deficiencies in the application. If the DEEP does not issue a decision within 90 days, the permit will be deemed granted. Additionally, the bill reduces the time for the DEEP to notify applicants of deficiencies from 60 to 45 days after receiving an application.

The bill also outlines a maximum 90-day period for the DEEP to issue a tentative determination to grant or deny the permit after receiving sufficient application materials, down from the previous 180 days. This 90-day period does not include any time spent waiting for additional materials requested by the commissioner. The bill allows for extensions of these time periods under certain conditions, such as when action by another agency is required, judicial proceedings affect the application process, enforcement proceedings could result in permit revocation, or the applicant agrees in writing to extend the time period. The purpose of the bill is to establish a 90-day limitation for permit issuance decisions by the DEEP.