The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 75, aims to streamline the permitting process for the remediation of hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant, in lakes throughout the state. The bill mandates that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection expedite the issuance of permits for such remediation efforts. Specifically, it stipulates that if no action is taken on a submitted permit within three months, the permit will automatically be deemed approved.

This legislative change is intended to address the urgent need for effective management of hydrilla in state lakes, thereby enhancing environmental protection and promoting the health of aquatic ecosystems. The bill does not include any deletions from current law but introduces new language to ensure timely action on remediation permits.