Substitute House Bill No. 6868, also known as Public Act No. 25-84, seeks to improve the predictability of environmental permitting processes in Connecticut by repealing Section 22a-6aa and introducing new provisions. The bill allows the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to extend the validity of general permits beyond their expiration date until a new permit is issued or a decision is made not to renew, provided that the commissioner gives notice of intent to renew at least 180 days prior to expiration. It also removes the previous requirement for a final decision on renewal to be made within twelve months of expiration, thereby offering greater flexibility. Additionally, the bill establishes new requirements for watershed-level compensatory mitigation, mandates a report on potential improvements to environmental reviews under the state Endangered Species Act, and sets guidelines for public informational hearings.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the petitioning process related to environmental regulations by removing the requirement for petitions to allege unreasonable pollution or destruction of public trust. Instead, it requires that petitions demonstrate specific impacts on the legal rights of at least one petitioner. The response period for objections to petitions is extended from seven to ten days, and a structured process for the commissioner to review petitions and objections is established, with a determination required within thirty days. If a petition is found lacking, the petitioner has the right to appeal the decision. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline the petition process while ensuring the protection of individual rights and the integrity of natural resources.

Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill:
ENV Joint Favorable:
File No. 456:
File No. 946:
Public Act No. 25-84: