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 after expiration, thereby offering greater flexibility. Additionally, the bill establishes new requirements for watershed-level compensatory mitigation, mandates a report evaluating potential improvements to environmental reviews under the state Endangered Species Act by February 1, 2026, and sets guidelines for public informational hearings.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for filing petitions related to environmental regulations by removing the requirement that a petition must allege unreasonably polluting activities. Instead, it requires that petitions demonstrate how at least one person's legal rights, duties, or privileges will be affected and satisfy the criteria to intervene under section 22a-19. The timeframe for state agencies to object to petitions is extended from seven to ten days, and a structured process for objections and responses is outlined, with the commissioner required to determine the validity of petitions within thirty days. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the petition process while ensuring that only legitimate claims can intervene in environmental regulatory matters.

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