Senate Bill No. 1496 proposes a series of amendments to the statutes governing the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), enhancing its regulatory authority and operational efficiency. Key changes include the repeal of subsection (a) of section 22a-6, which is replaced with provisions that empower the commissioner to adopt, amend, or repeal environmental standards, enter contracts, initiate complaints, and conduct inspections. The bill also expands the commissioner's ability to construct or repair infrastructure, such as service roads and flood prevention systems, with a revised expenditure threshold of one million dollars, subject to annual adjustments based on the Producer Price Index. Additionally, it introduces new fees for record reviews and compliance monitoring, aiming to streamline DEEP's operations.

The bill further modifies regulations related to radioactive materials and commercial fishing licenses. It updates the definition of "by-product material" to include materials made radioactive by fusion machines and clarifies licensing processes for commercial fishing, including provisions for temporary reissuance of licenses due to medical exigencies. Notably, the bill removes prioritization for rebates in the CHEAPR program for residents of environmental justice communities and adjusts rebate amounts for income-qualified residents. It also repeals several outdated programs and statutes, ensuring that DEEP's operations align with current practices and federal standards while maintaining a focus on public health and environmental protection.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 26-159a, 26-142b, 23-5c
ENV Joint Favorable: 26-159a, 26-142b, 23-5c
File No. 670: 26-159a, 26-142b, 23-5c