House Bill No. 7170, also known as Public Act No. 25-170, amends existing laws related to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture, with a particular focus on aquaculture and environmental compliance. The bill repeals subsection (a) of section 22a-6 and introduces new provisions that expand the commissioner's powers, allowing for the construction and repair of infrastructure such as service roads and flood prevention systems, while increasing the expenditure threshold for certain projects from $500,000 to $1 million, with annual adjustments based on the Producer Price Index. Additionally, the bill modifies the fee assessment process for environmental compliance, ensuring that fees cover reasonable costs and allowing the commissioner to delay application reviews until fees are paid. It also permits the commissioner to enter into lease agreements for hydroelectricity generation under specific certification standards.

Furthermore, the bill revises definitions related to radioactive materials, including the introduction of terms like "fusion machine" and clarifying the classification of materials made radioactive by particle accelerators. It repeals and replaces sections concerning the management of marine and anadromous finfish, granting the commissioner authority to regulate fishing activities, including establishing open and closed seasons. The bill also allows for the reissuance of commercial fishing licenses for individuals temporarily incapacitated due to medical needs, with specific conditions for transfer upon the license holder's death. Additionally, it mandates the establishment of natural area preserves for endangered species and repeals outdated sections related to recycling and solid waste management, replacing them with updated provisions to streamline regulations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 26-192k, 26-212, 26-213, 26-232, 26-207, 26-209, 26-215, 26-192l
ENV Joint Favorable: 26-192k, 26-212, 26-213, 26-232, 26-207, 26-209, 26-215, 26-192l
File No. 630: 26-192k, 26-212, 26-213, 26-232, 26-207, 26-209, 26-215, 26-192l
Public Act No. 25-170: 26-159a, 26-142b, 23-5c, 26-192l