The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by updating the provisions related to groundwater discharge permit fees. It allows the Department to levy an annual fee on facilities or municipalities that discharge wastewater into the ground or groundwater until October 1, 2027. The fee structure is specified, with a group 1 facility being charged $7,500, while group 2 facilities, campgrounds with 1,000 or fewer sites, and municipalities with 1,000 or fewer residents will incur a fee of $1,800. Additionally, group 2a facilities will be charged $300, and group 3 facilities will pay $240.

The bill also stipulates that the Department must grant or deny a permit within 180 days of receiving a complete application, with the possibility of extending this period if agreed upon. If the Department fails to make a decision within the specified timeframe, applicants will receive a 15% discount on their annual groundwater discharge permit fee. Furthermore, municipalities required to pay the fee can pass it on to users of their facilities. The definitions of facility groups have been clarified, explicitly excluding municipalities with populations of 1,000 or fewer residents from certain classifications.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.3122