This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by revising sections 1301, 1305, 1307, and 1311, and introduces a new subpart focused on general permit processing. It establishes definitions for key terms such as "application period," "department," and "director," while removing references to the Department of Environmental Quality in certain contexts. The bill clarifies processing deadlines for permit applications, requiring the department to approve or deny applications by a specified deadline, with the possibility of extensions upon applicant request. Additionally, it mandates written documentation for permit decisions, introduces penalties for non-compliance, and requires the director to submit an annual report on permit statistics.

The bill also creates a new subpart addressing "Overburdened Communities," defining terms like "discriminatory" and "environmental justice impact assessment." It requires the department to publish a list of overburdened communities and mandates that permit applications for facilities in these areas include an environmental justice impact assessment and a public hearing. Applications will not be deemed complete without these requirements, and permits found to be discriminatory must be denied unless they serve a compelling public interest. The bill outlines conditions for permits to protect public health and mitigate environmental impacts, establishes a fee structure for implementation costs, and mandates the promulgation of rules to enforce these provisions within one year of the bill's effective date.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.1301, 324.1313, 324.1317