The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by updating several sections, specifically sections 1301, 1305, and 3112. Key changes include the definition of the "application period," which now begins when a permit application is received and ends when the application is deemed administratively complete and any applicable fee is paid. The term "department" is updated to refer to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy instead of the Department of Environmental Quality. Additionally, the bill modifies the processing deadlines for permit applications, reducing the timeframes for determining administrative completeness from 30 days to 7 days for various types of permits.

Further amendments clarify the conditions under which permits can be issued, including requirements for oceangoing vessels to demonstrate compliance with federal aquatic nuisance rules. The bill also stipulates that if the department does not determine whether an application is administratively complete within the specified timeframe, the application is considered complete. The intent of these changes is to streamline the permitting process and enhance environmental protections, particularly concerning aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of related legislation.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 324.1301
House Introduced Bill: 324.1301
As Passed by the House: 324.1301