The bill seeks to improve the efficiency of the Wetland Conservation Act and streamline the environmental and resource management permit application process in Minnesota. Key provisions include the requirement for the Pollution Control Agency to issue separate permits for the construction and operation of certain facilities, modifications to the expedited permitting process, and a mandate that petitioners for environmental assessment worksheets must reside in the affected or adjoining counties. The bill also eliminates scoping requirements for environmental assessment worksheets for projects needing an environmental impact statement and introduces a limit on the number of extensions for determinations under the Wetland Conservation Act. Additionally, it shifts reporting on permitting efficiency from annual to semiannual and requires detailed reports on permit processing times and reasons for delays.

Moreover, the bill establishes an ombudsman for business permitting within the Department of Employment and Economic Development to assist businesses in navigating the permitting process and to facilitate their participation in regulatory development. It streamlines the environmental review process by stating that an environmental assessment worksheet is not required for projects necessitating a mandatory environmental impact statement and mandates the Environmental Quality Board to amend existing rules accordingly. The legislation also includes provisions for the collection of annual fees from sources of volatile organic compounds, ensuring these fees cover the costs of the notification, permit, or license program requirements, and introduces a mechanism for adjusting fees based on the Consumer Price Index. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the clarity and efficiency of the permitting process while balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 15.99, 116.03, 116.07, 116D.04, 116J.035