This bill aims to streamline the wetland permitting process for small projects and grants the Department of Environmental Services the authority to establish an alternative adaptive permitting process specifically for emergency or natural disaster responses. Key changes include the amendment of RSA 482-A:11, which now allows local conservation commissions or local river management advisory committees to notify the department of their intent to investigate applications, with the department required to wait for a report from these bodies or 40 days from the notice filing before making a decision. The bill also modifies the timeline for expedited permits, reducing the suspended action limit from 40 days to 21 days and clarifying the notification process.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for emergency response permitting, allowing the commissioner to adopt rules for an alternative permitting process that enables activities necessary for public safety and property protection to commence before receiving formal authorization. The language regarding expedited applications for minimum impact projects has been replaced with a focus on minor projects determined to have minimal impact. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is expected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each fiscal year from 2026 to 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 482-A:11
HB1425 text: 482-A:11