HOUSE BILL NO. 6550

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

by amending sections 3120 and 3122 (MCL 324.3120 and 324.3122), section 3120 as amended by 2021 PA 91 and section 3122 as amended by 2019 PA 79.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 3120. (1) Until October 1, 2025, an application for a new permit, a reissuance of a permit, or a modification of an existing permit under this part authorizing a discharge into surface water, other than a storm water discharge, must be accompanied by an application fee as follows:

(a) For an EPA major facility permit, $750.00.

(b) For an EPA minor facility individual permit, a CSO permit, or a wastewater stabilization lagoon individual permit, $400.00.

(c) For an EPA minor facility general permit, $75.00.

(2) Within 180 90 days after receipt of a complete application for a new or increased use permit, the department shall either grant or deny the permit, unless the applicant and the department agree to extend this time period.

(3) By September 30 of the year following the submittal of a complete application for reissuance of a permit, the department shall either grant or deny the permit, unless the applicant and the department agree to extend this time period.

(4) If the department fails to make a decision on an application within the applicable time period under subsection (2) or (3), all of the following apply:

(a) The department shall return to the applicant the application fee submitted under subsection (1).

(b) The applicant is not subject to an application fee.

(c) The applicant shall receive a 15% annual discount on an annual permit fee required for a permit issued based on that application.

(5) Until October 1, 2025, a person who that receives a permit under this part authorizing a discharge into surface water, other than a stormwater discharge, is subject to an annual permit fee as follows:

(a) For an industrial or commercial facility that is an EPA major facility, $8,700.00.

(b) For an industrial or commercial facility that is an EPA minor facility, the following amount:

(i) For a general permit for a low-flow facility, $150.00.

(ii) For a general permit for a high-flow facility, $400.00.

(iii) For an individual permit for a low-flow facility, $1,650.00.

(iv) For an individual permit for a high-flow facility, $3,650.00.

(c) For a municipal facility that is an EPA major facility, the following amount:

(i) For an individual permit for a facility discharging 500 MGD or more, $213,000.00.

(ii) For an individual permit for a facility discharging 50 MGD or more but less than 500 MGD, $20,000.00.

(iii) For an individual permit for a facility discharging 10 MGD or more but less than 50 MGD, $13,000.00.

(iv) For an individual permit for a facility discharging less than 10 MGD, $5,500.00.

(d) For a municipal facility that is an EPA minor facility, the following amount:

(i) For an individual permit for a facility discharging 10 MGD or more, $3,775.00.

(ii) For an individual permit for a facility discharging 1 MGD or more but less than 10 MGD, $3,000.00.

(iii) For an individual permit for a facility discharging less than 1 MGD, $1,950.00.

(iv) For a general permit for a high-flow facility, $600.00.

(v) For a general permit for a low-flow facility, $400.00.

(e) For a municipal facility that is a CSO facility, $6,000.00.

(f) For an individual permit for a wastewater stabilization lagoon, $1,525.00.

(g) For an individual or general permit for an agricultural purpose, $600.00, unless either of the following applies:

(i) The facility is an EPA minor facility and would qualify for a general permit for a low-flow facility, in which case the fee is $150.00.

(ii) The facility is an EPA major facility that is not a farmers' cooperative corporation, in which case the fee is $8,700.00.

(h) For a facility that holds a permit issued under this part but has no discharge and is connected to and is authorized to discharge only to a municipal wastewater treatment system, an annual permit maintenance fee of $100.00. However, if a facility does have a discharge or at some time is no longer connected to a municipal wastewater treatment system, the annual permit fee must be the appropriate fee as otherwise provided in this subsection.

(6) If the person required to pay an application fee under subsection (1) or an annual permit fee under subsection (5) is a municipality, the municipality may pass on the application fee or the annual permit fee, or both, to each user of the municipal facility.

(7) The department shall send invoices for annual permit fees under subsection (5) to all permit holders by December 1 of each year. A fee must be based on the status of the facility as of Octobe