WATER DISCHARGE FEES H.B. 5223 (H-2):
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 5223 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Doug Bennett
House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Date Completed: 9-21-09
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 31 (Water Resources Protection) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to delay the expiration of water discharge fees from October 1, 2009, to October 1, 2011. The fees are for the following:
-- A storm water discharge permit.
-- An application for a new permit, a reissuance of a permit, or a modification of an existing permit authorizing a discharge into surface water, other than a storm water discharge.
-- An annual permit authorizing a discharge into surface water, other than a storm water discharge.
MCL 324.3118 & 324.3120 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would extend the sunset for several storm water discharge permit fees to October 1, 2011. These fees are projected to bring in almost $1.8 million by the end of FY 2008-09 and are a major funding source for the Department of Environmental Quality's surface water program. Without the ability to collect these, fees the Department would very likely be forced to make programmatic cuts to the surface water program.
Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5223/0910