MI HB4908

Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to approve or deny permit applications by a processing deadline, with option to extend by up to 20% if requested by the applicant.

Increases financial penalties for missed deadlines from 15% to 50% of the greater of either the application fee or first periodic assessment/fee charged to permit holders.

Establishes a private sector review process allowing applicants to hire licensed professional engineers (approved by the department) to review permits, with the department required to process within 21 days of receiving the engineer's findings or within 21 days after any required hearing.

Deems permit applications automatically approved if the department fails to meet processing deadlines for permits under sections 11509, 11512, or 30304, preventing the department from using such failures as basis for discriminating against applicants.

Requires annual reporting to legislature and public posting on department website detailing permit processing statistics, including applications received, approved, denied, processed out of sequence, and refunds or discounts paid under these provisions.