HB 4214 Summary

• Creates a Water Resources Commission within the Department of Environmental Quality consisting of the director of DEQ, director of Department of Natural Resources, and 11 gubernatorial appointees representing commerce, medical expertise, local government, environmental organizations, and the general public.

• Grants the commission supervisory authority over permit issuance, rule promulgation, and department policy development related to water pollution control, requiring commission approval before the department can exercise these powers.

• Establishes the commission as the body to hear complaints alleging water pollution violations and disputed permit decisions, replacing the department as the hearing authority for contested case proceedings under the Administrative Procedures Act.

• Requires oceangoing vessels engaging in port operations in Michigan to obtain permits demonstrating they will not discharge aquatic nuisance species or will use environmentally sound technology if discharging ballast water or waste.

• Maintains existing permit application and annual permit fee structures for surface water discharges through October 1, 2019, with fees ranging from $75 to $213,000 depending on facility type and discharge volume, with a 15% discount available if the department fails to meet decision timelines.