HB 4569 Summary

• Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to change language from "permitted" to "authorized" regarding discharges of raw sewage, making unauthorized discharges subject to remedies and penalties under section 3115.

• Adds new subsection (6) creating prima facie evidence of violation for petroleum discharge from pipelines crossing over, through, or under state waters, with penalties prescribed in section 3115.

• Increases civil fine for failure to report a release to the department or primary public safety answering point from $2,500 to $50,000.

• Increases maximum civil fine for petroleum discharge violations to $500,000 per day (compared to $25,000 per day for other violations).

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.