HB 5442 Summary

• Reduces minimum wetland size subject to state regulation from 5 acres to 4 acres for isolated wetlands not contiguous to Great Lakes, inland lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams.

• Allows local units of government to regulate wetlands as small as 4 acres or less through ordinance, maintaining consistency with state definition and standards.

• Updates references to the "United States Army Corps of Engineers" throughout the statute for proper capitalization and formatting.

• Modifies permit application language to clarify that local units of government may "approve with modifications" or deny applications, establishing a 90-day decision deadline with automatic approval if no decision is made.

• Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to notify local units of government within 15 days of issuing wetland permits for activities within their jurisdiction.