Senate Bill 156 Summary

• Creates an air pollution control commission within the Department of Environmental Quality, consisting of the department director plus 11 appointed members representing commerce, local government, health professionals, environmental organizations, and the general public.

• Grants the commission supervisory authority over permit issuance/denial, rule promulgation, and department policy development, requiring commission approval before the department can exercise these powers.

• Authorizes the commission to receive air pollution complaints and require the department to take investigatory or enforcement action, or request the attorney general to commence legal action.

• Amends air quality fee calculations for fee-subject facilities, establishing tiered facility charges ($5,250 for Category I, $1,795 for Category II, $250 for Category III) plus emissions charges based on actual pollutant tonnage at a rate of $51.15 per ton.

• Requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature detailing department activities funded by the emissions control fund, including permit processing statistics, enforcement actions, inspections, and complaints received.