SB 124 Summary

• Requires persons reporting pollutant releases to the department to simultaneously notify the primary public safety answering point (9-1-1) and submit written reports to local health departments.

• Establishes new notification requirements for dock or wharf failures occurring in or adjacent to state waters, with 24-hour telephone notification to the department and 10-day written reporting deadlines.

• Increases civil penalties for failure to report releases to the public safety answering point ($2,500-$5,000) and maintains penalties for failure to report to local health departments (up to $500).

• Creates the Great Lakes and Rivers Protection Fund to receive and track civil fines collected from environmental violations, with money expended only for risk assessment and remediation activities in state waters.

• Revises criminal penalty language for violations, clarifying that defendants face imprisonment up to 5 years and fines of not less than $1,000,000 when actions pose substantial endangerment to public health and safety.