HB 856 Summary

• The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall establish voluntary expedited permitting fees for permits, certifications, and authorizations required under solid waste, air quality, water quality, underground storage tank, and water use programs.

• Expedited permitting fees must cover all costs associated with the permitting, certification, or authorization process and related compliance and support activities.

• Fees collected shall be deposited into the special fund for the specific environmental program, or if no special fund exists, into the State General Fund.

• The bill amends six Mississippi Code sections (17-17-27, 17-17-405, 49-17-29, 49-17-429, 51-3-5, and 51-3-39) to authorize charging these expedited fees for hazardous waste permits, waste tire site authorizations, air pollution permits, water pollution permits, underground storage tank certifications, water use permits, and dam construction authorizations.

• The act becomes effective July 1, 2011.