House Bill 246 Summary

• Adds Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund to investment flexibility provisions allowing State Treasurer to invest funds with minimum deposits up to $100,000 and fees not exceeding 15 basis points.

• Increases annual solid waste permit fees for multiple facility types including Treatment and Processing Facilities ($500 to $1,500), Tire Monofills ($1,000 to $5,500), Incinerators ($500 to $1,500), Large Compost Facilities ($500 to $1,500), and Land Clearing Landfills ($500 to $1,000).

• Extends Dry-Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act sunset date from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2032, increases allowable fund usage from 1% to 3% annually for hazardous site investigations, and increases civil penalties for violations from $25,000 to $32,500.

• Expands Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund allowable uses to include dredge material disposal site assessments and changes position funding limits from $99,000 to 2% of annual fund credits.

• Restructures Conservation Grant Fund to allow stewardship of state-held properties, establishes endowment accounts with investment income restrictions, requires contributions for conservation property donations, and extends timber revenue retention on Great Coharie property from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2021.