HB 385 Summary

• Department of Environmental Quality must submit quarterly reports to the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy on permit applications for natural gas pipelines and gas-fired electric generation facilities, tracking processing times from initial and complete application submission to permit issuance or denial

• Increases penalties for crimes against critical infrastructure to Class C felony with $250,000 fines for contaminating/injuring public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and manufacturing facilities; allows treble damages in civil actions; effective December 1, 2024

• Prohibits adversarial foreign governments designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce from purchasing, acquiring, leasing, or holding interests in quartz mining operations or lands containing high purity quartz; any such transfers are void

• Expands water quality certification requirements under Clean Water Act Section 401 to include electric generation projects at existing or former electric generating facilities

• Restricts local government water and sewer systems from imposing unauthorized conditions on residential development applicants and prohibits scoring systems based on building design elements, minimum square footage, or parking space requirements exceeding 9 feet by 20 feet