HB 373 Environmental Quality Amendments

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The Third Sub to this bill requires DEQ to regularly meet with the Federalism Commission. It keeps the expansion of the pollution control equipment tax incentive and repeals the Air Quality Policy Advisory Board. 

The Second Sub and amendment to this bill is much better than the orginal version and the first sub. The second sub will repeal the Air Quality Advisory Board, and create an informal legislsative working group with the intent of having better conversations and information sharing between DEQ and the legislature. It keeps the expansion of the pollution control equipment incentive as was in the original version. It removes the burdensome 45 day review process on roughly 15,000 DEQ actions annually. We support this version. 

The First Substitute of this bill, which has not yet been adopted as of 2/7/24, is very concerning. 

The first substitute will repeal the Air Quality Advisory Board and create a new Legislative Environmental Advisory Commission comprised of 15 legislators: 8 Representatives and 5 Senators, who shall advise the Governor, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Air Quality Board on how the state should be implementing the Clean Air Act. It also imposes a burdensome 45 day review process for over 15,000 DEQ/DAQ tasks annually. Stay tuned for further information.

Original Bill:

This bill makes many changes to the Department of Environmental Quality. 

1. Changes the makeup of the Air Quality Policy Advisory Board. It opens seats for fuels, mining, manufacturing, increasing the board from 12 members to 15. 

2. Requires Coordination Council oversight on nearly all DEQ tasks like permitting, applications, etc. This would gravely impact Division of Air Quality and other divisions in the Department.

3. Makes changes to the sales and use tax exemption for pollution control equipment.

Sponsors

  • Rep. Snider, Casey
  • Sen. Sandall, Scott

Position

Support 2nd Sub over orignal version or 1st Sub. This still creates burdensome oversight of DEQ, but better than the previous versions. 

Previous versions and 1st Sub - Concerned - This bill creates unneccessary and burdensome oversight of the Department of Environmental Quality. 

Status 

1/24 Numbered, sent for fiscal input

2/2 House Natural Resources. Substituted. Favorable Recommendation. 12-0-2

2/16 House 3rd Reading. Passed. 65-2-8

2/27 Senate Natural Resources. Substituted. Favorable Recommendation. 5-2-1

2/28 Senate 3rd Reading. Passed. 20-6-3

2/28 House concurs with senate amendments 57-10-8

Scheduled Hearings

Past Hearings 

Floor Debates

 

Additional Info

  • Position: PASSED
  • Bills: HB 373