AN ACT STUDYING THE REMEDIATION OF HYDRILLA IN STATE LAKES AND THE EXPEDITING OF PERMITS RELATED TO SUCH REMEDIATION.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill states it takes effect upon passage, but no specific calendar date is given in the text.

Study on Removing Hydrilla from State Lakes

This law requires state agencies to study the best ways to remove hydrilla plants from lakes and create faster permit rules for that work.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to conduct a study on removing hydrilla in state lakes with help from the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species.
• Asks agencies to look at effective methods like harvesting plants or treating small spots without full permits to stop them from growing larger.
• Requires the creation of new rules to speed up permit approval for hydrilla removal projects so they happen at the best time and cost.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• The Office of Aquatic Invasive Species
• People or groups who hold permits to remove plants from state lakes

Terms To Know

Hydrilla

A type of aquatic plant that grows in water and can spread quickly.

Remediation

The process of fixing a problem or cleaning up an area, such as removing unwanted plants.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill only orders a study and does not immediately change current laws on how to remove hydrilla.
• The final results of the study are not included in this text because they will happen after the law passes.
• The specific timeline for finishing the study is not listed in the provided document.

Official Summary Text

To examine the most effective methods and protocols for the remediation of hydrilla in state lakes, including ways to expedite permits for such remediation.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 831 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 145
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 831

Referred to Committee on ENVIRONMENT

Introduced by:
(ENV)

AN ACT STUDYING THE REMEDIATION OF HYDRILLA IN STATE
LAKES AND THE EXPEDITING OF PERMITS RELATED TO SUCH
REMEDIATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage ) The De partment of Energy and 1
Environmental Protection shall conduct a study, in conjunction with the 2
Office of Aquatic Invasive Species, on the remediation of hydrilla in 3
state lakes. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an 4
examination of the most effective methods of eliminating and 5
controlling hydrilla in such lakes, including , but not limited to, the 6
harvesting of such hydrilla and the ability to spot treat areas not 7
specifically authorized by a permit in an effort to prevent such areas 8
from enlarging. Additionally, such department shall develop protocols 9
for the expediting of permits to remediate hydrilla for alignment of the 10
issuance of such permits with the most efficacious time period and cost- 11
effective methodology for the treatment, remediation or harvesting of 12
such hydrilla by the applicable permittee. 13

Raised Bill No. 145

LCO No. 831 2 of 2

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 from passage New section

Statement of Purpose:
To examine the most effective methods and protocols for the
remediation of hydrilla in state lakes , including ways to expedite
permits for such remediation.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]