Plain English Breakdown
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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
SF4361 • 2026
Permitting efficiency provisions modification
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Comm report: To pass
Introduction and first reading
Permitting efficiency provisions modification
A bill for an act relating to environment; modifying provisions for permitting efficiency; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 115.542. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 115.542, is amended to read: 115.542 NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES. Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms have the meanings given: (1) "permit" means a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit or state disposal system (SDS) permit; and (2) "permit applicant" means a person or entity submitting an application for a new permit or renewal, modification, or revocation of an existing permit for a publicly owned wastewater treatment facility. Subd. 2. Applicability. This section applies to all draft permits and permits for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities for which the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency makes a preliminary determination whether to issue or deny. Subd. 3. new text begin Prepublic new text end notice new text begin review new text end requirements. new text begin Unless waived by the permit applicant, new text end the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must provide a permit applicant with a copy of the draft permit and any fact sheets required by agency rules at least 30 days before the distribution and public notice of the permit application and preliminary determination. Subd. 4. deleted text begin Permitting efficiency deleted text end new text begin Public notice requirements new text end . The commissioner must prepare and issue a public notice of a completed application and the commissioner's preliminary determination as to whether the permit should be issued or denied. The public comment period must be at least 60 days for permit applications under this section new text begin but may be reduced to 30 days if: new text end new text begin (1) a request for the reduction is made by the permit applicant; and new text end new text begin (2) the commissioner approves the request based on consideration of public or Tribal interest in the permit action new text end . new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Permitting efficiency. new text end Notwithstanding section 116.03 , it is the goal of the state that tier 2 permits for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities be issued or denied within 210 days following submission of a permit application.