Bill > S07086

This bill provides for the disposition of certain fees and penalties related to environmental conservation, directing such fees to a conservation enforcement account in the state conservation fund. Key provisions: - Fees and penalties collected under titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law, as well as under section 71-0211, would be deposited into a new conservation enforcement account within the conservation fund. This money would be used exclusively to fund the enforcement of the environmental conservation law. - The bill increases various civil and criminal penalties related to environmental violations, such as increases to penalties for violations of the invasive species, freshwater wetlands, oil spill, petroleum bulk storage, and hazardous waste laws. - The bill also clarifies that all fines and penalties collected under the environmental conservation law, other than amounts prescribed by law to be directed into other funds, will be deposited into the new conservation enforcement account. This bill aims to strengthen enforcement of environmental laws and regulations by dedicating increased funding to that purpose through the new conservation enforcement account.