Bill > HB3030

This bill modifies the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act by eliminating fee caps on water pollution control and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which regulate water pollution discharge. The bill maintains the existing Water Quality Management Fund in the State Treasury and outlines specific fee structures for various permit types, with particular attention to surface coal mining operations. Specifically, the bill establishes new annual fees for permit applications, renewals, modifications, reissuance, and transfers for surface coal mining operations, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the type of action. The bill also introduces a $500 fee for water quality certification applications related to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits. The secretary of the relevant department is authorized to propose rules for legislative approval regarding fee schedules and can void permits that have outstanding fees more than 90 days past due. The bill requires quarterly reporting of established and collected fees to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, ensuring transparency in the fee collection process. The goal appears to be creating a more flexible and potentially revenue-generating permitting system for water pollution control in West Virginia.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=3030&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill