Environmental Permit Fee Refunds (Sec. 1307)

Current understanding

Section 1307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451) governs administrative provisions for environmental permits, including refund of permit fees when the state fails to act within statutory timeframes. HB5936 (103rd Michigan Legislature) proposes to amend this section to require refunds of permit fees when regulatory decisions are delayed beyond a set timeframe, tightening the accountability mechanism on EGLE and other permitting agencies. The bill has passed one chamber.

Evidence log

• 2026-06-25 — Environmental protection: permits; approval process for certain permits; modify. Amends secs. 1301, 1305, 1307, 3112 & 30307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1301 et seq.).: HB5937 also amends sec. 1307 (alongside secs. 1301, 1305, 3112, and 30307) as part of a broader modification to the approval process for certain environmental permits under 1994 PA 451; passed chamber. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-25 — Environmental protection: permits; refund of permit fees in the case of delayed decisions; provide for. Amends sec. 1307 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.1307).: cross-connection with wetlands-permit-regulation: Sec. 1307 fee-refund requirements govern the administrative timeliness of all NREPA permits, including wetlands permits issued under sec. 30305, tying together procedural reform (HB5936) with substantive wetlands permit changes (HB5502). (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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