House committee approves SB 299 to strengthen water pollution penalties

The House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation. The meeting began with a review of Senate Bill 241, which faced opposition from some members due to concerns about its lack of detail and premature timing. Representative Knapp expressed reservations, stating that the absence of testimony from the Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) made him hesitant to support the bill. Despite the dissent, SB 241 passed with a vote of 9 to 7.

Following this, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 299, which addresses penalties for contractors violating water pollution and waste disposal regulations. Representative DuPont introduced a motion for the bill to pass, emphasizing its importance in protecting homeowners and regulating bad practices in the industry. The motion received unanimous support, passing with a vote of 16-0.

The final item on the agenda was Senate Bill 110, concerning terrain permitting. Representative Donnelly proposed the bill for passage, noting its redundancy as it had already been included in House Bill 2. Representative Darby supported this motion, highlighting the bill's potential to promote housing development while still protecting the environment. SB 110 also passed with a vote of 15-1.

In conclusion, the committee successfully advanced all discussed bills, with SB 241 passing despite some opposition, and both SB 299 and SB 110 receiving strong bipartisan support. The meeting concluded with no minority reports filed, and the committee chair officially closed the session.