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Committee hears bill to extend inspection timelines after declared emergencies
Summary
Senate Bill 10 would extend statutory timelines for on-site inspections when emergencies—such as floods—make immediate assessment impracticable; DNRC staff registered as informational witnesses and no vote was taken.
Senator Forrest Mandeville, sponsor of Senate Bill 10, told the Local Government Committee the bill would extend some statutory timelines for on‑site inspection following a declared emergency to allow time for accurate damage assessments.
"You don't always know the extent of the damage right away," Mandeville said, recounting flooding in his district that prevented immediate inspection of foundations, drain fields and bridges. SB 10 would add additional time for local officials to perform on‑site inspections after an emergency declaration; the sponsor said the principal changes appear at the end of page 1 and the beginning of page 2 of the bill draft.
Haley Graf, stream permitting coordinator for the Conservation Districts Bureau of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, appeared online as an informational witness and described her role: "My role is to provide technical expertise and general support to conservation districts administering the 3‑10 law." Graf said she was available to answer technical questions but offered no opposition.
No proponents or opponents gave live testimony in the room; no committee questions were raised and the sponsor closed by thanking participants. The committee did not take executive action on SB 10 at the hearing.
If enacted, the bill would temporarily relax inspection deadlines in emergencies to accommodate delayed access to damaged structures and infrastructure; sponsors said the intent is to permit accurate assessments rather than shorten any procedural protections for property owners.
