House panel approves bill barring local stormwater rules stricter than state construction permit

The House Environmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved House Bill 1037, which would prohibit municipalities and municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) operators from adopting or enforcing sediment and erosion control measures that are stricter than the state'issued construction stormwater general permit. The committee vote was 9 in favor, 4 opposed.

Proponents, including bill sponsor Rep. Doug Miller, said the bill clarifies that local ordinances may not exceed the state permit and would reduce a patchwork of local rules that complicate construction across multiple jurisdictions. "This bill would not lessen current federal standards," Miller said, adding the measure aims to "provide certainty to property owners operating in multiple areas across the state."

Supporters at the hearing included industry groups and trade associations who told the committee that, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved transition of IDEM's program from a rule to a general permit, some local…