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Senate committee advances bill to give DEQ authority to evaluate and seek removal of unauthorized campsites
Summary
Senate Bill 2046, presented by Senator Standridge, would allow the Department of Environmental Quality to determine whether campsites meet sanitary and environmental standards and trigger joint notification with the Department of Public Safety; the committee advanced the bill 6–2 after extended questioning about scope, credible-report requirements and removal timing.
Senator Standridge told the committee that Senate Bill 2046 would allow the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine the legality of a campsite and to evaluate sanitary conditions. "It will allow DEQ to determine the legality of a campsite," Standridge said when introducing the committee substitute.
Committee members asked questions about the bill's triggers and timelines. Senator Goodwin pressed for detail on how the "three credible reports" mechanism would work and whether multiple calls from the same person could count; Standridge replied, "No. I believe it would have to be 3 different reports to be credible." Members also sought clarification about removal timelines, noting the committee substitute describes removal within 90 days and includes separate language for municipalities and counties; Standridge agreed the sections apply first to municipalities and then to counties for the same removal standard.
Goodwin asked why DEQ and the Department of Public Safety would be required to jointly notify a county; Standridge said the requirement reflects concerns about public health and safety—if, for example, sanitary conditions threaten groundwater. When asked about fiscal impact, the sponsor described it as likely minimal because DEQ already conducts campground permitting and oversight.
After questions and brief debate, the committee recorded a roll call on SB 2046 and the chair announced that the bill advanced by a vote of 6 ayes and 2 nays. The bill will proceed to the next stage of Senate consideration.
