A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish fast‑track permitting for nondischarge permits.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143‑215.1B.  Fast‑track for nondischarge permitting.
(a)	The Commission shall adopt rules to establish a fast‑track permitting process that allows for the issuance of nondischarge permits without a technical review when the permit applicant submits a permit application prepared by a qualified professional. In developing the rules, the Commission shall consult with a technical working group that consists of industry experts, engineers, environmental consultants, and other interested stakeholders. The rules shall, at a minimum, provide for all of the following:
(1)	A process and time line for permit application, review, and determination, including time lines for a pre‑submittal meeting, limited requests for additional information, and an application completeness determination.
(2)	The types of professionals that are qualified to prepare a permit application submitted pursuant to this section and the types of qualifications such professionals must have.
(3)	That permits issued pursuant to the fast‑track permitting process comply with State water quality standards adopted pursuant to this Article.
(4)	A process for establishing the liability of a qualified professional who prepares a permit application for a nondischarge permit that fails to meet the requirements of this Article and rules adopted pursuant to this Article.
(b)	The Department may charge a fast‑track permitting fee that is not more than twice the application fee that would otherwise be charged under G.S. 143‑215.3D."
SECTION 2.  The Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules implementing Section 1 of this act no later than July 1, 2021.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.