An Act to Update Waste Discharge License Fees
Sponsored By: Nicole C. Grohoski (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Funding for state water quality work
The state provides $55,791 in FY 2025–26 and $57,409 in FY 2026–27 from the Maine Environmental Protection Fund. The money supports water quality licensing, compliance checks, monitoring, data, and administration at the Department of Environmental Protection.
Higher fees for marine aquaculture permits
Marine finfish aquaculture license holders pay $1,682 each year. General permit coverage for marine aquaculture also costs $1,682 per year.
Annual fee for municipal storm sewers
Municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits cost $1,306 each year.
Flat fees for mixing zones and licenses
The fee for a new or amended mixing zone is $9,254. This is in addition to other fees. Forming a sanitary district costs $693. Transferring a residential or commercial sanitary wastewater license costs $140.
Higher wastewater discharge license fees
The law resets license fees using 2019 amounts times 1.4. This applies to all waste discharge license groups unless a different fee is listed in law. The fish‑rearing category is renamed terrestrial fish‑rearing. 2019 fees are $538 for up to 0.1 million gallons per day (MGD) and $1,368 for over 0.1 MGD; the 1.4 multiplier applies. Example: a 2019 fee of $1,000 now costs $1,400.
Surcharges for sewer overflows harming shellfish
The law adds two annual surcharges to protect shellfish areas. A $12,000 total charge is split among towns and treatment plants with combined sewer overflows that may affect shellfish, based on each entity’s prior 3‑year average flow. A $25,000 total charge is split among treatment plants whose outfalls close shellfish areas, based on closed acreage set by Marine Resources with DEP.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nicole C. Grohoski
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 62
5/9/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
5/6/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/30/2025HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-24).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/29/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-24) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-24).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
4/24/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate on February 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2
2/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-24), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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