Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The Clarifying Federal General Permits Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to enhance the administration of general permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). It explicitly authorizes the Administrator to issue general permits on a State, regional, nationwide, or delineated area basis for categories of activities with similar types of discharges from similar sources. A key provision addresses permit expiration, requiring the Administrator to publish a notice in the Federal Register at least two years in advance if a new general permit for similar discharges will not be issued. If such a notice is not provided, the terms and conditions of the expired general permit will continue to apply to both existing and new discharges that would have been covered. This continuation lasts until a new permit is issued or two years after a non-renewal decision is officially published, providing regulatory certainty during transitions.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Environmental Protection
Clarifying Federal General Permits Act
USA119th CongressHR-3899| House
| Updated: 6/13/2025
The Clarifying Federal General Permits Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to enhance the administration of general permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). It explicitly authorizes the Administrator to issue general permits on a State, regional, nationwide, or delineated area basis for categories of activities with similar types of discharges from similar sources. A key provision addresses permit expiration, requiring the Administrator to publish a notice in the Federal Register at least two years in advance if a new general permit for similar discharges will not be issued. If such a notice is not provided, the terms and conditions of the expired general permit will continue to apply to both existing and new discharges that would have been covered. This continuation lasts until a new permit is issued or two years after a non-renewal decision is officially published, providing regulatory certainty during transitions.