Sec. 4a.

(1) Not later than October 1, 2007, the department shall establish an expedited permit application review process available for projects described in subsection (7). The expedited review process shall be available through September 30, 2010. To be eligible for expedited review, an applicant shall submit all of the items under subsection (2) not later than September 30, 2010.

(2) A supplier requesting an expedited review shall do all of the following:

(a) At least 10 business days prior to submitting an application under subdivision (b), notify the department electronically, in accordance with the instructions provided on the department's website, of his or her intent to request expedited review.

(b) Submit electronically a complete application for a permit, including a request for expedited review and including, via credit card, the appropriate fee under subsection (3).

(c) Provide a written copy of the construction plans and specifications for the project that has been prepared, signed, and sealed by a licensed professional engineer to the department postmarked not later than the date that the application is submitted electronically.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (5), the fee for an expedited review is as follows:

(a) Water main projects with total lengths less than 1,000 feet, $1,000.00.

(b) Water main projects with total lengths greater than or equal to 1,000 feet and less than 3,000 feet, $1,500.00.

(c) Water main projects of total length greater than 3,000 feet and less than or equal to 10,000 feet, $2,000.00.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6), if an applicant does not comply with subsection (3), the department shall not conduct an expedited review and any submitted fee shall not be refunded. Within 10 business days of receipt of the application, the department shall notify the supplier of the reasons why the department's review of the application will not be expedited. Upon receipt of this notification, the supplier may correct the deficiencies and resubmit an application and request for an expedited review with the appropriate fee specified under subsection (5). The department shall not reject a resubmitted application solely because of deficiencies that the department failed to identify in the original application.

(5) For a second submission of an application that originally failed to meet the requirements specified in subsection (4), the applicant shall instead include a fee equal to 10% of the fee specified in subsection (3). However, if the deficiency included failure to pay the appropriate fee, the second submission shall include the balance of the appropriate fee plus 10% of the appropriate fee. If the applicant makes additional changes other than those items identified by the department as being deficient, the applicant shall instead include an additional fee equal to the fee specified in subsection (3). For the third and each subsequent submittal of an application that fails to meet the requirements specified in subsection (4), the applicant shall include an additional fee equal to the fee specified in subsection (3).

(6) If the applicant fails to sign the application, submits construction plans and specifications that have not been prepared, signed, and sealed by a licensed professional engineer, or submits an insufficient fee, the department shall notify the applicant within 5 business days of the deficiency. The application shall not be processed until the deficient items are addressed. If the applicant does not provide the deficient items within 5 business days after notification by the department, the application shall be handled as provided in subsection (4).

(7) A request for an expedited permit application review is limited to projects that consist solely of installation of new water mains of less than or equal to 10,000 feet located in a county with a population of between 750,000 and 1,000,000 and any contiguous county with a population of greater than 160,000. Expedited permit application reviews are not allowed for other projects requiring a permit under this act including, but not limited to, projects involving water treatment processes, ground or elevated storage tanks, chemical feed systems, wells, booster stations, pumps, new proposed waterworks systems subject to a capacity assessment, or projects funded under the state drinking water revolving fund established under section 16b of the shared credit rating act, 1985 PA 227, MCL 141.1066b.

(8) The department shall review and make a decision on a complete application submitted with a request for expedited review pursuant to the following schedule:

(a) Until September 30, 2008, the department shall make a permit decision within 20 business days of receipt by the department of the complete application, including plans and specifications.

(b) From October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, the department shall make a permit decision within 15 business days of receipt by the department of the complete application, including plans and specifications.

(c) From October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, the department shall make a permit decision within 10 business days of receipt by the department of the complete application, including plans and specifications.

(9) If the department fails to meet the deadlines specified in subsection (8), the department shall continue to expedite the application review process for an application submitted under this section. However, the fee for an expedited review required under this section shall be refunded if the department fails to meet the deadlines established in subsection (8).

(10) The department shall transmit fees collected under this section to the state treasurer for deposit into the infrastructure construction fund created in section 4113 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.4113.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) "Complete application" means that the application form provided by the department is completed, all requested information is provided, and the application can be processed without additional information.

(b) "Expedited review" means an expedited review of a permit application under this section.

(c) "Licensed professional engineer" means a professional engineer licensed under article 20 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.2001 to 339.2014.

(d) "Project" means a plan or proposal to install new water mains within a waterworks system located in 1 general area where all the components are interconnected but does not include a waterworks system proposed for construction in separate parcels of land or development areas.

History: Add. 2006, Act 601, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2007