HF2852

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to protect the environment by ensuring that large animal feedlot projects undergo thorough environmental scrutiny before construction or expansion.

Main Provisions

• Mandatory Environmental Review: The bill mandates that an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared for any new or expanding animal feedlot facilities with a capacity of 10,000 or more animal units.
• Rule Amendment: It requires the Environmental Quality Board to amend existing rules to enforce this requirement.
• Rulemaking Authority: The commissioner can expedite the adoption of these rules using a "good cause exemption," bypassing some standard procedures typically required for rulemaking.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a new requirement for large feedlot projects to obtain an EIS, which previously may not have been mandatory, thus increasing regulatory oversight over such projects.

Relevant Terms

environmental impact statement, animal feedlot, Environmental Quality Board, large livestock projects, rule amendment, good cause exemption, environmental regulation.