SB 646: Reducing agricultural water pollution

Most businesses in the state can discharge pollutants into rivers and lakes only under a permit issued by the state, and they must pay a discharge fee. Farmers have long received waivers from these permit and fee requirements, although the state has begun to limit the use of these waivers. SB 646 (Kuehl) would have tightened the permit and fee requirements for farmers receiving conditional waivers from the state.