House Sponsors: MCCARTHY AND FRANKS. Short description: BALLAST DISCHARGE PERMIT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a person shall not operate on the waters of the State a vessel that contains ballast water that was acquired outside the waters of the State, unless the ballast water and any sediment therefrom have been sterilized as required by Agency rule. Provides that a violation of this provision is a Class 3 felony. Provides that a person operating a vessel on the waters of the State shall not cause ballast water or sediment to be discharged into the waters of the State, unless the discharge is authorized by a permit issued by the Agency. Provides that a violator of this provision is liable for a civil penalty. Requires the Agency to establish a Ballast Water and Sediment Inspection Program that assures that aquatic nuisance species do not enter the waters of the State through the direct or indirect discharge of ballast water or sediment. Provides for deposit of permit and inspection fees into the Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Aquatic Nuisance Species Prevention Fund. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status