Requiring Disclosure of Lawful Purpose Behind DEP Permit Application

HB 4107 requires applicants to DEP for air or water permits to state lawful business activity or purpose for the permit applied for.

Sponsors: Evan Hansen

ISSUES: Clean Air, Development, Pure Water

CWV Position: Supports

Position Statement: HB 4107 because it increases transparency in environmental permitting by requiring disclosure of the real parties and activities behind permit applications, helping communities understand who is proposing projects and strengthening accountability for environmental impacts.

• Improves transparency: HB 4107 helps ensure that permit applications clearly disclose who is actually behind a project, reducing the use of shell entities that obscure responsibility.

• Strengthens public participation: Communities can only engage meaningfully in public notice and comment processes when they know who is proposing a project and what activities are involved.

• Enhances environmental accountability: Clear disclosure makes it easier to enforce environmental laws and hold responsible parties accountable for violations affecting air, water, and land.

• Supports good governance: Transparent permitting processes build public trust and credibility in environmental decision-making.

Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.