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Committee advances bill allowing certain cities to set municipal wastewater fees despite reservations from some members
Summary
The committee voted to move Senate Bill 1062A to the floor with a due pass recommendation; supporters said the measure gives specified cities authority to adopt municipal wastewater fees notwithstanding city charters, while some members warned it could set an undesirable precedent for state intervention in local governance.
Senate Bill 1062A, which authorizes specified cities to set fees, rates, or other charges for municipal wastewater services notwithstanding contrary charter or code provisions, was advanced by the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans on May 13, 2025.
LPRO staff summarized the bill and said it would allow affected cities to adopt rates by a majority vote of the governing body; the staff summary noted minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact. Vice Chair Lewis moved the bill to the floor with a "due pass" recommendation and the motion passed after a roll call.
Representative Graber voiced strong concerns and said she would vote no, arguing the state should not override local votes and warning that a one‑time intervention could create a precedent for future state overrides of municipal decisions. Representative Scarlato replied with levity but indicated he would vote yes. Representative Evans framed the measure as providing local governments an option, not as a state imposition: "What the headline here should be legislature is giving local government the options to do what they want. What the headline cannot be ... is that the state is telling locals what to do on this."
The motion passed; Representative Boyce was recorded as excused. Representative Boyce later agreed to carry the bill to the floor. Committee members did not enact amendments during the work session.
