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Committee clears bill requiring utility reporting and continuing education for water, wastewater and stormwater systems
Summary
A committee substitute for Senate Bill 7-90 was approved requiring quarterly operational and financial reporting and at least six hours of continuing education annually for certain water, wastewater and stormwater utilities; fiscal estimate reduced by scope changes.
The Senate Government Organization Committee adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 7-90 that requires quarterly operational and financial reporting to county commissions or municipalities by water, wastewater and combined systems and stormwater utilities, and requires at least six hours of continuing education annually for system operators with emphasis on financial management, regulatory compliance and operational best practices.
Committee counsel said an earlier fiscal estimate of $1.5 million was reduced after the committee substitute narrowed the bill’s scope to reporting and continuing education. Counsel also said the Public Service Commission supports the committee substitute. Charlotte Lane, identified in the transcript as chair of the Public Service Commission, was noted as present. A senator from the Sixth District said the bill stemmed from utility struggles in his district and expressed support for PSC involvement to help troubled systems comply and operate effectively.
The committee adopted the committee substitute by voice vote and voted to report it to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass; the motion included a first reference to the committee on finance. The transcript records voice votes with the chair declaring the ayes to have it.
