Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs $50 million wastewater infrastructure program with carve‑out for smaller communities
Summary
The committee approved a bill creating a $50 million wastewater infrastructure grant program, with an amendment guaranteeing up to $12.5 million of the appropriation for communities with population under 12,500 and a further amendment limiting each community to one project per biennium; the measure was referred to appropriations.
Committee members considered House Bill 1577, which would establish a wastewater infrastructure grant program and appropriate $50,000,000 for grants to communities for sewer and wastewater projects.
Nut graf: Sponsors said the program addresses urgent needs in many communities with aging systems or inadequate wastewater treatment; the committee adopted amendments to (1) increase the population carve‑out threshold for the guaranteed smaller‑community portion from 5,000 to 12,500 and (2) ensure no community may receive more than one project award per biennium.
Representative Foss and others discussed the geographic distribution and the intention that the $12,500,000 carve‑out ensures smaller communities have access to funds. Representative Doctor moved the amendment raising the population threshold to 12,500; Representative Hedlund seconded a later amendment that added a one‑project‑per‑biennium cap on communities.
Action: After amendment, the committee voted to give House Bill 1577 a due‑pass recommendation and re‑refer it to the Appropriations Committee. Proponents said the funding level was a starting point intended to attract appropriators; members noted larger requests could be considered in Appropriations.
Ending: The committee advanced the program with eligibility and anti‑double‑dipping safeguards; the bill goes next to Appropriations for funding consideration.
