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Committee unanimously backs substitute to give drinking‑water regulators a restructuring tool for struggling systems
Summary
The committee unanimously favorably recommended the first substitute to HB 69, a restructuring measure presented as a tool of last resort to help small or resource‑limited drinking‑water systems; the Division of Drinking Water supported the change.
On Jan. 30 the Senate Natural Resources committee unanimously favorably recommended the first substitute to House Bill 69, a restructuring measure intended to provide regulators with a legal tool of last resort for drinking‑water systems that pose serious public‑health risks and are unable to remediate violations.
Representative Albrecht, who presented the substitute, said it was developed from recommendations in the 2023 water report and is designed to help struggling systems through voluntary mergers or, when necessary, a court‑backed restructuring process. "This is a tool of last resort," Albrecht said, stressing a preference for voluntary solutions before the measure is used.
Nathan Lundstead, director of the Division of Drinking Water, testified the division supports the substitute as a mechanism to assist systems that lack resources or dedicated operators. "We see this as a good tool to help our struggling water systems, and just to help provide opportunities to enhance public health and protection through our drinking water systems," Lundstead said, noting prior voluntary successes.
Senator Stratton moved to adopt the substitute and the committee voted to favorably recommend the bill. Committee members asked clarifying questions about guardrails and legislative engagement in the event of escalations; sponsors said the substitute includes mediation steps and legislative oversight options.
The substitute now advances to the next stage of consideration.
