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Committee passes 'Mason’s Law' requiring municipalities to inventory and repair open drainage inlets
Summary
The committee unanimously approved HB 34 (Mason’s Law), which requires municipalities to inventory open drainage inlets by 07/01/2027, prioritize improvements by 04/01/2028 and complete prioritized inlet repairs by 04/01/2031, with specified matching funds support.
Chair Foley told the committee that, as amended, HB 34 requires municipalities to inventory the number and location of all publicly and privately owned existing open drainage inlets within their boundaries by 07/01/2027. By 04/01/2028 each municipality must develop a prioritization plan for making improvements, and municipalities must complete improvements to drainage inlets included in the plan by 04/01/2031.
Amendment 2 clarified definitions and required that in certain fiscal years specified funding be used as matching funds to assist municipalities with the cost of improvements. The sponsor said the changes also clarified terms and set a timeline to facilitate planning and funding. Committee members praised the proposal; the committee adopted the amendments and passed the bill unanimously. Chair Foley noted Delegate Allen will floor‑lead the bill.
The measure creates a structured timetable and matching‑fund requirement to accelerate repairs of open drainage inlets identified by Mason’s family advocacy. The committee advanced HB 34 to the floor with unanimous support.
