Appropriations committee approves moratorium bill on privatizing public water and wastewater systems

The House Appropriations Committee voted to advance House Bill 1964, a measure that would impose a moratorium on the privatization of public water and wastewater systems, and referred the bill to the full House.

The bill summary was presented to the committee by the Executive Director, who told members that HB1964 "provides for moratorium on the privatization of public water and wastewater Systems." Committee members then debated procedure and requested a roll-call vote. A committee member said, "On House Bill 1964, we will need a roll call vote." Chairman Harris announced the result, saying, "Seeing that the eyes have it, House Bill 1964 will pass the committee be re referred to the floor of the House."

The roll-call exchange shows several individual yes and no responses during the recorded polling. The clerk polled members by name and the transcript records affirmative and negative responses from multiple members before the chair declared the bill passed. The committee did not offer further substantive floor debate in the record provided.

The committee’s referral sends HB1964 to the next stage in the legislative process; the transcript does not record next steps or a floor date. The bill’s text and implementation details, including any definitions, exemptions or the moratorium’s duration, were not included in the committee record excerpt.