The bill amends existing laws regarding the trust fund contribution fee for water permits related to nonmunicipal domestic sewage treatment works. Key changes include a stipulation that the division will not consider applications to issue or modify permits for such treatment works located within five miles of a publicly owned treatment works unless there is a significant threat of pollution or the applicant demonstrates no viable alternatives through a feasibility study. Additionally, the bill prohibits the issuance, renewal, or transfer of permit coverage to property owners' associations or homeowners' associations after January 1, 2018, unless they had coverage prior to December 31, 2017.

Furthermore, the bill reduces the initial trust fund contribution fee from ten percent to eight percent of the estimated construction costs for new or modified nonmunicipal domestic sewage treatment works, capping the fee at $100,000. It also allows the division to reduce the fee under certain conditions, such as when the treatment works is subject to enforcement actions. The bill repeals expired provisions related to the reduction or waiver of financial assurance for permits and modifies the conditions under which additional trust fund contribution fees are collected, ensuring that fees will not be collected when the fund exceeds $2.1 million until it falls below $1.5 million.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB546 Original - 3-20-2025 03:41 PM: 8-4-203(b)
Old version SB546 V2 - 4-9-2025 11:10 AM: 8-4-203(b)
SB 546: 8-4-203(b)