The bill amends existing laws regarding the trust fund contribution fee for water permits related to nonmunicipal domestic sewage treatment works. It introduces new provisions that prevent the issuance or modification of permits for such treatment works located within five miles of a publicly owned treatment works collection system unless there is a significant threat of pollution or the applicant demonstrates no viable cost-effective alternatives. Additionally, the bill specifies that property owners' associations or homeowners' associations cannot obtain new permit coverage after January 1, 2018, but those with existing coverage before December 31, 2017, may retain it if they comply with the new regulations.

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 it 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 The bill repeals outdated provisions regarding the reduction or waiver of financial assurance for permits and adjusts the conditions under which additional trust fund contribution fees are collected based on the fund's total amount.

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)
Act 935: 8-4-203(b)