Substitute Senate Bill No. 149 amends the general statutes regarding the enforcement of unpaid sewer assessments and related fees and charges. The bill sets a minimum interest charge of five dollars or as provided in the amended subsection for delinquent installments of assessments and establishes that unpaid assessments and interest constitute a lien on the property, with priority over other liens except taxes. It also specifies that liens for unpaid assessments on owner-occupied real estate cannot be enforced unless the principal exceeds $4,000 or the lien has been unpaid for over five years. Furthermore, the bill permits municipalities to assign liens for unpaid sewer assessments and charges, with the terms of such assignments to be negotiated, but with the same restrictions on owner-occupied real estate as for enforcement.

The bill, which will take effect on October 1, 2024, and applies to actions filed on or after that date, also repeals and replaces language in section 22a-506 of the general statutes related to the authority to levy and collect benefit assessments and order connections to wastewater systems. The fiscal impact statement notes no state impact but a potential municipal impact due to possibly reduced debt collection by Water Pollution Control Authorities (WPCAs), which may be balanced by increased sewer use fees and assessments. The bill maintains the 15-year statute of limitations for sewer liens.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 39: