Raised Bill No. 5394 proposes amendments to the statutes governing the Metropolitan District of Hartford County, focusing on the audit process, the roles and compensation of board members, and the district's financial operations. The bill introduces gender-neutral language and mandates annual audits by the Auditors of Public Accounts, a change from the previous biennial audits. It also requires the district to post its budget online and allows the board to require officers to provide bonds for faithful performance. The bill revises the submission process for audits, now involving the Auditors of Public Accounts rather than the Metropolitan District Commission, and clarifies that district-issued bonds do not count as state or political subdivision debt. Language specifying the Metropolitan District Commission's responsibility for audits and references to audit costs in bond expenses have been removed.

Additionally, the bill establishes a task force to review the Metropolitan District's charter and operations, with a report due by January 1, 2026, and requires the adoption of a model code of ethics by the same date. It changes the composition of the board of commissioners, reflecting updates in the legislative context, and sets the effective date of the bill as July 1, 2024. The bill also details the appointment process and terms for district board members, including those from nonmember municipalities who will have voting rights on water rates starting July 1, 2024. The bill includes new legal language insertions and does not specify any deletions from current law.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 2-90, 7-391