General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6977 seeks to amend the renewal process for licenses and certificates issued by the Department of Public Health, introducing a two-year renewal cycle for certain licenses under section 20-278h and a three-year renewal period for certificates under section 20-195ttt. The bill requires all license and certificate holders to provide their full name, residence, business address, and any other requested information during the renewal process. Additionally, it revises regulations for alternative on-site sewage treatment systems by increasing the capacity limit from five thousand to ten thousand gallons per day and mandates the Commissioner of Public Health to adopt regulations defining discharge categories and establishing minimum operational requirements.

The legislation also enhances the regulatory framework for small community sewerage systems and public water systems. It replaces the previous requirement for water company plans to be reviewed by the department with a new approval process for construction or expansion of drinking water systems, requiring detailed plans and documentation. The bill allows for department inspections, water quality testing, and monitoring, while clarifying that no approval is needed for compliant distribution water main installations. Furthermore, it proposes biennial license renewals for bulk water haulers and allows the Department of Public Health to adopt interim policies for subsurface sewage disposal systems with a capacity of ten thousand gallons. The effective dates for these changes are set for immediate passage and July 1, 2025, for specific sections.