The Community Sewerage System Infrastructure Sustainability Act aims to improve the accountability and sustainability of community sewerage and water systems in Louisiana. The bill mandates that community sewerage systems must obtain verification from the Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Health, and the legislative auditor before they can seek approval for additional debt, capital outlay, or rate adjustments. It also establishes penalties for non-compliance and outlines the responsibilities of state agencies in monitoring these systems. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of sewerage system funds for purposes unrelated to system improvement, ensuring that customer payments are used appropriately.

The legislation further addresses accountability for community water systems that receive a letter grade of "D" or "F," allowing for civil action to appoint a court receiver or fiscal administrator if state funds are needed for emergencies related to these systems. It establishes that such grades indicate financial instability, enabling the Fiscal Review Committee to evaluate the financial stability of political subdivisions. Local governing authorities are prohibited from using revenue from customer payments for any purpose other than improving and sustaining these poorly graded systems, with violations potentially leading to civil actions and mandatory safe water purchases from other systems. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Health to create necessary implementation rules and will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
SB73 Enrolled: 40:9(C)(1), 40:1(F)
SB73 Act : 40:9(C)(1), 40:1(F)