The proposed bill aims to establish a "low-income water residential affordability fund" within the state treasury to assist low-income residents with their water bills. The fund will be financed through contributions from various sources, and the state treasurer will manage its investments and disbursements. Key provisions include allocating a portion of the fund for administrative costs, providing financial support for income-based bill discounts, arrearage payments, and water loss mitigation programs. The bill also stipulates that payments made from the fund are exempt from legal processes aimed at collecting debts, ensuring that funds are used solely for their intended purposes.

Additionally, the bill introduces a funding factor, initially set at $1.25 per month per retail water meter, which will increase annually and be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. Water providers are required to include this funding factor on customer bills and remit collected funds to the state treasury. The bill mandates annual reporting from providers regarding the funding factor's collection and disbursement, and it allows for the creation of a donation mechanism for customers and philanthropic entities to contribute to the fund. The enforcement of these provisions will be overseen by the attorney general, and the bill will only take effect if certain related legislation is also enacted.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 400.1, 400.119