The proposed bill amends the Social Welfare Act to create a low-income water residential affordability program designed to assist eligible customers with their water bills. It establishes definitions for key terms such as "affordability program," "eligible customer," and "fund," and sets eligibility criteria for individuals with household incomes not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or those receiving certain forms of assistance. The bill mandates the creation of a low-income water residential affordability fund and assigns the department the responsibility of developing and administering the program, ensuring that eligible customers pay no more than 3% of their household income on water bills.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for forgiving water bill arrearages for enrolled customers, with caps based on the level of arrears at enrollment. It allows for a tiered discount system based on household income and requires providers to inform customers about the program's availability. The bill emphasizes collaboration between providers and community organizations for effective implementation and mandates that providers submit detailed plans for their programs to the department for approval. It also stipulates that existing affordability programs do not require reapplication for customers, and if a provider fails to implement the program for two consecutive years, they must enroll eligible customers in the existing program. The bill clarifies that it supersedes conflicting local ordinances and outlines the application process for assistance.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 400.1, 400.119