The bill amends the Emergency Management Act of 1976 by adding a new section, 10a, which establishes protocols for notifying residents about dangerous levels of E. coli in county waters. If a health officer or their designee determines that E. coli levels exceed safe limits due to sewage discharge, they are required to notify the county's emergency management coordinator within 12 hours. Following this notification, the coordinator must issue a "brown alert" to residents within the same timeframe, providing critical information about the contamination's location and associated health risks.

The bill defines key terms such as "brown alert," which refers to an emergency alert issued through the Wireless Emergency Alerts system, and specifies what constitutes a "dangerous level of E. coli" as exceeding 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters. It also clarifies the role of the health officer, who oversees either a county health department or a multi-county health department. This legislation aims to enhance public safety and ensure timely communication regarding water quality issues.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-3): 30.401, 30.421
House Introduced Bill: 30.401, 30.421
As Passed by the House: 30.401, 30.421