This bill establishes a Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund within the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, aimed at providing financial assistance for the repair, replacement, and treatment of private drinking water sources affected by natural disasters. The fund is designed to be nonlapsing and continually appropriated, separate from other state funds. The bill allows the commissioner of environmental services to accept various forms of financial contributions, including gifts, donations, grants, legislative appropriations, and other funds, which will be deposited into the newly established fund. Additionally, the commissioner is tasked with adopting rules for the distribution of the fund's money, considering factors such as the ability to pay, natural disaster conditions, and the requirements for repair or replacement.

The bill also includes an appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, which will remain available until June 30, 2025, for the purpose of assisting with the funding of water source repairs due to natural disasters. The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that there will be an indeterminate increase in state revenue and expenditures, but the specific funding source for the increase is the Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund. The Department of Environmental Services anticipates that the duties and activities under the proposed RSA 485-J will be funded with the accompanying appropriation and that there will be no additional fiscal impact beyond the appropriation. The bill is set to take effect on June 30, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12
As Amended by the Senate: 6:12