SB 492 is a legislative bill that amends existing laws related to wastewater engineering. The bill removes the term "intercepting" from sections concerning state aid grants for sewage disposal facilities, thereby excluding "intercepting" sewers from being eligible for state contributions. This exclusion applies to both new constructions and upgrades to existing sewage treatment plants, pumping stations, and sewer separations. The bill also updates the definition of eligible costs to be consistent with the Clean Water Act of 1977, excluding other grants or subsidies. Furthermore, the bill increases the fee for wastewater operator certificate renewals from $50 to $100 and changes the term "consulting engineers" to "consulting engineering firms," which affects the rulemaking process for the prequalification of these firms for public water supply and pollution control projects. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that while there will be no impact on state expenditures, the increased fees for wastewater operator certification are expected to generate an additional $12,500 in annual revenue starting from FY 2025. Local municipalities and counties may experience increased expenditures due to the higher certification fees, estimated at up to $12,000 and $500 per year respectively. The Department of Environmental Services notes that it is unclear how many operators pay the fees themselves versus those whose fees are paid by their employers. The bill does not introduce new funding, authorize new positions, or involve state funding.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 486:1, 486:3, 485-A:4, 485-A:7-c
As Amended by the Senate: 486:1, 486:3, 485-A:4, 485-A:7-c
Version adopted by both bodies: 486:1, 486:3, 485-A:4, 485-A:7-c