This bill introduces a provision for the collection of a limited surcharge on wastewater services provided to customers outside municipal boundaries. The bill amends RSA 362:4, III(a) to allow for a rate up to 15 percent higher than that charged to customers within the municipality, provided there is an inter-municipal agreement under RSA 53-A for wastewater services. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 362:4, VII(a) to clarify that homeowners associations, including condominium unit owners associations, are not considered public utilities by virtue of providing water or sewer services.

The bill also adds a new paragraph (I-a) to RSA 149-I:10, specifying the purposes for which the funds received from the sewer rate surcharge can be expended. These purposes include the acquisition, construction, management, maintenance, operation, and repair of sewer systems, as well as the expansion or replacement of natural gas lines or systems by municipal gas systems or providers regulated by the public utilities commission. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of September 01, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 362:4, 149-I:10
As Amended by the Senate: 362:4, 149-I:10
Version adopted by both bodies: 362:4, 149-I:10
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 362:4, 149-I:10