Bill Summaries: H1087 WATER/WASTEWATER PUBLIC ENTERPRISE REFORM. (NEW)

Printer-friendly: Click to view
Tracking:
  • Summary date: Jul 2 2020 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO IMPROVE VIABILITY OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS OF CERTAIN UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATIONS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO UNDERGO A REVIEW OF INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT; TO CREATE AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE VIABLE UTILITY RESERVE TO PROVIDE GRANT MONEY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS; TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY PROCESS FOR MERGER AND DISSOLUTION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ESTABLISHED UNDER CHAPTER 162A OF THE GENERAL STATUTES; TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS TO THE OPERATION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS; TO STUDY SUBBASIN TRANSFERS AND HISTORICAL CHARTERS; TO REALLOCATE CERTAIN UNUSED FUNDS FROM THE PFAS RECOVERY FUND; TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AND FOR WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS; AND TO INCORPORATE FLOOD STORAGE CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS INTO THE ACTIVITIES AND PURPOSES OF THE DIVISION OF MITIGATION SERVICES. SL 2020-79. Enacted July 1, 2020. Effective July 1, 2020, except as otherwise provided.


  • Summary date: Jun 25 2020 - View Summary

    Conference report makes the following changes to the 6th edition.

    Part IV

    Increases the amount of funds the Department of Environmental Quality is directed to transfer from the Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund to the Division of Water Resources, by August 15, 2020, from $12,283,657 to $15,799,314. Eliminates the directive requiring a fund transfer from the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund to the Division. Instead, appropriates $15 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to DEQ to be allocated to the Division. Now provides that the funds are to provide a State match for an estimated $89,396,979 (was $82,396,979) in federal funds for the specified water development projects. Expands the list of projects to include NRCS EQIP/Stream Restoration, State-Local Projects (WRD Grant Program), and Water Resources Planning (SL 2010-143), with coordinating specified amounts. Additionally increases the amount of intended funds carried forward to supplement the listed projects from $24,567,314 to $30,799,314. Adds the same three projects and provides coordinating carried forward amounts. Makes conforming and technical changes. 

    Makes technical changes to proposed GS 143-214.11A concerning flood storage capacity restoration and enhancement. 

     

    Makes technical changes to the act's organization. 


  • Summary date: Jun 19 2020 - View Summary

    Senate amendments make the following changes to the 5th edition.

    Amendment #1

    Adds new subsection (9) to GS 143-214.8 requiring the Division of Mitigation Services (Division) to include a new component focused on restoration and monitoring of projects or land acquisitions that create or restore flood storage capacity.

    Adds new subsection (7) to GS 143-214.9 to authorize the Division to reduce flood risk by creating or restoring flood storage capacity in streams, wetlands, and floodplains.

    Revises GS 143-214.12(a) to authorize allocation of funds from the Ecosystem Restoration Fund for issues related to flood storage capacity and mitigation of flood risk.

    Revises GS 143-214.13(a) to require the Division to include information about flood storage capacity projects in required reports. Revises GS 143-214.13(b) to require the Department of Environmental Quality to maintain an inventory of property that enhances or restores flood storage capacity.

    Enacts GS 143-214.11A to require that, to the extent funds are available for this purpose, basinwide plans developed pursuant to GS 143-214.10 include plans for restoration and enhancement of flood storage capacity. Directs the Division to establish an advisory board to guide program development and implementation for flood storage enhancement or restoration projects. Directs the Division to comply with procurement preferences in GS 143-214.11(i).

    Makes technical changes.

    Amends long title.

    Amendment #2

    Adds new Section 9A to the bill directing the Division of Water Infrastructure to allocate $310,000 of funds appropriated for 2020-21 to abate an imminent hazard to public health caused by damage to a specific sewer line.

    Amends Section 11 to add to the water resources development projects intended to receive funds carried forward to include West Onslow CSRM and Cape Fear Lock and Dam #2 and #3 Fish Ramp. Specifies carry forward amounts. Adjusts carry forward amounts for other projects and makes conforming changes.


  • Summary date: Jun 17 2020 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 4th edition.

    Part II

    Makes organizational changes to the funding provisions.

    Adds the following new content.

    Directs for the funds appropriated to the Division of Water Infrastructure for the 2018-19 fiscal year by SL 2018-5 and deposited in the PFAS Recovery Fund to be transferred and reallocated in specified amounts to the following projects: (1) to the Compensatory Mitigation Fund to dissolve the conservation easement associated with the Little Alamance Creek stream restoration project held by the State, with additional needed funds provided by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) from available DEQ funds; (2) to the Oil or Other Hazardous Substances Pollution Protection FUnd for DEQ to investigate and remediate petroleum product discharges into State waters that are ineligible for funding from programs addressing leaking underground storage tanks; (3) to provide a grant to MountainTrue for recreational water quality testing; and (4) to respond to contamination and other related water and wastewater infrastructure needs to the Towns of Maysville, Benson, Angier, and Kenansville. Effective June 30, 2020.

    Part III

    Appropriates from the Volkswagon Litigation Environmental Mitigation Fund (Fund) $30,681,886 to fund Phase I of the August 28, 2018, Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (Plan), consistent with the specified trust agreement established in the consent decree resolving the identified federal court case and in accordance with Section 13.2 of SL 2017-57, as amended. Requires allocation of the appropriated funds for diesel bus and vehicle replacements or upgrades and Level 2 and DC charging stations. Authorizes DEQ, as the designated lead agency under the trust agreement, to transfer and use up to $1,534,094 for administrative purposes in executing the Plan. Requires unencumbered funds at the end of the 2019-21 fiscal biennium to be returned to DEQ pursuant to the trust agreement.

    Part IV

    Directs DEQ to transfer, $12,283,657 in nonrecurring funds from the cash balance of the Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund, and the Department of Commerce to transfer $12,283,657 in nonrecurring funds from the cash balance of the Film and Entertainment Grant Fund, to the Division of Water Resources by August 15, 2020. Appropriates the transferred funds to the Division of Water Resource to be allocated, along with funds carried forward from previous years, in specified amounts for 15 identified projects for 2020-21 totaling $28,410,270 as State matching funds for an estimated $82,396,979 in federal funds. States legislative intent to use funds carried forward from previous years to supplement the funds appropriated. Provides a schedule of specified amounts carried forward for use in 14 specified projects, totaling $12,857,035. Provides for flexibility in funding in the event of actual costs varying from estimates, or delays in project commencement. Restricts use of funds to no more than 50% of the nonfederal portion of funds for projects in which a local government participates, applicable to funds appropriated by this act and funds appropriated prior to the current fiscal biennium proposed for reallocation to such projects.

    Makes conforming organizational changes. Changes the act's long title.

    Requires DEQ to submit semiannual reports on the use of funds to the specified NCGA committee and division, and the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) with specified content.


  • Summary date: Jun 11 2020 - View Summary

    House amendment makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

    Part II

    Modifies the following additional appropriations. Previously, appropriated $4.8 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) for the 2020-21 school year to be allocated to the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (Center) to be used for residencies in the Center service areas and for facility and structural improvements associated with current residency programs. Now, directs the State Controller to transfer $4.8 million from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Coronavirus Relief Fund (both established in SL 2020-4, 2020 Coronavirus Recovery Act), and appropriates the funds on a nonrecurring basis to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to be allocated to the BOG for 2020-21 for residencies in the Center service areas and for COVID-19 related response activities. Makes the general provisions of Part I of SL 2020-4 applicable to the funds and requires OSBM to include the funds in the report required under Section 1.7 of SL 2020-4.


  • Summary date: Jun 9 2020 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

    Part I

    Effective June 30, 2020, repeals Section 11, subsections (d) through (h), of SL 2019-241, which amend specified statutes similarly to those amended by Part I of this act, if Senate Bill 553 (Regulatory Reform Act of 2019) becomes law.

    Part II

    Adds the following additional appropriations. Appropriates $4.8 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for the 2020-21 school year to be allocated to the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center to be used for residencies in the Center service areas and for facility and structural improvements associated with current residency programs. 

    Part IV

    Makes the entire act effective July 1, 2020 (previously, Sections 1 through 3 of Part I of the act were to become effective October 1, 2020, with the remaining provisions effective July 1, 2020).

    Changes the act's long title.


  • Summary date: Jun 3 2020 - View Summary

    House committee substitute deletes the content of the 1st edition and now provides the following.

    Part I

    Section 1

    Makes the following changes to GS Chapter 159G, Water Infrastructure.

    Amends GS 159G-20 to define distressed unit, operating deficit, and Viable Utility Reserve. Modifies the term local government unit to also include a metropolitan water and sewerage district. Makes organizational changes and updates GS Chapter 162A Article and GS Chapter 160A references.

    Amends GS 159G-22 to establish the Viable Utility Reserve (Reserve) account within the Water Infrastructure Fund to receive appropriated State funds. Specifies that credited revenue to the account is neither received from the federal government nor provided as a match for federal funds. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to establish accounts within the Reserve to administer grants for public water systems or wastewater systems owned by local government units. 

    Amends GS 159G-30 to include the administration of grants made from the Reserve, through the Division of Water Infrastructure (Division), in DEQ's responsibilities. Makes clarifying and technical changes.

    Amends GS 159G-31 to establish that a local government unit, as now defined, is eligible to apply for a grant from the Reserve. Also authorizes the Local Government Commission (Commission) to submit an application on behalf of a distressed unit for an emergency grant to cover operating deficits of the unit's public water system or wastewater system; deems such applications approved by the Commission upon submission.

    Amends GS 159G-32 to specify six authorized uses for grants from the Reserve, including rehabilitating existing public water or wastewater infrastructure, decentralizing an existing public water or wastewater system, funding a study of rates, asset inventory and assessment, merger and regionalization options, and providing emergency grants for operating deficits.

    Enacts GS 159G-34.5, detailing four types of authorized Reserve grants: (1) an asset assessment and rate study grant, (2) a merger/regionalization feasibility grant, (3) a project grant, and (4) emergency grant for operating deficit. Conditions the emergency grant category upon the Commission exercising control over the affairs of the unit's public water system or wastewater system or the unit or authority that owns or operates the system pursuant to specified state law. Authorizes Reserve grants to be awarded to a regional council or government or a regional planning commission if DEQ and the Local Government Commission determine it is in the best interest of the local government unit. Requires separate accounts in the Reserve for each type of grant.

    Amends GS 159G-35 to require the Local Government Commission and the State Water Infrastructure Authority (Authority) to jointly develop evaluation criteria to review grant applications and award grants from the Reserve as provided in GS 159G-39, as amended. Makes clarifying changes.

    Amends GS 159G-36 to prohibit the amount of a Reserve grant from exceeding the construction costs of a project. Specifies that grant availability is limited to the extent that other funding sources are not reasonably available to the applicant. Caps grants from the Reserve to any single local government unit at $15 million, and at $30 million where two or more governmental units are merging into a single utility, except emergency grants are capped at $750,000 per local government unit with a duration limit of three consecutive fiscal year.

    Expands the application provisions set forth in GS 159G-37 concerning loans and grants from other Reserves under the Chapter to include applications for grants from the Reserve.

    Amends GS 159G-39 to require the Local Government Commission to approve the grant award and terms before a grant can be awarded. Deems any emergency grant application submitted by the Commission on behalf of a distressed unit to be approved by the Commission. Authorizes DEQ and the Local Government Commission to impose specific performance measures or conditions on a Reserve grant, in their discretion.

    Enacts GS 159G-45 to require the Authority and the Local Government Commission to develop criteria for assessment and review of local government units to identify distressed units, defined as a public water or wastewater system exhibiting signs of failure to identify or address those financial or operating needs necessary to enable that system to become or to remain a local government unit generating sufficient revenues to adequately fund management and operations, personnel, appropriate levels of maintenance, and reinvestment that facilitate the provision of reliable water or wastewater services. Details five components which the criteria should address, including whether the public water or wastewater system has an established, operational, and adequately funded program for its repair, maintenance, and management. Requires distressed units to take certain actions, as described, including developing an action plan for short- and long-term infrastructure repair, maintenance and management, continuing education of the governing board and system operating staff, and long-term financial management. Also requires distressed units to conduct an asset assessment and rate study, and participate in a training and educational program. Provides that once the requirements are met, the local government unit is no longer identified as a distressed unit for the remainder of that assessment and review cycle. Requires the assessment and review cycle of local government units to be no less than every two years, with frequency to be established by the Authority and the Local Government Commission.

    Effective October 1, 2020.

    Section 2

    Enacts Article 10, Dissolution and Merger of Units, to GS Chapter 162A. Defines unit as the same entities created under GS Chapter 162A that are included in the term local government unit under GS Chapter 159G, as amended. Details information which must be provided to the Environmental Management Commission (Commission) prior to any action under the Article to merge or dissolve any unit. Requires the Commission to provide a copy of the submitted information to DEQ and the Local Government Commission upon receipt of a request to dissolve or merge. Specifies notice requirements for district boards of affected units and any other governing boards affected upon confirmation of the time and place for a public hearing on dissolution or merger. 

    Authorizes a unit to merge with any other unit, county, city, consolidated city-county, sanitary district, or  joint agency, as described, (1)  if the merger is a condition of receiving a grant from the Reserve or (2) upon approval of the Commission, in consultation with DEQ and the Local Government Commission. Provides for the the transfer of assets, liabilities, and obligations by resolution of the Commission, as specified, and details dissolving a unit upon satisfaction of certain criteria. 

    Authorizes a unit to be dissolved (1) if the merger is a condition of receiving a grant from the Reserve or (2) in order to merge with another unit, county, city, consolidated city-county, sanitary district, or joint agency, as described, and establish a new entity upon approval of the Commission, in consultation with DEQ and the Local Government Commission. Provides for the the transfer of assets, liabilities, and obligations by resolution of the Commission, as specified, and dissolving a unit.

    Establishes the effective date for merger or dissolution upon the adoption of a resolution by the Commission to be fixed as of June 30 following the adoption or the second June 30 following the adoption of the resolution. Details the effect of a merger or dissolution upon adoption of a resolution by the Commission and authorizes all governing boards and district boards to take actions and execute the documents necessary to effectuate the described provisions. 

    Effective October 1, 2020.

    Section 3

    Enacts Part 5, Water and Wastewater Systems, to Article 20, GS Chapter 160A. Sets forth defined terms. Authorizes interlocal cooperation between local government units for any purpose. Makes the joint exercise of powers provisions of Part 1 of Article 20 apply when two or more local government units agree to contract for one or more undertaking under new Part 5. 

    Effective October 1, 2020.

    Section 4

    Directs DEQ to study the statutes and rules governing subbasin transfers. Details requirements of the study, including whether the costs of complying with specific statutory requirements are worth the benefits of the requirements. Requires DEQ to submit a report to the Commission by January 15, 2021.

    Section 5

    Directs the Department of State Treasurer to study the feasibility of authorizing historical charts for local government units that have become or may become defunct. Details requirements of the study, including the consequences of such charters. Requires the Department of State Treasurer to report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2021.

    Section 6

    Repeals Section 14 (Water/Wastewater Public Enterprise Reform) of SB 553 (Regulatory Reform Act of 2019) if that act becomes law.

    Part II

    Section 7

    Directs the Department of Commerce to transfer, by August 15, 2020, $9 million in nonrecurring funds from the One North Carolina Fund to the Water Infrastructure Fund for 2020-21. Appropriates the transferred funds to the Viable Utility Reserve to implement the award of grants pursuant to GS 159G-32, as amended.

    Part III

    Section 8

    Reenacts and incorporates by reference the State Budget Act, GS Chapter 143C. 

    Section 9

    Provides for the continued validity of 2019 legislation expressly appropriating funds to a State entity covered by the act unless expressly repealed or amended.

    Section 10

    Provides for Parts II and III of the act to become effective July 1, 2020.

    Changes the act't titles.


  • Summary date: May 14 2020 - View Summary

    Requires the State Controller to transfer $300,000 for 2019-20 from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Coronavirus Relief Fund (Relief Fund) under the CARES Act of 2020. Appropriates that $300,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the Relief Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for various health care needs related to public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides that the funds do not revert but remain available until December 30, 2020. 

    Requires DHHS to report to the specified NCGA committees and division by March 1, 2021, on the use of the appropriated funds.