House Bill 247

Chair's Name: Austin Scott

Committee: Governmental Affairs

House Sponsor: Bob Smith

HB 247 prevents local governments from requiring owners of homes or farms which are served by private wells to connect to the public water system. Also, local governments cannot require those property owners to pay associated charges or fees when services are not used. There are some exceptions for situations involving high density areas, revenue bonds, federal or state grants, or where the property owners fail to respond that they wish to opt out of the services.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Governmental Affairs Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Scott�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB 247 prevents local governments from requiring individuals to connect to water systems supplied by said government.  This is an individual rights bill.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The need to preserve individual freedoms

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Size of Government:

Limits governments powers over individuals

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

Lets those individuals with a well or some other self supplied water source decide whether or not to use a service provided by a local government

Senate Changes:

The Senate added a new section 2A to the bill which deals with liability and indemnification of subrecipients of state grant funds. The amendment seeks to make the subsection apply retroactively.