SS/SCS/HB 501 - This act revises various provisions relating to water and sewer systems.

WATER POLLUTION BONDS - The act amends various provisions of the bonding authority of the Board of Fund Commissioners. Bonds for water pollution control, drinking water system improvements and stormwater control may be issued in an amount of $17.5 million, in addition to sums authorized prior to August 28, 2002. Bonds for rural water and sewer projects may be issued in an amount of $10 million in addition to sums authorized prior to August 28, 2002. Bonds for storm water control plans, studies and projects in first classification counties and the City of St. Louis may be issued in an amount of $17 million in addition to sums authorized prior to August 28, 2002. This provision is identical to part of SB 256.

JACKSON COUNTY COMMON SEWER DISTRICT - The act allows Jackson County to increase the membership of the common sewer district board of trustees from seven to eight and alters the membership of the board. The approval required for issuing bonds by all common sewer district is changed from four-sevenths to a majority of the voters of the sewer district who vote on the question. The act provides another option that allows the common sewer district to issue bonds if approved by the written assent of three-quarters of the customers of the sewer district. This provision is identical to SB 591.

CONTRACT TO TERMINATE SERVICES - Currently, St. Joseph and Arnold are authorized to contract with private or public water services to terminate a customer's services at the direction of the city for failure to pay. The act expands this provision to any city, town or village in the state.

PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS - Missouri landowners have the right to own private water systems, unless prohibited by city ordinance, as long as the landowner complies with all regulations of DNR. This provision is similar to a provision in SB 256.

CONSOLIDATION OF SEWER DISTRICTS - Except for the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, any sewer district created under Chapter 204, RSMo, or Chapter 249, RSMo, may consolidate into one sewer district. The governing bodies of two or more contiguous sewer districts must determine that a consolidated sewer district would better serve the area within its boundaries and provide a proposal to the governing body of the county where each district is located.

Following a public hearing, the governing body will submit the issue for voter approval. The question must be approved by a separate majority of the total votes cast in each existing sewer district seeking to combine into one consolidated sewer district.

If the consolidated sewer district becomes effective, all property of the original districts and any taxes to pay bonds will be levied on the original district issuing bonds prior to consolidation. The consolidated sewer district will have a five member board of directors. Each member will be appointed by the governing body of the county where the consolidated sewer district is located. The consolidated sewer district will retain all powers and privileges and duties of the individual sewer district. Provisions for the dissolution of the sewer district are provided. These provisions are similar to SB 625.

CLEAN WATER COMMISSION - Removes sunset on the Clean Water Commission's rulemaking authority for confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
CINDY KADLEC