HB 2079 Modifies provisions relating to terminations of water services

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Current Bill Summary

- Prepared by Senate Research -


SS/HB 2079 - This act modifies provisions relating to water services.

LATERAL SEWER SERVICE LINES (Section 67.313) - Upon voter approval, this act allows certain political subdivisions and water and sewer districts to impose a fee for lateral sewer service lines providing service to residential property having less than 4 units of not more than $3 per month or $36 annually. This act contains that the ballot submitted to the voters be in a particular form as set forth in this act. If a majority of voters approve such proposal, the funds collected shall be deposited into a special account to be used for paying for lateral sewer service line repairs and replacements. Such political subdivisions may contract through a competitive process to implement such repairs and replacements so long as the costs do not exceed 5% of such funds annually.

Further, this act allows a collector in certain political subdivisions and water and sewer districts the authority to collect an approved fee for lateral sewer service lines in the same manner and to the same extent as the collector is able to collect delinquent real estate taxes and tax bills.

This provision is identical to a provision contained in HCS/HB 1667 (2014) and is substantially similar to HB 1230 (2014) and HCS/HB 74 (2013).

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CLEAN ENERGY ACT (Section 67.2800 & 67.2815) - This act allows clean energy development boards to finance energy efficiency improvements including sewer and drinking water installations, repairs, and modifications. Currently, county collectors shall collect special assessments assessed by clean energy development boards. Under this act, clean energy development boards may also collect such special assessments.

This provision is similar to a provision contained in SCS/HCS/SB 1302 (2014).

DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS (Section 71.295) - This act allows any city to enter into a design-build contract for a project that involves the design, construction, alteration, addition, remodeling, or improvement of any sewer or water buildings or facilities. This act requires the city to adopt certain rules and procedures for prequalifying design-build contractors, advertising, receiving, and evaluating proposals from design-build contractors, and awarding contracts. Further, this act allows the city to issue a request for proposals to a maximum of five pre-qualified design-build contractors.

This act provides advertising requirements for design-build projects. If the city fails to receive responsive submissions from prequalified design-build contractors, submissions shall not be opened and the city must readvertise the project.

Under this act, the proposals from prequalified design-build contractors must be submitted sealed and in writing, and be opened publicly. Technical proposals and qualifications submissions must be submitted separately from any cost proposals. No cost proposal may be opened until the technical proposals and qualifications submissions are first opened, evaluated, and ranked. Further, this act requires the design-build contract to be awarded to the contractor whose proposal represents the best overall value to the city in terms of quality, technical skill, schedule, and cost. No proposal may be entertained by the city that is not made in accordance with the city's request for

proposals.

This act provides payment bond requirements for design-build projects and requires any person or firm providing architectural, engineering, or land surveying services for the design-build contractor to be licensed. This act also requires a city planning a design-build project to retain an architect or engineer, as appropriate to the project type, to assist with the city's process in awarding the design-build contract and perform contract administration functions on behalf of the city during the construction phase and after project completion.

CONTRACTS WITH WATER PROVIDERS (Section 393.015) - Currently, sewer corporations, municipalities, and sewer districts may contract with any water corporation to terminate water services to any customer for nonpayment of a sewer bill. This act also allows sewer corporations, municipalities, and sewer districts the ability to contract with any municipality providing water and water districts. This act also extends provisions relating to water corporations to municipalities providing water and water districts as set forth in this act.

KAYLA CRIDER


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