SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2120 - This act modifies provisions relating to utility infrastructure.UNIFORM SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY DEPLOYMENT ACT (Section 67.5122):
This act extends the sunset date for the Uniform Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act from January 1st, 2021, to January 1st, 2025.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed CCS#2/SS/SCS/HB 1768 (2020).
INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM REPLACEMENT SURCHARGE FOR GAS CORPORATIONS (Sections 393.1009-393.1015):
This act modifies the definition of "gas utility plant projects" and "ISRS costs" for provisions of law relating to an infrastructure system replacement surcharge (ISRS) for gas corporations.
This act requires gas corporations utilizing ISRS to develop and file with the Public Service Commission a pre-qualification process for contractors seeking to participate in competitive bidding to install ISRS-eligible gas utility plant projects. The gas corporation may specify the criteria that the contractor shall meet in order to qualify to participate in the competitive bidding process. Under this act, the gas corporation shall file a verified statement with the Public Service Commission stating that it has in place a pre-qualification process by January 1, 2022.
Any ISRS petition thereafter shall be accompanied with a verified statement that the gas corporation is using a competitive bidding process for installing no less than 25% of ISRS-eligible gas utility plant projects. Under this act, the lowest and best bid in the competitive bidding process shall receive the contract to perform the project.
Under this act, the Public Service Commission shall prepare a report for the General Assembly annually, with the first report being submitted by December 31, 2023, on the competitive bidding process established under this act.
Any gas corporation whose ISRS is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to include unlawful and inappropriate charges shall refund every current customer of the gas corporation who paid such charges, before the gas corporation can file for a new ISRS.
The provisions of law relating to the ISRS for gas corporations shall expire on August 28, 2029.
These provisions are substantially similar to provisions contained in CCS/HCS/SS/SB 618 (2020) and similar to provisions contained in SCS/SB 730 (2018).
RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS FUNDING (Section 620.2459):
Currently, the broadband internet grant program for unserved and underserved areas of the state will expire on August 28, 2021. This act extends the program until June 30, 2027.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed CCS#2/SS/SCS/HB 1768 (2020), SS/SB 632 (2020) and similar to HB 1859 (2020).
WATER SAFETY AND SECURITY ACT (Sections 640.141-640.145):
This act requires community water systems, as such term is defined in the act, that use an internet-connected control system to create a plan that establishes policies and procedures for identifying and mitigating cyber risk. Such plans shall include information as set forth in the act. State parks, cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants, Jackson County, St. Louis County, and certain regulated water utilities are exempt from these provisions.
Additionally, the act requires community water systems to create a valve and hydrant inspection program as set forth in the act. State parks, certain cities and counties, and certain regulated water utilities are exempt from these provisions.
Upon request, community water systems shall submit a report to the Department of Natural Resources certifying compliance with all regulations regarding water sampling, testing, and reporting, hydrant and valve inspections, and cyber security plans and policies.
These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 66 (2019) and HB 801 (2019).
LEAD TESTING IN SCHOOLS (Section 701.200):
The act also permits, subject to appropriations, each school district to test a sample of a source of potable water in a public school building in that district serving students under first grade and constructed before 1996 for lead contamination as specified in the act. The water samples may be submitted to a Department of Health and Senior Services-approved laboratory and the results of such testing may be submitted to the Department. If any of the samples tested exceed current standards for parts per billion of lead established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the school district shall notify the parents or guardians of enrolled students. If the samples tested are less than or equal to 5 parts per billion, the district may notify parents individually or on the school's website.
These provisions are substantially similar to SB 885 (2020) and similar to SB 245 (2019) and SB 979 (2018).
JAMIE ANDREWS