SS/HB 2397 - The act modifies and creates new provisions relating to public water supply districts. PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY DISTRICTS (Section 247.220) Under the act, a petition for a dissolution of a public water supply district shall allege that an agreement for sale of the district's assets has been entered into by the board of directors contingent upon approval of the circuit court and voters. Unless the petitioners for the dissolution of the district prove that there is an agreement for sale of the district's assets entered into by the board of directors that would permit all debts and financial obligations of the district be paid in full upon dissolution and provide for the continuation of water supply to the inhabitants of the district, the petition shall be dismissed at the cost of the petitioners. If the court finds in favor of the petitioners, the court shall enter a decree with a question to the voters of the district, as described in the act. At their discretion, the board of directors of the district, except those districts that lie within Barton and Dade counties, may approve a change in the vote threshold to a majority of three-fifths of the voters of the district voting on the proposition subject to certain requirements described in the act. Currently, no district shall be dissolved until the court provides for the disposition of the property of the district. Under the act, the court may direct that any excess funds be paid over to the treasurers of the various school districts on a pro rata basis equivalent to the ratio of customers of the public water supply district in the various school districts. The act is similar to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 1023 (2026), SB 1284 (2026). BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES OF A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT (Section 247.229) The act provides that the board of directors of a public water supply district may contribute to the cost of a plan including a plan for furnishing all or part of hospitalization or medical expenses, life insurance or similar benefits for the district's employees. No contract shall be entered into by the board to purchase any insurance policy unless the contract is submitted to competitive bidding at least every three years and the contract is awarded to the lowest and best bidder. JULIA SHEVELEVA