House Bill 1701 has been introduced that would add a Subchapter 1 to Arkansas Title 14, Chapter 239 titled:
Oversight of Wastewater and Sewer Retail Providers.
The Bill’s sponsors include:
- Representative Gonzales.
- Representative L. Johnson.
- Senator G. Stubblefield.
The stated intent of the Bill is to:
…improve the operations and infrastructures of wastewater and sewer systems in the state similar to the reform of retail water providers by Acts 2021, No. 605.
Cited is a need for wastewater and sewer systems to have rates that support capital improvement needs.
The Bill is applicable to a “provider” which is defined to mean:
…any public or private provider of a sewage collection service or sewage treatment service.
Providers in fiscal distress are a focus of this Bill. Therefore, the legislation addresses issues such as:
- Improvement plans.
- Completion of rates studies.
- Noncompliance with Arkansas Natural Resource Commission rules.
- Implementation of rate increases.
- List of providers in fiscal distress.
Providers are also required to :
- Develop training for leaders of the county or municipality that the provider serves.
- Provide suitable compensation and incentives to encourage individuals to consider a career with the provider.
- Promote the recruitment, education, and licensing of employees of the provider.
- Ensure that a majority of the members of the provider’s board receive a minimum of eight hours of provider training as promulgated by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
A copy of House Bill 1701 can be downloaded here.
