Revise requirements to connect to municipal water/sewer system

2025 Regular Session

Revise when and who must connect to municipal water/sewer, changing costs, timelines, and exemptions for property owners and developers, plus how cities finance infrastructure.

(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester

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Overview

LC 2403 is a bill titled “Revise requirements to connect to municipal water/sewer system.” The current status indicates it is a Draft (LC) and has progressed through drafting and review steps, with the latest activity showing delivery to the requester in late March 2025. The bill is classified under appropriations and local government subjects, with potential impacts on cities and towns, local planning and development, and local finance.

Purpose and Intent

The bill appears designed to modify existing statutory requirements that govern when property owners, developers, or occupants must connect to municipal water and sewer systems.

While the full text is not provided, the intent suggested by the title is to revise the criteria, timelines, or conditions under which connection is required, potentially affecting compliance obligations and funding considerations for connections.

Likely Provisions (Areas to be clarified in the full text)

Note: Specific provisions are not included in the provided material. Based on the title and subject matter, the bill may address:
- Who must connect (e.g., new subdivisions, existing properties when service becomes available).
- When connection is required (timelines after service is available, phased commitments).
- Costs and financial responsibility (who pays for connection lines, meters, and related infrastructure; subsidies or grants).
- Exemptions or waivers (rural properties, historical properties, or critical infrastructure considerations).
- Enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance.
- Interaction with local land use planning, zoning, and building codes.
- Definitions of “available” service and “municipal” service coverage.
- Any transitional provisions or timelines for implementation.

Affected Parties

Property owners and developers within municipalities that oversee water/sewer service.

Local governments (cities and towns) administering connection requirements and associated planning/financing.

Utilities and municipal service providers.

Potentially homeowners associations and developers’ clients.

Procedural/TImeline Details

Introduced: December 8, 2024.

Draft actions:

2024-12-08: Drafter assigned; draft on hold.
2025-03-21–25: Draft moved off hold, in legal review, edit, and finalization steps.
2025-03-24–25: Draft in multiple review stages (input/proofing, final drafter review, ready for delivery).
2025-03-25: Draft delivered to requester.

Status: (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester; currently not enacted.

Potential Impacts

Policy and cost implications for development projects and property owners seeking municipal service connections.

Possible changes to municipal planning timelines and infrastructure funding decisions.

Public health and environmental outcomes if connection requirements become more or less stringent.

Quick Questions to Clarify with the Full Text

Who exactly must connect under the revised rules?

What triggers a required connection (availability, occupancy, permitting)?

How are connection costs allocated between property owners, developers, and municipalities?

What exemptions or waivers exist?

What enforcement and penalties would apply, and what remedies are available?

Bill