Refinance Water Pollution Control Program

Current law finances the state's water quality program with a mix of general fund money and fees that are paid by sources that discharge pollutants into the state's waters. Section 2 of the bill raises the fees and establishes goals for future adjustments of the ratio of revenue from fees and the general fund as follows:

• Commerce and industry sector: 50% general fund and 50% cash funds;
• Construction sector: 20% general fund and 80% cash funds;
• Municipal separate storm sewer: 50% general fund and 50% cash funds;
• Pesticides sector: 94% general fund and 6% cash funds;
• Public and private utilities sector: 50% general fund and 50% cash funds; and
• Water quality certifications sector: 5% general fund and 95% cash funds.

Section 3 adjusts the reporting by the department of public health and environment on the uses of these funds. Section 5 transfers $809,107 from the water quality improvement fund to the general fund and further allocates that money to the commerce and industry, municipal separate storm sewer, and public and private utilities sector funds. Sections 6 through 13 make a variety of appropriations and adjustments to the 2017 long bill. Section 14 makes the fee increases take effect July 1, 2018.
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)