SS SCS HB 501 -- WATER AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS

This bill makes several changes to statutes governing water and
sewer systems.  It modifies the make-up of the Jackson County
and the Cass County sewer district boards of trustees.  Each
board will consist of 8 members as follows:  the county
executive, mayors of the 4 largest-use cities, 2 mayors of the
other member cities, and one member of the county legislature.
The bill allows the possibility of a 9th member in the event the
district extends its borders.  The percentage of the vote
required to issue sewer bonds in either of these counties is
reduced from a super-majority (four-sevenths) to a simple
majority, or the bonds may be issued on the written assent of
three-quarters of the sewer district customers.

CONSOLIDATION OF SEWER DISTRICTS

Except for the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, 2 or more
contiguous sewer districts in Jefferson County may consolidate
into one sewer district if the governing bodies of the districts
determine that a consolidated sewer district would better serve
the area within their boundaries, subject to voter approval.
The bill outlines the information required in a resolution and
how the information will be disseminated to the public.

The governing body of the county will submit the issue for voter
consideration, and the order will become effective if the
majority of votes cast are in favor of the proposal.  If the
consolidated sewer district becomes effective, all property of
the original districts and any taxes to pay bonds will be levied
on the original district issuing bonds prior to consolidation.

The consolidated sewer district will have a 5-member board of
directors appointed by the governing body of the county where
the consolidated sewer district is located.  The bill outlines
the requirements of the board members, lengths of terms, and
compensation.

The consolidated sewer district will retain all powers,
privileges, and duties it had as an individual sewer district.
Dissolution of the sewer district will be according to current
law relating to the dissolution of special districts created by
statute.

AUTHORIZATION FOR ISSUANCE OF BONDS

The bill authorizes the Board of Fund Commissioners to issue
bonds for grants and loans pursuant to several sections of
Article III of the Missouri Constitution.  The authorizations
are in addition to sums authorized prior to August 28, 2002, and
are for:

(1)  $10 million of bonds for water pollution control, drinking
water system improvements, and storm water control pursuant to
Section 37(e);

(2)  $10 million of bonds for rural water and sewer projects
pursuant to Section 37(g); and

(3)  $20 million of bonds for storm water control plans,
studies, and projects in first classification counties and the
City of St. Louis pursuant to Section 37(h).

OTHER PROVISIONS

Current law allows the cities of St. Joseph and Arnold to
contract with private or public water services to terminate
service to a customer for failure to pay a sewer bill.  The bill
extends this authorization to any city, town, or village.

The bill also removes the sunset on the Clean Water Commission's
rulemaking authority for concentrated animal feeding operations
and requires the Department of Natural Resources to certify,
without conditions, any federal Clean Water Act Section 404
nationwide permit for the construction of highways and bridges
approved by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

All landowners have the right to have, use, and own private
water systems and ground source systems, unless prohibited by
city ordinance, on their own property, as long as all applicable
rules established by the Department of Natural Resources are
satisfied.  All landowners who choose to use their own private
water system will not be forced to purchase water from any other
water source system servicing their communities.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:44 am