HCS SS SB 172 -- WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT

SPONSOR:  Green (Walsh)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 10 to 2.

This substitute prohibits the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District from assessing a residential district property owner any
fee, charge, or tax for storm water management services if the
district does not directly provide sanitary sewer services to the
property and the storm water runoff from the property does not
flow or is not conveyed to a sewer maintained by the district.

The substitute also provides an alternative procedure for issuing
bonds for a common sewer district partially or completely located
in Cass County by allowing the subdistrict to issue bonds if it
receives approval from three-quarters of the customers of the
political subdivision as specified in the substitute.

The substitute contains an emergency clause for the provisions
regarding the alternative procedure for issuing bonds in Cass
County.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will prevent the
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District from charging excessive
fees for impervious area runoff to individuals who do not receive
any services from the district.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Jones (89) for
Senator Green; and Ron Lowry.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that although the
restriction to residential areas being exempt from charge is
helpful, federal law requires the district to provide regulatory
services to the entire area making charges necessary.

Testifying against the bill was Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am