HCS HB 1730 -- WATER POLLUTION

SPONSOR:  Hobbs (Schlottach)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding water pollution.  In
its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Increases the annual fee that the Department of Natural
Resources may charge customers;

(2)  Revises the definition of "point source" to exclude any
agricultural storm water discharges and return flows from
agriculture;

(3)  Requires the Clean Water Commission to hold a public hearing
before adopting any listing of impaired waters.  The department
must provide notice of the hearing to the public by posting a
proposed list of impaired waters on their web site, publishing
the list in at least six regional newspapers, and by mailing the
list to those requesting the notice.  The notice will be at least
90 days before the public hearing and will include the date,
time, and place of the public hearing; identification of the
water segment, the uses to be made of the waters, the uses
impaired, and the pollutants causing or expected to cause
violations of the applicable water quality standards; and a
summary of the data relied upon to make the preliminary
determination.  After the public hearing and any written comments
have been reviewed, the department will issue a revised list of
impaired waters upon which the commission may adopt;

(4)  Requires those constructing temporary or permanent water
treatment facilities using new kinds of wastewater treatment
technology to post a bond as a condition for the issuance of a
permit from the commission.  Traditional and novel wastewater
treatment facilities will be subject to the same permit
requirements;

(5)  Extends the expiration date in Section 644.054, RSMo, from
December 31, 2007, to December 31, 2009, for certain waste
treatment and disposal fees authorized in Sections 644.052 and
644.053, collected by the commission;

(6)  Requires the President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives to appoint members to a joint
committee that will consider the restructuring of the water
pollution control fees.  The committee must submit a report by
December 31, 2008, to the Governor, House of Representatives, and
Senate with recommendations on funding the state's Clean Water
Program; and

(7)  Permits the Board of Fund Commissioners to issue bonds for
grants and loans equal to $10 million for waste water pollution
control, drinking water system improvements, storm water control,
and rural water and sewer projects and $20 million for storm
water control plans, studies, and projects in first
classification counties and the City of St. Louis, in addition to
amounts authorized prior to August 28, 2007.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2007,
FY 2008, and FY 2009.  Estimated Effect on Other State Funds of
an income of $0 in FY 2007, an income of $1,121,031 in FY 2008,
and a cost of $355,819 in FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill permits the Department
of Natural Resources to require water treatment facilities using
new kinds of wastewater treatment technology to post a bond as a
condition for obtaining a permit.  This will allow the department
to be less reluctant to issue permits for wastewater treatment
systems that have not been proven to be successful.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schlottach; and
Department of Natural Resources.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they want to be on
record in opposition to the bill.

Testifying against the bill was Sierra Club.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am