1. Legislative Update 2017 Fall Manager’s Forum
Hartford MDC Training Center November 16, 2017
Jay Sheehan, PE – Woodard & Curran

2. Legislative Update Overview
Presentation Outline
Overview of the 2017 Legislative Session
State Water Policy
2018 Legislative Agenda
Additional Operator Concerns
Disclaimer:
This presentation includes factual information. However, some of the discussion will include personal commentary that may or may not reflect the position of the various Associations.

3. What did the Associations do?
CWPAA, CAWPCA & NEWEA:
wrote & sponsored a Bill
submitted letters on Bills that affect us
visited state legislators in Hartford
testified before the House/Senate
we will do it again this Spring!
Federal legislative meetings in Washington DC (“Fly-in” each Spring)
Formed a “Legislative Sub-committee”!

4. Legislative Update
Legislative Session

5. 2017 Legislative Session How things work:
Even-numbered years, the CGA session: February to May
Odd-numbered years, CGA session: January to June
The governor has the right to call for a special session after the end of the regular session
2017: Started January 4th & “adjourned” June 7th

6. 2017 Legislative Session New Dynamic in Hartford Legislation
Senate - Equal number of D’s & R’s
House – Democrats have a slight majority
Legislation
3,609 Bills introduced
Governor signed 262
Vetoed 4 (including the adopted budget)

7. 2017 “Special” Session State budget dominated the discussions
Key Focus: Pass a balanced budget
Budget shortfalls at end of session projected at:
$2.3 Billion for FY
$2.8 Billion for FY
No easy answers
Increase taxes or cut expenses?

8. 2017 “Special” Session Results
October 26th: $41.34B 2-year budget passes
House vote, 33-3 Senate vote
Governor signed on Tuesday Oct 31
Vetoed Hospital Tax

9. How Did Wastewater Do?
SB 6315: An Act Requiring Continuing Education Requirements for Operators at Wastewater Pollution Abatement Facilities
Bill Summary: Wastewater Operators will need continuing education classes to maintain their operator license
CWPAA Position: CWPAA sponsored this bill.

10. How Did Wastewater Do?
SB 289: An Act Concerning Criteria for Certain Wastewater Facility Operator Licenses
Bill Summary: Higher education may be substituted for hands-on experience at a WWTF in order to obtain a class four chief operator license.
CWPAA Position: Opposed.

11. How Did Wastewater Do?
SB 559 An Act Concerning the Restriction of Municipal Sewage Systems Assignees
Bill Summary: Restrict WPCAs from purchasing foreclosed properties & establish financial guidelines that trigger foreclosure
CWPAA Position: CWPAA monitored SB559

12. How Did Wastewater Do? HB 5042 An Act Concerning Sewer Use Charges
Bill Summary: To prevent WPCA’s from charging sewer use charges for summer water use
CWPAA Position: Strongly opposed

13. How Did Wastewater Do?
HB 5557 An Act Concerning Sewer Assessment Appeals
Bill Summary: Require municipalities to permit property owners to appeal sewer assessments to the board of assessment appeals
CWPAA Position: Strongly opposed

14. How Did Wastewater Do?
HB 6676 An Act Concerning Interest Due on Delinquent Sewer Assessments
Bill Summary: Permit municipalities to lower the interest rate charge on delinquent sewer assessments
CWPAA Position: CWPAA monitored HB 6676

15. 2017 Legislative Results Related Bills that passed:
HB 6008 (Public Act 17-1): establishes an independent Consumer Advocate for MDC customers
SB 945 (Special Act 17-5): authorizes RWA (New Haven) to invest in certain noncore businesses, including energy projects

16. Topics we expect to see again…
Drones
SB-975 Prohibits municipalities from adopting ordinances regulating “drones”
“Asset Management”
Requirements snuck into a water bill
Consent Orders
HB-7134 said CTDEEP could not modify nor revoke Consent Orders without the consent of the other party

17. Reminder… CAWPCA & CWPAA co-sponsored legislative tracking tool

18. Legislative Update
2. State Water Plan

19. State Water Plan Schedule
Public Act
WPC must prepare Plan by July 1, 2017 and submit to Legislative Committees by Jan 1, 2018
Legislature NOT required to categorically approve / disapprove plan
Comments on State Water Plan by November 20th…

20. Connecticut Water Planning
Only Wastewater Representation

21. State Water Plan Overview
Primary focus on public water supply, diversions, & water conservation
Provides basis for ‘Paths Forward’ and future legislative recommendations
Once WPC approves draft by January 1, public information & comment sessions over next 6 months
January thru June

22. State Water Plan for wastewater…
Recommends sewer service connection fees & rate structures designed to promote “water-wise” developments
Recommends review & modification of existing “Reuse Regulations” to promote new water-reuse projects
Recommends reduced wastewater discharges through water conservation measures
Suggests creating incentives for “Reuse Innovation” (agriculture)

23. State Water Plan deficiencies…
Very little discussion of Stormwater
No discussion of biosolids
No discussion of groundwater discharge of wastewater to support watershed replenishment
No discussion of alternative wastewater treatment to support better watershed quality
Other?

24. Legislative Update
Legislative Agenda

25. 2018 Legislative Agenda
SB 6315: Continuing Education Requirements for Operators
Meetings with Rep John Hampton (Simsbury) to verify he will sponsor again
Discussions about Associations co-hiring a Lobbyist
We need to do better outreach to our Sens/Reps!

26. 2018 Legislative Agenda Clean Water Funding advocacy
Hartford – need to develop effective literature
Washington DC
Lobbyist – getting proposals

27. 2018 Legislative Agenda
Data on collection systems – understand miles of sewer to be replaced
Develop questionnaire
Get contractor & consultant support
Potential OPM GIS Survey

28. 2018 Legislative Agenda State Water Policy
Legislative sub-committee to review the status with wastewater perspective
Ask WPCA’s to submit letters
Present at Fall Manager's Forum
Get in front of Water Policy Team as a wastewater group soon

29. 2018 Legislative Agenda On-site systems Biosolids
Sub-committee to discuss and come up with an action plan
Looking for a co-chair
Biosolids
Understand the state “market” better
Allow land application?

30. Pending 2018 Legislation New Bills have not been introduced yet!!!
Legislative Session begins February 7th
Session ends May 9th

31. 4. Additional Operator Concerns
Legislative Update
4. Additional Operator Concerns

32. 2018 Operator Concerns Additional Operator Issues
What other issues are worth tackling in 2018?
No promises – we will do what we can!

33. THANK YOU! QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Jay Sheehan, PE (203) 605-3127