18469_Authority_June

municipalauthorities.org | 25 to obtain approval from 75% of surrounding municipalities before privatizing their water or wastewater systems, ensuring consumers have a voice in the decision. The bill seeks to safeguard public ownership, prevent excessive rate hikes, and ensure the continued affordability, quality, and transparency of essential water and sewer services for residents. ( See PMAA support letter on page 58 ). HB 620 ( Representative Mary Isaacson, Philadelphia ) – This bill would increase the $2 per-ton recycling fee found in the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 to $5. HB 921 ( Representative Nate Davidson, Dauphin, Cumberland ) – This bill would amend the Human Services Code, providing for a Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The purpose of the program is to assist eligible individuals who are water or wastewater system customers, or both, in this Commonwealth, with overdue water or wastewater system bills, upon the termination of the temporary Federal LIWHAP. PMAA signed onto a support letter with the PA AWWA Water Utility Council. SB 183 ( Senator David Argall, Carbon, Luzerne ) – This bill aims to shift oversight of bottled water from DEP to PDA. We believe bottled water should remain under DEP oversight due to its expertise in overseeing safe drinking water systems. Bottled water should be held to the same rigorous standards as other drinking water in Pennsylvania to protect public health, ensuring it is properly monitored, sampled, and treated. PMAA signed onto an opposition letter with the PA AWWA Water Utility Council. SB 225 ( Senator Cris Dush, Cameron, Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter, Centre, Jefferson ) - Amends Title 26 (Eminent Domain), in just compensation and measure of damages, providing compensation to the owner of a business for the loss of goodwill if the loss is caused by the taking of the property or injury and further provides that the loss will not be duplicated in the compensation otherwise awarded to the owner. Allows for the acquiring agency to rebut the compensation. It provides for the acquiring agency and the owner to enter into a leaseback agreement, and provides for terms and definitions. If enacted, the bill would be effective immediately. The bill was unanimously reported as committed and re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 363 ( Senator Lisa Boscola, Lehigh, Northampton ) - This bill would amend the Human Services Code, providing for a Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The purpose of the program is to assist eligible individuals who are water or wastewater system customers, or both, in this Commonwealth, with overdue water or wastewater system bills, upon the termination of the temporary Federal LIWHAP. PMAA signed onto a support letter with the PA AWWA Water Utility Council. SB 395 ( Senator Frank Farry, Bucks ) – This bill would amend the definition of "plumbing services" requiring utility employees and contractors to be licensed plumbers for tasks like meter exchanges and backflow device installations, which is not currently necessary. Additionally, this could significantly raise the cost of replacing lead service lines, as our members work to implement federal rules on lead and copper. PMAA signed onto an opposition letter with the PA AWWA Water Utility Council. SB 403 ( Senator Gene Yaw, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Union ) – This bill would allow for local governments to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. SB 404 ( Senator Gene Yaw, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Union ) – This bill would create a program that allows counties to opt-in to address hazards within their streams by allowing for emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. SB 472 ( Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, York ) – Amends the Administrative Code by limiting how long an individual can serve as the head of a department without Senate confirmation. SB 512 ( Senator John Kane, Chester, Delaware ) – This bill would repeal Section 1329 of Title 66 (Public Utility Code). PMAA supports this legislation repealing Act 12 of 2016 (PMAA Resolution #1-25). SB 338 ( Senator John Kane, Chester, Delaware ) – This bill amends Title 66 (Public Utility Code) providing for a ratepayer referendum when a public utility is being acquired. This “Water Ratepayer Bill of Rights” is designed to ensure residential customers all over the state have input when a municipal water or wastewater authority may be acquired by a private for-profit company. S