HB 183 Summary

• Redefines "village" under the Village Safe Water Act to include second class cities, first class cities with populations under 1,000, home rule municipalities with populations under 1,000, and the Annette Island Reserve for the Metlakatla Indian Community.

• Expands eligibility to communities with populations between 25 and 1,000 represented by Indian Reorganization Act councils, traditional village councils recognized as eligible for federal aid to Indians, or incorporated nonprofit entities and Native village councils determined eligible by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

• Requires incorporated nonprofit entities and Native village councils to agree to act as village governing bodies for purposes of the chapter and provide ongoing maintenance of funded projects.

• Provides transition protection allowing villages that received Village Safe Water Act funding before fiscal year 2012 to remain eligible for that funding regardless of whether they meet the new definition of "village."

• Takes effect immediately upon enactment.