HB 2561 Summary

• Authorizes cities or towns to provide water service outside their service areas through standpipe water hauling to residences in unincorporated communities for up to three years via intergovernmental agreement with a county.

• Limits service to no more than 750 residences in areas previously served by the city or town with no other water source within 10 miles, and requires the city or town to be fully reimbursed for all costs.

• Requires county to contract with licensed commercial water haulers (self-hauling prohibited), pay the city or town for water costs, bill residences, limit annual water to previous amounts, and implement conservation measures if water is exceeded or reduced.

• Restricts eligibility to residences occupied before January 3, 2023, or issued a valid building permit during the year before that date; counties must cease issuing new building permits in the area until a permanent water solution is implemented.

• Includes indemnification of the city or town from the county, sunsets the statute on December 31, 2025, and declares the act an emergency measure.