SB 945 Summary

• Authorizes the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to conduct or invest in "noncore businesses" (water, environment, agriculture, or renewable/alternative energy projects) either directly or through affiliated business entities, with investments capped at 5% of the authority's net utility plant or a higher amount approved by the representative policy board.

• Defines "noncore business" to include activities on non-conservation land related to water, environment, agriculture, or renewable energy (Class I or Class III sources), explicitly excluding wind sources within the district.

• Prohibits the authority from using eminent domain to acquire property for noncore business investments and requires all noncore business investments exceeding $1 million to be approved by a majority vote of the representative policy board after a public hearing.

• Extends conflict of interest provisions and contract oversight requirements to employees of subsidiary corporations and affiliated business entities conducting noncore businesses.

• Modifies procurement procedures to allow electronic submission of bids or proposals and extends lien foreclosure period for unpaid water/wastewater charges from 10 to 15 years; allows interest rates on unpaid charges to be set by the representative policy board up to the statutory maximum for unpaid property taxes.