DE HB270

Establishes the Delaware Clean Water Trust as a public instrumentality managed by a 5-member Board to oversee clean water financing and project oversight, with members including the Secretaries of DNREC, Finance, Agriculture, and Health and Social Services, plus an appointed financial expert.

Creates a Clean Water Surcharge on personal income tax (capped at $40 for individual filers, $80 for joint filers) and business license fees ($45 per license) to generate approximately $20 million annually for water quality projects.

Authorizes the Trust to issue Clean Water Revenue Bonds (subject to General Assembly approval) to fund drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, agricultural conservation, flooding and drainage, and remediation projects.

Requires the Trust to work with the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council to develop a Clean Water Plan with annual 5-year Strategic Plans, prioritize projects, and provide low-interest loans, grants, and financing to municipalities, counties, and other eligible entities.

Requires annual independent financial and compliance audits of Clean Water Surcharge funds and annual reporting to the General Assembly on Trust revenues, expenditures, project progress, and water quality goals.