HB6618 - School Water Supply Testing Act

• Beginning January 1, 2017, water suppliers must test all drinking water supplies in classroom-instruction buildings at public schools, private schools, charter schools, and special education facilities for lead at least once per year.

• Water suppliers bear responsibility for testing costs and may conduct tests themselves or hire contractors; testing expenses are considered safe operations costs and suppliers may seek rate relief or reimbursement grants.

• Test results are public documents that must be provided at no cost to the Environmental Protection Agency and school district governing bodies, and published online by water suppliers within 5 business days.

• Creates the School Water Supply Testing Fund as a special fund outside the state treasury to receive federal funds designated for school water testing, with protection against sweeps or transfers to other state funds.

• Environmental Protection Agency may adopt rules to implement the Act and distribute federal resources to local water authorities, considering any direct federal funding already received by local entities.