HB 5462 Summary

• Creates the Office of the Water Ombudsman within the legislative council to investigate complaints regarding drinking water quality from public water supplies.

• Ombudsman has authority to investigate administrative acts, conduct inspections of water systems, access water quality records and test results, and hold informal hearings without prior notice.

• Ombudsman must complete investigations within 30 days and provide complainants with resolution reports detailing findings, recommendations, and actions taken to address concerns.

• Correspondence between ombudsman and complainants is confidential and exempt from freedom of information requests; ombudsman must maintain complainant identities unless disclosure is necessary to perform duties.

• Prohibits retaliation against complainants or persons cooperating with investigations; violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or $1,000 fine; act takes effect 90 days after enactment.