HB 5991 Summary

• Authorizes local units of government to adopt storm water utility ordinances and establish storm water management utilities to plan, construct, operate, and maintain storm water systems.

• Requires adoption of a storm water management plan by resolution before establishing a utility ordinance, including planning period, service levels, costs, and fee calculation methods based on impervious area or other engineer-accepted methodologies.

• Permits assessment of storm water utility fees on properties served by the system, proportionate to storm water runoff quantity or quality, with fees deposited into a dedicated storm water fund used only for management program costs.

• Establishes fee reduction or elimination procedures for properties that implement improvements reducing storm water runoff, and requires a three-member appeals board (including two licensed engineers) to hear property owner challenges to fee determinations.

• Mandates comprehensive administrative policies covering billing, enforcement, appeals procedures, and periodic review of fees and formulas, with local units providing public notice and hearings before plan adoption.