HB 5890 Summary

• Establishes scoring criteria for water and wastewater infrastructure projects prioritized under state revolving loan funds, with mandatory consultation with stakeholders and public hearings before implementation and triennial review.

• Defines "overburdened communities" and "significantly overburdened communities" based on income, unemployment, housing costs, user fees, and health impacts, with automatic awarding of at least 20% of points to overburdened communities on wastewater projects.

• Requires environmental reviews and assessments for projects in the fundable range, with provisions for categorical exclusions, findings of no significant impact, or environmental impact statements depending on project characteristics and potential adverse effects.

• Creates state revolving administration fund allowing not more than 0.25% of loan interest to be deposited for fund administration costs under both water pollution control and drinking water revolving loan programs.

• Authorizes loan forgiveness for planning costs incurred by overburdened communities upon completion of approved planning documents, funded through available technical assistance funds under federal safe drinking water act.