Senate Substitute for HB 5189 Summary

• Streamlines procedures for adding or removing counties from drainage districts by allowing petitions to be filed directly with drain commissioners instead of requiring separate proceedings for county addition/removal and boundary revision.

• Establishes a unified process where the drainage board can determine both the addition/removal of counties and revision of district boundaries in a single hearing, with notice sent to affected property owners and municipalities at least 10 days before the meeting.

• Permits the drainage board to revise district boundaries during a hearing of necessity or through a separate day of review, with detailed requirements for notice by first-class or certified mail and newspaper publication.

• Requires that orders revising drainage districts identify each county being added or removed, designate revised drainage board members for intercounty districts, and determine cost apportionments between counties, subject to appeal to an arbitration board.

• Allows property owners, the state transportation department, and local government entities to challenge boundary revision decisions in circuit court within 10 days of the order being filed.