MN HF2949

Modifies how the Metropolitan Council allocates costs for unused treatment works and interceptor capacity in the wastewater system by replacing proportional allocation among local units with a metropolitan sewer availability charge (SAC) on new connections and capacity increases.

Requires SAC revenues to be deposited in a wastewater reserve capacity fund, with annual transfers to the wastewater operating fund to cover reserved capacity costs.

Allows the council to reduce the SAC transfer amount if the reserve capacity fund exceeds one year's estimated transfer amount, but requires a compensatory increase to the SAC charge of at least the greater of six percent or the Consumer Price Index plus three percentage points.

Requires the council to track cumulative SAC transfer deficits and increase future SAC transfer amounts when the reserve fund reaches two years' estimated transfer amount, with the goal of eliminating accumulated deficits.

Applies to seven counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) and expires December 31, 2015.