HF 4050 Summary

• Requires the Pollution Control Agency to prioritize watershed restoration and protection strategies for each major watershed by June 30, 2023, with updates permitted after August 1, 2026.

• Establishes that clean water fund priority for restoration projects must begin only after initial watershed restoration and protection strategies are completed for each major watershed.

• Adds seven specific criteria for prioritizing clean water fund restoration projects, including leveraging other funding sources, early restoration potential, proximity to water quality standards, and public health benefits like drinking water sources.

• Requires high-quality unimpaired waters most at risk of becoming impaired to be prioritized in prevention action funding recommendations.

• Mandates that recipients of clean water fund appropriations must submit information on proposed projects to the Legislative Coordinating Commission and Clean Water Council, demonstrating how projects satisfy statutory restoration and protection requirements.