SB 297 Summary

• Requires voter approval in charter counties (300,000-450,000 inhabitants) for water supply districts contracting with for-profit management companies to impose rate increases; failed proposals cannot be resubmitted for 12 months.

• Authorizes sewer districts to levy up to $50 annually per residential property for lateral sewer service line repairs upon voter approval, with funds deposited in a dedicated account.

• Establishes ratemaking procedures for large water utilities acquiring small water utilities, using three certified appraisers to determine fair market value for rate base calculations.

• Allows municipal water commissions to use alternative voting procedures (three-quarters of governing bodies approval) instead of public elections for certain water project financing decisions.

• Expands infrastructure system replacement surcharge (ISRS) eligibility to include energy efficiency projects and removes geographic restrictions, allowing any water or sewer corporation to file for ISRS recovery up to 10 percent of base revenues over three years.