House Bill 758 Summary

• Establishes an alternate procedure for metropolitan sewerage districts to expand and include additional counties that are contracting for bulk service, already have district infrastructure installed, and already receive district customers.

• Requires district boards to submit expansion documentation to the Environmental Management Commission including boundary maps, service extension plans, estimated costs, and financing methods.

• Mandates public hearings in the requesting county with at least 30 days' notice by courthouse posting and newspaper publication before the Environmental Management Commission can approve expansion.

• Expands district boards by two members appointed by the requesting county's governing body, with a 30-day period for legal challenges to the commission's expansion resolution.

• Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Industry Division to study and report on wildlife enhancement, invasive species control, and native habitat restoration funding by state agencies, with findings due to the legislature by April 1, 2020.