Senate Bill 810 Summary

• Establishes the Viable Utility Reserve as a state grant fund for local government units to improve water and wastewater system viability through infrastructure projects, studies, and system consolidation.

• Creates three types of grants from the Viable Utility Reserve: asset assessment and rate study grants, merger/regionalization feasibility grants, and project grants, with individual limits of $15 million and $30 million for merged systems.

• Requires the Local Government Commission to approve all Viable Utility Reserve grant awards and allows imposition of performance measures and conditions on grants.

• Requires the State Water Infrastructure Authority and Local Government Commission to identify "distressed units" (water/wastewater systems showing financial or operational failure) and mandate asset assessments, training programs, and action plans for identified systems.

• Establishes a statutory process in Chapter 162A for merger and dissolution of water and wastewater districts through the Environmental Management Commission, with public hearings required before approval.