OH HB236

Revises household sewage treatment system regulations by amending sections 3718.02-3718.05 of the Revised Code to establish standards for siting, design, installation, operation, and maintenance; requires boards of health to approve systems based on local conditions and establishes a range of approved systems from low-cost to high-cost options.

Creates the Household Sewage Treatment System Revolving Loan Fund and Grant Fund with $10 million initial funding for loans and $5 million annually for grants; establishes interest rates of 3-5% for loans based on income levels and requires grants to target persons age 65+ or earning ≤150% of federal poverty level.

Establishes the Sewage Treatment System Technical Advisory Committee with 11 members representing academia, manufacturers, installers, health commissioners, engineers, and environmental professionals to develop standards and review applications for system approvals.

Requires the Public Health Council to prepare written reports analyzing potential health benefits, economic reasonableness, technical feasibility, and financial impact on housing affordability before adopting new sewage treatment system rules; rules with substantial negative financial impact on housing are voided.

Allows property owners notified to replace failing systems who will be required to connect to central sewerage within 10 years to request temporary system improvements instead, limited to 15% of new system cost.