H.B. 730 Summary

• Establishes a Lead Service Line Replacement Program requiring all lead service lines in Ohio to be replaced within 20 years of the bill's effective date.

• Requires the Director of Environmental Protection to adopt rules within one year establishing standards and procedures for lead service line replacement plans, prioritization procedures, and payment requirements for affected customers.

• Mandates that owners or operators of public water systems submit lead service line replacement plans to the newly created Office of Lead Service Line Replacement, with annual updates and completion of initial inventories within five years.

• Allows water system operators to require customers to pay replacement costs through lump sum or periodic payments via water bills, but requires rules to account for ability to pay and provide exemptions for low or moderate income customers.

• Creates a Governor's Task Force on Lead with seven members to develop recommendations within six months on funding prioritization, incentives for matching funds, and alternative enforcement systems, with emphasis on assisting disadvantaged communities.