HB 534-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0794
02/10
HOUSE BILL 534-FN-A
AN ACT relative to water assistance for natural disasters.
SPONSORS: Rep. B. Boyd, Hills. 12; Rep. Petrigno, Hills. 43; Rep. L. Gould, Hills. 2; Rep. Hakken-Phillips, Graf. 12; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
This bill creates a water assistance fund to be used to repair and replace drinking water treatment sources damaged by natural disasters. The bill also makes an appropriation to the fund.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0794
02/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to water assistance for natural disasters.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 485-I the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 485-J
WATER ASSISTANCE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
485-J:1 Purpose Statement. The general court recognizes that natural disasters, such as floods, fires, drought, and other acts of god, can have widespread impacts on drinking water and groundwater. As such, programs to ensure the continued availability of safe drinking water for all New Hampshire citizens are critical to future prosperity. Therefore, to the extent practicable and consistent with the provisions of this chapter, when disasters strike, sources of safe drinking water shall be made available as quickly as possible. In meeting this goal, the general court recognizes that low-income individuals are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and their ability to replace drinking water sources is often minimal. The general court hereby declares that the purpose of RSA 485-J is to provide for the replacement, repair and treatment of private drinking water sources when needed to protect human health during and after the occurrence of natural disasters.
485-J:2 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. "Department" means the department of environmental services.
II. "Fund" means the water assistance for natural disasters fund established by this chapter.
485-J:3 Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund.
I. There is hereby established in the department the water assistance for natural disasters fund which shall be maintained in the state treasury as distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of environmental services for the purposes of this chapter.
II. The commissioner of environmental services may apply for and accept from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; legislative appropriations, federal, local, private; and other matching funds and incentives. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.
III. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the distribution of money from the fund, taking into consideration ability to pay, natural disaster conditions and locations, requirements for repair, replacement and treatment, and other factors as determined by the department. The department may use a portion of appropriated funds to cover the costs of administering this chapter.
2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (387) the following new subparagraph:
(388) Moneys deposited in the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J:3.
3 Appropriation; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund. The sum of $2,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and the sum of $2,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 are hereby appropriated to the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J for use by the department of environmental services for the purpose of assisting to fund replacement, repair and treatment of water sources damaged during natural disasters. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
23-0794
12/19/22
HB 534-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to water assistance for natural disasters.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
Appropriation | $0 | $2,500,000 | $2,500,000 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase | Indeterminable Increase |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund | |||
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METHODOLOGY:
This bill creates a nonlapsing and continually appropriated water assistance fund to repair and replace drinking water treatment sources damaged by natural disasters, and makes an appropriation to the fund. The commissioner of environmental services may apply for and accept funds from any source for deposit into the fund.
The Department of Environmental Services assumes the duties and activities to be added under proposed RSA 485-J would be funded with the accompanying appropriation and there would be no additional fiscal impact above the appropriation. The Department indicates there is no expected impact on county of local revenues or expenditures.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Environmental Services