Louisiana 2014 2014 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB425 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    RDCSB425 2992 4795
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Cortez	SB No. 425
Proposed law provides relative to private water or sewer system providers.
Proposed law provides that the provisions of proposed law apply to any political subdivision
located within any parish having a population greater than 107,000 but less than 110,000 and
to any political subdivision located within any parish with a population greater than 200,000
but less than 230,000.
Proposed law requires that a private water supply or sewer system provider serving the
residents of a political subdivision as defined in the proposed law to comply with all
applicable health standards set forth in law and regulation, including standards relative to
chlorination of such private water supply or sewer system provider and disinfection of waste
water discharged in compliance with such sewer system provider's permit, rules, regulations,
and laws governing the operation of such sewer system provider. Also requires the private
water supply system provider to have iron and manganese controls for such water systems.
Proposed law provides that in addition to any other penalty or liability authorized by law that
may be imposed upon a private water supply or sewer system provider who fails to meet
applicable health standards, a political subdivision may by ordinance adopt a remediation
charge to be imposed in accordance with such conditions and in such an amount as the
political subdivision may determine.
Proposed law provides that the remediation charge shall be utilized by the political
subdivision solely to ensure that the services provided by the private water supply or sewer
system provider are in compliance with law and regulation, and that the health and safety
of residents of the political subdivision are protected against harm.
Proposed law provides that in order to protect public health and safety, a private water or
sewer system provider who within a consecutive 12-month period is penalized by the state
or political subdivision at least three separate times due to failure to comply with applicable
laws and regulations concerning health standards shall forfeit such system to the political
subdivision in addition to any other penalty.  Proposed law further provides that any
forfeiture is subject to current rules, regulations, and laws governing the transfer of a permit,
license, and certificate for a private water supply or sewer system provider.
Proposed law relative to any parish with a population greater than 200,000 but less than
230,000 requires the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to work with private water providers to
pursue possible solutions and requires private water providers that have on-site water
filtration systems to maintain and utilize such systems.  Further provides that any private
water provider that fails to comply with proposed law is subject to a fine by the Dept. of
Health and Hospitals of $1,000 per day until the system is maintained and utilized. 
(Adds R.S. 33:42)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal
Affairs to the original bill
1. Adds requirement of iron and manganese controls. RDCSB425 2992 4795
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Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Adds requirement for disinfection of discharged waste water.
2. Provides for transfer of a permit, license, and certificate for a private water
supply or sewer system provider if such system is forfeited.
3. Makes technical changes.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and
Cultural Affairs to the reengrossed bill.
1. Expands proposed law to include any political subdivision located within
a parish having a population greater than 107,000 but less than 110,000.
2. Adds provision that requires the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to work
with private water providers located in certain parishes.
3. Adds provision that requires that private water providers that have on-site
water filtration systems located in certain parishes to maintain and utilize
such systems.  Adds provisions for fines.