The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Curry Lann.
DIGEST
SB 170 Original 2019 Regular Session Thompson
Proposed law creates the Rural Water Infrastructure Committee within the office of the governor for
the purpose of providing advice and guidance to the governor on all matters relative to rural water
systems in Louisiana.
Proposed law provides for the membership of the committee, comprised of 15 members, as follows:
(1)The State Director of United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development in
Louisiana or his designee.
(2)The State Director of the United States Economic Development Administration or his
designee.
(3)The governor or his designee.
(4)The governor's designee to the Delta Regional Authority.
(5)The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee.
(6)The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality or his designee.
(7)The executive director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development or his designee.
(8)The director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
or his designee.
(9)The executive director of the Louisiana Rural Water Association or his designee.
(10)The executive director of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana or his designee.
(11)The executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association or his designee.
(12)The president of the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts or his
designee.
(13)The president of the Senate or his designee.
(14)The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee. (15)The chairman of the Louisiana Rural Caucus or a member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus
designated by the chairman.
Proposed law provides that members will serve terms concurrent with the governor. Provides that
the governor's designee to the Delta Regional Authority will serve as chairman and develop
procedures for the operation of the committee.
Proposed law provides that committee members will serve without compensation and authorizes
legislative members of the committee to receive the same per diem and travel allowance for
attending meetings of the committee as is normally provided for meetings of legislative committees.
Proposed law authorizes the governor or the chairman of the committee to request employees of
federal, state, or local agencies involved with rural water systems to participate as nonvoting
members of the committee.
Proposed law authorizes the committee to request administrative and technical support from the
governor's office.
Proposed law requires the names of the members who will serve on the committee to be submitted
to the governor not later than August 15, 2019.
Proposed law requires the committee to perform the following functions and duties:
(1)To advise the governor on all matters relative to rural water systems in Louisiana.
(2)To advise and provide technical assistance to rural water systems, local governments, and
nonprofit organizations to improve infrastructure and ensure compliance with state and
federal regulations.
(3)To work collaboratively to assess and prioritize rural water system deficiencies.
(4)To offer emergency response assessments for rural water systems during public health
emergencies upon request.
(5)To foster cooperation among federal, state, and local governmental agencies on all issues
pertaining to rural water systems.
(6)To conduct such studies as are necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive rural
water infrastructure plan.
(7)To create a clearinghouse of educational materials to assist rural water systems, local
governments, and nonprofit organizations.
(8)To review programs, conditions, trends, and engineering findings which affect rural water
systems in order to make recommendations for improvements. (9)To assist in the identification of potential sources of funding for rural water systems and to
develop advice with respect to which expenditures are in the best interest of the state.
Proposed law further requires the committee to advise and make recommendations to the governor
on the following:
(1)Establishing funding criteria for rural water systems.
(2)Establishing a process to hold noncompliant water systems accountable including legislative
audits and mandatory management training.
(3)Increasing inspection and enforcement of rural water systems by state agencies.
(4)Establishing a system for the review of engineering proposals for infrastructure upgrades to
rural water systems.
(5)Developing financial incentives for rural water systems to consolidate when deemed
appropriate.
(6)Developing recommendations for legislative action relative to rural water systems.
Proposed law requires the committee to submit a written report to the governor by March first of
each year relative to the progress, challenges, and recommendations concerning policy and possible
legislation relative to rural water systems.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 36:4(BB) and R.S. 49:220.31-220.33)