The bill mandates that any new rule or guideline from the EOEEA that results in local expenditure must undergo a regulatory impact assessment before its implementation. This assessment is to be made public and must detail the financial implications for cities and towns, along with the expected benefits. By introducing this requirement, House Bill 892 aims to ensure that local governments can adequately prepare and respond to new costs associated with state-imposed regulations, ultimately fostering a more equitable burden-sharing arrangement between the state and local entities.
Summary
House Bill 892, titled 'An Act to assist municipal and district ratepayers', aims to provide a framework for handling additional costs imposed on municipalities by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA). The bill recognizes that water, wastewater, and stormwater systems require extensive improvements to safeguard public health and the environment. Acknowledging that local ratepayers and taxpayers shoulder the bulk of these expenses, the bill proposes a mechanism to classify new regulations and guidelines from the EOEEA that impose financial burdens on municipalities as 'local mandates'.
Contention
While the bill supports local municipalities in managing financial burdens, it could potentially lead to disputes over the classification of regulations as local mandates. Critics may argue that this measure could hinder necessary environmental improvements by delaying the implementation of critical state guidelines. Proponents, however, assert that it provides local governments the opportunity to evaluate the financial impact of such regulations, ensuring that local priorities and budgets are not adversely affected by state-level initiatives.