New Hampshire Senate Bill SB589

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24
• Refer: 2/1/24
• Report Pass: 3/11/24
• Engrossed: 4/2/24
• Refer: 4/2/24
• Report Pass: 4/29/24
• Enrolled: 6/19/24
• Chaptered: 7/10/24
• Passed: 7/10/24

Caption

Relative to wastewater surcharges.

Impact

Should SB 589 be enacted, it would amend existing state regulations governing public utilities, specifically those applicable to wastewater services. By allowing municipalities to charge additional fees to customers outside their borders, the bill facilitates inter-municipal agreements that can help in funding the improvement and maintenance of sewer systems. This financial flexibility is particularly important as cities work to upgrade aging infrastructure and meet modern environmental standards.

Summary

Senate Bill 589, titled 'Relative to wastewater surcharges', introduces provisions for the collection of a limited surcharge on wastewater services. This bill aims to allow municipalities to impose a surcharge on customers outside their municipal boundaries for sewer services, which may be up to 15% higher than the rate charged to in-municipality customers. The intent is to provide municipalities with a means to enhance their sewer systems and address funding needs without overburdening local taxpayers.

Contention

While supporters argue that this bill empowers local governments to generate necessary funding for essential services, critics may raise concerns about the fairness of imposing higher costs on out-of-town customers. There might also be unease regarding the potential inequity among residents who live in close proximity to municipal boundaries versus those who are further away, as well as how these charges might affect low-income households outside city limits. Depending on how surcharges are implemented and communicated, there could be contention over transparency and accountability in how these funds are utilized.