Amendment ID: S2016-11

Amendment 11

Water Infrastructure Status Annual Update

Mr. Michael O. Moore moves to amend the bill by inserting, after section ___,  the following new section:-

“SECTION  ____.  (a) Not later than October 1 of every year, the department of environmental protection, in consultation with the Clean Water Trust, shall hold a public hearing relative to the condition and needs of the Commonwealth’s water infrastructure systems.

(b) Public notice of any hearing shall be provided at least 60 days in advance.

(c) The department shall identify as witnesses for the public hearing a representative sample of interested organizations, government agencies, municipalities and regional water authorities, including, but not limited to: (i) at least three municipalities; (ii) at least two regional water authorities; (iii) the executive director of the Clean Water Trust or his designee; (iv) a representative of a business organization or commercial or real estate development organization; (v) a representative of an environmental organization with expertise in water quality and infrastructure; (vi) a representative of an organization representing water work professionals and (iv) the secretary of the executive office of administration and finance or his designee.

(d) The department shall compile an annual report addressing the condition of the Commonwealth’s water infrastructure systems.  In addition, the report shall address the Commonwealth’s progress in addressing the areas of need and concern as identified in the report issued by the Massachusetts Water Infrastructure Finance Commission.  The report shall be submitted to the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means and the chairs of the joint committee on the environment and natural resources and shall be published and available to the public not later than December 31 of each year. The report shall include any legislative language necessary to implement the report’s recommendations.”