Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §4406, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 199, §1, is further amended to read:

3. Utility installation. A public utility, water district, sanitary district or any utility company of any kind may not install services to any lot or dwelling unit in a subdivision, unless written authorization attesting to the validity and currency of all local permits required under this chapter has been issued by the appropriate municipal officials or other written arrangements have been made between the municipal officers and the utility, except that if a public utility, water district, sanitary district or utility company of any kind has installed services to a lot or dwelling unit in a subdivision pursuant to this section, a subsequent public utility, water district, sanitary district or utility company of any kind may install services to the lot or dwelling unit in a subdivision without first receiving written authorization pursuant to this section.

Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §444, last ¶, as amended by PL 1997, c. 199, §2, is further amended to read:

A public utility, water district, sanitary district or any utility company of any kind may not install services to any new structure located in a shoreland area, as defined by section 435, unless written authorization attesting to the validity and currency of all local permits required under this chapter has been issued by the appropriate municipal officials or other written arrangements have been made between the municipal officers and the utility, except that if a public utility, water district, sanitary district or utility company of any kind has installed services to a new structure pursuant to this section, a subsequent public utility, water district, sanitary district or utility company of any kind may install services to the new structure without first receiving written authorization pursuant to this section.

SUMMARY

This bill removes the requirement for multiple written authorizations in order to install new utility services. Written authorization is only required for the first utility installing service. Any subsequent utility installing services is not required to obtain written authorization in order to install new services.