PUBLIC Law, Chapter 58, An Act To Remove Restrictions on the Membership of Regional Water Councils

An Act To Remove Restrictions on the Membership of Regional Water Councils

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §6801, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 209, §1, is amended to read:

§ 6801. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1. Regional water council. "Regional water council" means a nonprofit corporation established for the benefit of 2 or more water utilities water-related entities pursuant to this chapter , where at least one of the organizing members is a water utility.

2. Water-related entity. "Water-related entity" means a water utility or a municipal or quasi-municipal entity owning, controlling, operating or managing sewer, sanitary or storm water works.

Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §6802, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 209, §1, is amended to read:

§ 6802. Regional water councils authorized

Two or more water utilities water-related entities may organize a regional water council by forming a nonprofit corporation under Title 13-B, the as long as one of the organizing members is a water utility. The membership of which a regional water council is restricted to water utilities water-related entities. A water utility is not required to become a member of a regional water council.

Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §6803, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 209, §1, is amended to read:

§ 6803. Council organization

The organizational documents of a regional water council must provide for representation of each member. The documents must specify the organizational structure, the method of withdrawal, the method of terminating the council and the grounds for suspension of member water utilities members.

Sec. 4. 35-A MRSA §6804, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 209, §1, is amended to read:

D. Exercise its powers and authority as a nonprofit corporation under Title 13-B as necessary or desirable for dealing with issues of local or regional significance to its members, except that it may not exercise any power or authority that would cause the regional water council to become a water utility water-related entity within this State.

Sec. 5. 35-A MRSA §6807, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 209, §1, is amended to read:

§ 6807. Finances; annual report

1. Expenses. The member water utilities members of a regional water council may contribute funds to meet the expenses of the council. Services of personnel, use of equipment and office space and other necessary services may be accepted from members as part of their financial support.

2. Funds; limitation. A regional water council may accept funds, grants, gifts and services from:

A. The Federal Government;

B. The State or its departments, agencies or instrumentalities;

C. Any governmental unit not specified in paragraph A or B, whether participating in the regional water council or not; and

D. Private and public sources.

A fund, grant, gift or service of the State or its departments, agencies or instrumentalities otherwise available to water utilities water-related entities may not be made conditional on a water utility's water-related entity's membership in a regional water council.

3. Report. A regional water council shall make an annual report of its including a statement of financial activities to the member utilities water-related entities. The report must be filed with the Public Utilities Commission and the drinking water program of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

HP0477 LD 686	PUBLIC Law, Chapter 58 on - Session - 128th Maine Legislature
	Bill Tracking, Additional Documents	Chamber Status

Bill Tracking		Chamber Status
Amendments	Testimony, Public Hearings & Work Sessions		Committee Information for this Bill
Other Documents			Title & Section

Search Bill Text		Search Bill Status
Bill Directory	Current Committees		Legislative Information
Download MS-Word, Printed PDF		Maine Legislature

Office of Legislative Information 100 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333		voice: (207) 287-1692 fax: (207) 287-1580 tty: (207) 287-6826
Word Viewer for Windows		Disclaimer