Bill > A02617

This bill expands eligibility for water quality infrastructure improvement funding to include water utilities, which are companies that provide water services, and homeowners associations with private wells who cannot access public water. It amends existing laws, including the Public Authorities Law, Public Health Law, and the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, to redefine "recipient" to include these entities and clarifies that any project undertaken by a water utility must have a clear public purpose and benefit its customers. Additionally, the bill amends the Real Property Tax Law to exclude the value of water infrastructure improvements funded through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 or the drinking water revolving fund from being considered a "special franchise" for tax purposes, provided that any tax savings are used to reduce current water rates and offset future increases.