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Bill > HB651
KY HB651
KY HB651AN ACT relating to public water and wastewater systems and declaring an emergency.
summary
Introduced
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
In Committee
03/31/2026
03/31/2026
Crossed Over
03/04/2026
03/04/2026
Passed
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amend KRS 224A.320 to require that eligible funding recipients for the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems (WWATERS) Program meet 3 or more of the specified eligibility criteria instead of 1; exclude projects that expand the utility service of funding applicants from the definition of "eligible project"; require that a funding application include a detailed budget for all proposed project expenses; allow the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority board to evaluate and score funding applications for proposed projects in phases; require that approved eligible funding recipients adopt best management practices that would address the performance deficiencies that made the applicant eligible for funding; remove the funding evaluation criteria categories of current accounts payable turnover ratio and current days' sales in accounts receivable ratio; remove the requirement from the evaluation criteria that the applicant's receipt of a notice of violation of drinking water or other water quality standards occur in the past year; add to the funding eligibility criteria that the funding applicant can demonstrate that the amount of stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration entering the funding applicant's system seriously impairs its effectiveness; add to the funding evaluation criteria that the funding applicant previously received funding through the program for a prior phase of the proposed project; add to the funding evaluation criteria that the funding applicant can demonstrate that the estimated costs are comparable to actual costs incurred for similar projects; add to the funding evaluation criteria that a licensed professional engineer signed an attestation of the application's veracity; require that in the evaluation of the funding applications, the board separately score and individually rank all eligible projects, with additional consideration given to projects that provide or restore safe water or wastewater utility service; EMERGENCY.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems (WWATERS) Program by requiring applicants to meet at least three eligibility criteria instead of one, and it clarifies that projects expanding utility service areas are not considered eligible projects. The bill also mandates that funding applications include a detailed budget for all proposed expenses and allows the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority board to evaluate and score applications in phases. Furthermore, approved recipients must adopt best management practices to address their performance deficiencies, and certain financial evaluation criteria, such as accounts payable turnover and days' sales in accounts receivable ratios, have been removed. The bill also adds new eligibility and evaluation criteria, including demonstrating significant stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration issues, having previously received funding for an earlier phase of a project, showing cost comparability to similar projects, and requiring a licensed professional engineer to attest to the application's accuracy. Importantly, the bill requires the board to separately score and rank all eligible projects, giving extra consideration to those that provide or restore safe water or wastewater utility service. An emergency clause is included, indicating the bill's immediate effect.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 116) (on 04/13/2026)
Bill Topics
Environment
- ‐ Drinking Water Safety
- ‐ Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
- ‐ General Environment
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb651.html | 02/17/2026 |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/26RS/documents/0116.pdf | 05/29/2026 |
| Senate Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/HB651/SCS1.pdf | 04/01/2026 |
| Fiscal Note to House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb651/HCS1FN.pdf | 03/04/2026 |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb651/bill.pdf | 03/03/2026 |
| House Committee Substitute 1 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/HB651/HCS1.pdf | 03/03/2026 |
| Vote History for HB651 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb651/vote_history.pdf | 03/03/2026 |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb651/orig_bill.pdf | 02/17/2026 |
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