Bill > HB05249

This bill amends the charter of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to facilitate the potential acquisition of the Aquarion Water Company, clarifying the definition of a "water company" to exclude certain homeowner associations and municipal entities serving fewer than 300,000 customer accounts, and outlining the process for appointing members to the Aquarion Water Authority board. Specifically, it details that board appointments will only occur after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approves the acquisition, and it adjusts the number of members from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District and the Aquarion Regional Water District on the Aquarion Water Authority board from six and five to five and six respectively. The bill also grants the Aquarion Water Authority broad powers related to acquiring, operating, and managing water and wastewater systems, including the ability to sue and be sued, acquire property, construct facilities, sell water, and enter into cooperative agreements, all contingent upon PURA's approval of the acquisition. Furthermore, it establishes that the provisions governing the Aquarion Water Authority will take precedence over other conflicting statutes, with certain exceptions for zoning regulations, and sets a deadline of December 31, 2027, for PURA approval for these provisions to remain effective.