Bill > HB1243

This bill makes several changes to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), a state entity responsible for the city's water, sewerage, and drainage systems. Key provisions include establishing that the SWBNO is separate from the city of New Orleans, allowing the city council to set rules for board member appointments and terms, and giving the city council broader regulatory authority over the SWBNO, including approval of rates, budgets, capital plans, policies, contracts, and personnel decisions. The bill also modifies the process for coordinating drainage operations with surrounding parishes, clarifies that the SWBNO is responsible for all drainage operations in New Orleans, and allows the city to transfer employees and equipment for drainage maintenance to the SWBNO. Additionally, the bill changes how the SWBNO's officers are selected, with the board now electing its own president and president pro tempore, and it allows the board to adjust or waive customer bills under specific circumstances, such as errors by the board, meter reading failures, extreme weather, or if a customer qualifies for a social welfare program. Finally, the bill mandates that SWBNO meetings must comply with the Open Meetings Law and allows the city council to investigate the board, especially after infrastructure failures.