SB 297 - This act provides that a state department, division or agency operating a state facility must allow access to its sewer line to a residential or commercial customer within the same sewer district or municipal sewerage system provided certain conditions are met.

The customer must provide written notice to the state department, division or agency that the customer wishes to connect to the state's sewer line. The state entity must then notify the Division of Design and Construction and either the sewer district or municipal sewerage system of the request. An engineer chosen by the customer with experience in sewer design and construction shall then investigate and report to the division of design and construction and the state entity operating the sewer line on the ability of the sewer line to satisfactorily process the additional sewage to be generated by the customer. All costs of the engineer shall be paid by the customer.

The Division of Design and Construction shall approve the request for connection unless good cause is demonstrated that the sewer line is unable to satisfactorily process the additional sewage. The sewer district or municipal sewerage system shall approve the request for connection unless it can demonstrate good cause that the sewerage system is unable to satisfactorily process the additional sewage. If the customer is rejected, then appeal lies with the circuit court.

If the customer's request is approved, the customer is responsible for all costs associated with the construction and future maintenance of the connection. The state entity operating the sewer line is authorized to charge a reasonable fee for the connection.

This act will not apply to sewer lines connected to package treatment plants.
JIM ERTLE