SJR 45 - Currently, sewer districts and water districts in counties of the first classification and the city of St. Louis may receive grants and loans through the Department of Natural Resources for storm water control projects. This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, limits the eligibility for sewer and water districts to only those considered "public." The amendment removes the requirement that appropriations for the Stormwater Control Fund may not exceed $20 million in aggregate per fiscal year.
Currently, the Department of Natural Resources is required to provide both grants and loans using the funds resulting from the issuance of storm water control bonds, with 50% of the funding to be used for grants and 50% for loans. This amendment removes the percentage requirements as well as the requirement that both forms of financial assistance must be offered together. Additionally, the amendment removes the requirement that grants are limited to 50% of the cost of a storm water control project.
The amendment modifies the distribution of the grants or loans by the Department by requiring the funding to be "initially offered" to the named eligible recipients rather than "dispersed" to such recipients.
Once the initial offer of grants or loans has been made to all eligible recipients, the amendment allows any unused funds to be re-offered to grant or loan recipients who need additional funding in proportions as described.
The amendment allows repayments of storm water loans and applicable interest to be deposited in a fund to finance and construct storm water control plans, studies, and projects. Unexpended balances in the fund shall not be subject to biennial transfer to the General Revenue Fund and the fund shall retain its interest.
ERIKA JAQUES