SB546

Senate Bill 546 amends Arkansas state law regarding water permits for nonmunicipal domestic sewage treatment works. The bill sets stricter criteria for issuing or modifying permits for these facilities when they are located within five miles of a publicly owned treatment works, requiring a feasibility study if no significant threat of pollution exists. It formally repeals outdated language regarding expired financial assurance waiver programs for permits. The legislation also reduces the initial trust fund contribution fee for new or modified sewage treatment works from 10% to 8% of the estimated construction cost. Additionally, it modifies the timeline for permit renewals related to trust fund contributions and adjusts the fund balance thresholds that trigger the collection or suspension of annual trust fund fees. The bill generally aims to update regulatory processes and adjust financial requirements for small-scale sewage treatment infrastructure.