1 New Chapter; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 485-I the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 485-J

WATER ASSISTANCE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

485-J:1 Purpose Statement. The general court recognizes that natural disasters, such as floods, fires, drought, and other acts of god, can have widespread impacts on drinking water and groundwater. As such, programs to ensure the continued availability of safe drinking water for all New Hampshire citizens are critical to future prosperity. Therefore, to the extent practicable and consistent with the provisions of this chapter, when disasters strike, sources of safe drinking water shall be made available as quickly as possible. In meeting this goal, the general court recognizes that low-income individuals are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and their ability to replace drinking water sources is often minimal. The general court hereby declares that the purpose of RSA 485-J is to provide for the replacement, repair and treatment of private drinking water sources when needed to protect human health during and after the occurrence of natural disasters.

485-J:2 Definitions. In this chapter:

I. "Department" means the department of environmental services.

II. "Fund" means the water assistance for natural disasters fund established by this chapter.

485-J:3 Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund.

I. There is hereby established in the department the water assistance for natural disasters fund which shall be maintained in the state treasury as distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of environmental services for the purposes of this chapter.

II. The commissioner of environmental services may apply for and accept from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; legislative appropriations, federal, local, private; and other matching funds and incentives. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.

III. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the distribution of money from the fund, taking into consideration ability to pay, natural disaster conditions and locations, requirements for repair, replacement and treatment, and other factors as determined by the department. The department may use a portion of appropriated funds to cover the costs of administering this chapter.

2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (387) the following new subparagraph:

(388) Moneys deposited in the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J:3.

3 Appropriation; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, which shall not lapse until June 30, 2025, is hereby appropriated to the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J for use by the department of environmental services for the purpose of assisting to fund replacement, repair and treatment of water sources damaged during natural disasters. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect June 30, 2023.

1 New Chapter; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 485-I the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 485-J

WATER ASSISTANCE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

485-J:1 Purpose Statement. The general court recognizes that natural disasters, such as floods, fires, drought, and other acts of god, can have widespread impacts on drinking water and groundwater. As such, programs to ensure the continued availability of safe drinking water for all New Hampshire citizens are critical to future prosperity. Therefore, to the extent practicable and consistent with the provisions of this chapter, when disasters strike, sources of safe drinking water shall be made available as quickly as possible. In meeting this goal, the general court recognizes that low-income individuals are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and their ability to replace drinking water sources is often minimal. The general court hereby declares that the purpose of RSA 485-J is to provide for the replacement, repair and treatment of private drinking water sources when needed to protect human health during and after the occurrence of natural disasters.

485-J:2 Definitions. In this chapter:

I. "Department" means the department of environmental services.

II. "Fund" means the water assistance for natural disasters fund established by this chapter.

485-J:3 Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund.

I. There is hereby established in the department the water assistance for natural disasters fund which shall be maintained in the state treasury as distinct and separate from all other funds. All moneys in the fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of environmental services for the purposes of this chapter.

II. The commissioner of environmental services may apply for and accept from any source, gifts; donations of money; grants; legislative appropriations, federal, local, private; and other matching funds and incentives. The moneys collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the fund established under paragraph I.

III. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the distribution of money from the fund, taking into consideration ability to pay, natural disaster conditions and locations, requirements for repair, replacement and treatment, and other factors as determined by the department. The department may use a portion of appropriated funds to cover the costs of administering this chapter.

2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (387) the following new subparagraph:

(388) Moneys deposited in the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J:3.

3 Appropriation; Water Assistance for Natural Disasters Fund. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, which shall not lapse until June 30, 2025, is hereby appropriated to the water assistance for natural disasters fund established in RSA 485-J for use by the department of environmental services for the purpose of assisting to fund replacement, repair and treatment of water sources damaged during natural disasters. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect June 30, 2023.