TIME EXTENSIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL SEWER

LINE CONNECTIONS IN CITIES OVER 80,000

House Bill 4200

Sponsor:  Rep. Robert Gosselin

Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 2-14-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4200 AS INTRODUCED 2-3-05

The bill would amend the Public Health Code (MCL 333.12753) to allow for extensions of the time frame for connecting to available city sewer lines in cities with populations of 80,000 or more. 

The health code requires structures in which sanitary sewage originates to be connected to an available public sanitary sewer in a city, village, or township and provides deadlines for the connection. 

House Bill 4200 would specify that, in a city with a population of 80,000 or more, the owner of a residential structure required to be connected to an available sanitary sewer could request an extension of the time limit.  Upon request, the city could grant an extension for a period of time it determined appropriate, or for as long as an existing septic tank disposal system was in satisfactory operating condition and did not constitute a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

The bill would require the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt guidelines to assist local health departments in determining what septic tank disposal systems are in satisfactory operating condition.

The bill also would appear to say that the section would only apply if less than one percent of the sewage hook-ups are connected to the public sanitary sewer. 

In addition, the code currently provides that local units can require sewer connections within a shorter time period "for reasons of public health."  The bill would make that provision apply "for reasons of public health, safety, or welfare."

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local governmental units.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kirk Lindquist

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.