HB1425: ARPA Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Programs; establish under DEQ and Department of Health.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Provide That The Department Of Environmental Quality Shall Establish A Grant Program To Be Known As The Arpa Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program To Assist Political Subdivisions, Utility Authorities And Nonprofit Utilities In The Construction Of Eligible Wastewater And Stormwater Infrastructure Projects Under The American Rescue Plan Act (arpa); To Create A Special Fund In The State Treasury To Be Known As The Arpa Wastewater Infrastructure Fund, Which Shall Be Used By The Department To Make Grants Under The Grant Program; To Provide That Upon The Approval Of An Application For A Grant Under The Program, The Department Shall Enter Into A Project Grant Agreement With Each Grantee To Establish The Terms Of The Grant For The Project, Including The Amount Of The Grant; To Provide That Any Assistance Provided For A Project Under The Grant Program Shall Be Subject To A Grantee Cost-sharing Requirement Of Not Less Than Twenty Percent; To Provide That Any Personal Or Professional Services Contracts Entered Into By The Department In Carrying Out Its Responsibilities Under The Grant Program Shall Be Exempt From Review And Approval By The Public Procurement Review Board; To Provide That The State Department Of Health Shall Establish A Grant Program To Be Known As The Arpa Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Program To Assist Political Subdivisions, Utility Authorities And Nonprofit Utilities In The Construction Of Eligible Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects Under The American Rescue Plan Act (arpa); To Create A Special Fund In The State Treasury To Be Known As The Arpa Drinking Water Infrastructure Fund, Which Shall Be Used By The Department To Make Grants Under The Grant Program; To Provide That Upon The Approval Of An Application For A Grant Under The Program, The Department Shall Enter Into A Project Grant Agreement With Each Grantee To Establish The Terms Of The Grant For The Project, Including The Amount Of The Grant; To Provide That Any Assistance Provided For A Project Under The Grant Program Shall Be Subject To A Grantee Cost-sharing Requirement Of Not Less Than Twenty Percent; To Provide That Any Personal Or Professional Services Contracts Entered Into By The Department In Carrying Out Its Responsibilities Under The Grant Program Shall Be Exempt From Review And Approval By The Public Procurement Review Board; To Amend Section 27-104-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provision; And For Related Purposes.