What's happening
This bill allows property owners to designate septic system installers to receive direct reimbursements from the state septic system replacement fund.
Why it matters
Streamlines reimbursement. By allowing property owners to authorize direct payments to septic system installers, this bill can reduce out-of-pocket costs and financial barriers for homeowners who might otherwise need to pay upfront and wait for state reimbursement.
May accelerate septic upgrades. Direct reimbursement to installers could encourage faster project completion, as installers are assured prompt payment from the state fund, potentially making them more willing to take on projects.
Adds oversight for direct payments. The bill requires extra verification when a contractor is designated to receive reimbursement, aiming to safeguard against fraud and ensure that only legitimate expenses are covered.
Could expand installer participation. By making the payment process more attractive and predictable for contractors, the bill might increase the pool of septic system installers willing to work with the state program, potentially reducing wait times for property owners needing septic replacements.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Septic Fund Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by A7892
- Ordered to third reading cal.2066
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expand Septic Fund Access
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6317
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HANNON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the septic system replacement fund
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 and subdivision 3 of section 1285-u of the public authorities law, as added by section 9 of part T of chapter 57 of the laws of 2017, are amended to read as follows:
(a) There is hereby created the state septic system replacement fund, which shall be administered by the corporation to reimburse property owners or at the written request of a property owner, the septic system installer contracted by the property owner, for up to fifty percent of the eligible costs incurred for eligible septic system projects, provided that no property owner shall be reimbursed more than ten thousand dollars and no septic system installer may be reimbursed more than ten thousand dollars per property.
3. (a) A participating county shall notify property owners who may be eligible to participate in the program. Determinations of eligibility will be made by the participating county based on the published program criteria and consideration of a property's location in relation to a waterbody, impacts to groundwater used as drinking water, and the condition of the property owner's current septic system as determined by:
(i) the county health department official; or
(ii) other designated authority having jurisdiction, pursuant to septic inspections required by a municipal separate storm sewer system permit; or
(iii) a septic contractor pursuant to the applicable county sanitary code provided, however, in cases where a property owner has authorized
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11639-01-7
S. 6317 2
in writing such contractor to receive reimbursement directly, additional verification shall be required.
(b) An owner of property served by a septic system or cesspool may apply to a participating county on an application substantially in the form provided by the corporation.
(c) Property owners in participating counties must have signed a property owner participation agreement with the county before the start of the design phase to be eligible for reimbursement from the fund. The agreement must be substantially in the form provided by the corporation and include, without limitation, the program's goals, guidelines, eligibility requirements and reimbursement procedures.
(d) A property owner may apply for reimbursement of eligible costs by submitting to the participating county a reimbursement application, which must include at least:
(i) a signed property owner participation agreement;
(ii) a completed reimbursement application form substantially in the form provided by the corporation;
(iii) any applicable design approval for the septic system project;
(iv) description of all work completed; [and]
(v) cost documentation and invoice or invoices for eligible costs[.]; and
(vi) any written authorization for a septic system installer to receive reimbursement directly.
(e) Participating counties will be responsible for reviewing their property owners' applications and approving, modifying or denying the reimbursement requests as appropriate and issuing reimbursement payments to property owners from financial assistance payments made to the county from the fund.
(f) Participation in this program and the receipt of payments shall not prevent participating counties from providing additional reimbursement to property owners.
(g) Subject to the limitations of paragraph (d) of this subdivision, the county may set graduated incentive reimbursement rates for septic system projects to maximize pollution reduction outcomes.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 9 of part T of chapter 57 of the laws of 2017, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the septic system replacement fund
Purpose of bill
The purpose of this bill is to make it easier for homeowners to access funding available in the Septic System Replacement Fund.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends section 1285-u of the public authorities law to authorize septic system installers, upon written agreement from homeowners, to receive direct reimbursement from the Septic System Replacement Fund.
Justification
The 2017-18 State Budget authorized the creation of a Septic System Replacement Fund in order to incentivize the replacement of failing septic systems and the installation of more effective septic systems, such as advanced nitrogen removal systems. The Fund provides reimbursement to homeowners eligible to participate in the program. Concerns have been expressed about the out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred by homeowners. This bill would allow septic contractors, upon receipt of written authorization from eligible homeowners, to receive reimbursement directly. Such direct reimbursement would help maximize participation and ensure that low-income homeowners can also afford to participate.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 9 of part T of the laws of 2017, takes effect.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.