2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 40:2821 — Legislative findings

CHAPTER 32.  DRINKING WATER REVOLVING LOAN FUND

§2821.  Legislative findings

A.  This Chapter may be cited as the "Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Act".

B.  The legislature finds and declares that:

(1)  The Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, is the state agency within Louisiana which has, since 1977, been granted primary enforcement responsibility from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that public drinking water systems within the state are in compliance with state regulations which are no less stringent than any federal drinking water regulations adopted pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.).

(2)  The Department of Environmental Quality has, since 1989, been operating and maintaining the Municipal Facilities Revolving Loan Fund in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act, to provide assistance to wastewater treatment facilities owned or operated by municipalities and other political subdivisions, and for other assistance allowed by such Act.

(3)  The Constitution of Louisiana authorizes legislation which enables the state or its political subdivisions to comply with federal law in order to secure federal participation in the funding of capital projects.  This Act creates the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund in accordance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the improvement of public drinking water systems in Louisiana.

(4)  The financial administration of the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund shall be with the Department of Health and Hospitals.

(5)  Relative to the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program, the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, shall have the authority to establish assistance priorities and perform oversight and other related activities.

Acts 1997, No. 480, §2, eff. June 30, 1997; Acts 2003, No. 67, §3, eff. May 28, 2003.