SB398: Bill Text

LRB-3150/3

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2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Senate BILL 398

November 18, 2009 - Introduced by Senator Sullivan, cosponsored by Representatives Sinicki, A. Williams and Danou. Referred to Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail.

SB398,1,2 An Act to amend 66.0817 (intro.); and to create 66.0818 of the statutes; relating to: privatization of certain municipal water utilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a city, village, or town (municipality) that owns or operates a public utility is allowed to sell or lease the utility only if the municipality follows specified procedures, including obtaining the approval of the Public Service Commission. This bill prohibits a first class city that owns or operates a water utility from selling or leasing the utility to a private person, or otherwise arranging for a private person to operate the utility, unless the requirements under current law are satisfied and the senate approves the sale, lease, or other arrangement. The bill does not affect current law regarding a sale or lease to a person that is not a private person.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB398, s. 1 Section 1. 66.0817 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB398,1,6 66.0817 Sale or lease of municipal public utility plant. (intro.) A Except as provided in s. 66.0818, a town, village or city may sell or lease any complete public utility plant owned by it in the following manner:

SB398, s. 2 Section 2. 66.0818 of the statutes is created to read:

SB398,2,7 66.0818 Privatization of certain municipal water utilities prohibited. A 1st class city that owns or operates a municipal public utility that furnishes water may not sell or lease the public utility to, or otherwise arrange for operation of the public utility by, a private person unless the requirements of s. 66.0817 are satisfied and the senate, by a majority vote of those members present and voting, approves the sale, lease, or other arrangement.

SB398,2,8 (End)