SB 5372 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Provides that, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law or of any existing or future franchise and except in the event of emergencies, cities and towns shall give public utilities operating water and sewer systems not less than one hundred eighty days' notice of changes to rights of way that will require relocations of water or sewer system facilities. The notice shall be accompanied by proposed construction plans.

Authorizes the public utilities to respond within thirty days with suggested changes to the construction plans to reduce the extent and cost of the relocations. Cities and towns shall consider such suggestions in good faith, require only such relocations as are reasonably necessary based on sound engineering practices, and adjust the construction plans accordingly.