SB 351, which passed the Senate almost unanimously (a vote of 49-1) on April 16, enables municipalities to create stormwater management authorities.

Stormwater authorities will allow multiple communities to work together to address stormwater issues on a watershed basis and could provide municipalities with potential sources of funding for stormwater planning and projects. Authorities offer an opportunity for municipalities to reduce stormwater management costs through alternatives to building expensive infrastructure.

A bill will be introduced in the house in coming weeks.