The proposed bill, introduced by Sen. Bill Monning, D, would impose a 95 cent per month drinking water tax on resident’s water bills and a tax on businesses of up to $10 per month. It also requires farms to pay fees for the contamination caused by fertilizers.
If approved, the tax would generate $2 billion over the next 15 years to aid the clean up of contaminated groundwater and improve public water systems.
Since the bill includes new taxes, it will need a two-thirds vote to pass in the state House and Senate.
Water agencies are speaking out against the proposed bill arguing that taxing drinking water sets a dangerous precedent as it is essential to life. Agriculture and environmental groups are backing the tax, according to the report.
The Senate Assembly Appropriations Committee must decide by Sept. 1 if they want to move the bill to the floor for a vote.
More articles on population health:
Tobacco company asks FDA to approve ‘less hazardous’ cigarette
Google searches for vision problems spike after solar eclipse
Interior Department halts study on health effects of coal mining
