AN ACT relating to the delegation of federal and state disaster recovery funds for stream clearing and water infrastructure development.

 AN ACT relating to the delegation of federal and state disaster recovery funds for stream clearing and water infrastructure development.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. Legislative Findings and Purpose

The General Assembly finds that repeated flooding events have caused significant damage to communities across the Commonwealth, particularly in Eastern Kentucky. Many of these events are worsened by obstructed waterways, inadequate stream maintenance, and lack of proper drainage and water infrastructure. The purpose of this Act is to establish a mechanism for the delegation of funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) programs, and state disaster recovery funds for proactive stream clearing, flood mitigation, and expansion of county-wide water and sewage infrastructure to unserved or underserved areas.

Section 2. Delegation of Funds

(1) The Kentucky Division of Water, in coordination with the Kentucky Emergency

Management and the Energy and Environment Cabinet, shall establish a Stream and Flood Mitigation Program to receive and allocate funds from FEMA, EPA, AML, and state disaster recovery programs. (2) Funds shall be delegated specifically for the following purposes: (a) Clearing and maintenance of creeks, waterways, and flood-prone areas to prevent obstructions and future flooding; (b) Rehabilitation of natural drainage systems and floodplain restoration; (c) Technical and financial assistance to counties and municipalities for localized mitigation efforts.

Section 3. County Infrastructure Expansion Subsection

(1) A portion of delegated funds shall be allocated to identify and develop county-wide water and sewage infrastructure projects. (2) The Division of Water shall work with county governments, local water districts, and public service commissions to identify areas that are currently unserved or underserved by public water and sewage systems. (3) Funding shall prioritize areas with demonstrated public health or environmental risks and areas of repeated flooding events.

Section 4. Reporting and Accountability

(1) The Division of Water shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the funds allocated, projects completed, and measurable reductions in flood damage and water infrastructure gaps. (2) All disbursements and expenditures shall be publicly reported and made available through the Kentucky Transparency Portal.

Section 5. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect upon passage and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming law.