Bay Restoration Fund - Authorized Uses - Connection to Existing Municipal Wastewater Facility

HB 24 expands the Bay Restoration Fund's eligible uses to cover the cost of connecting properties using on-site sewage systems (like septic tanks) to existing municipal wastewater facilities. This directly affects homeowners with septic systems who want to connect to municipal systems, particularly prioritizing failing systems in Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas and low-income areas. The bill authorizes using 60% of specific sewage disposal fees to pay the principal (but not interest) for debt issued by local governments to fund these connections, including for systems meeting enhanced nutrient removal standards. It also maintains existing priorities for system upgrades and includes provisions for low-income homeowners.