Section 5-1.2-11.5-9 - Authority to coordinate drinking water and wastewater programs; cooperation, consultation, and collaboration; data usage(a) The authority shall coordinate the executive branch activities related to the state's drinking water and wastewater programs. The authority's duties under this section include the following:(1) Serving as the executive branch coordinator of drinking water and wastewater related programs and activities of the state.(2) Serving as the executive branch coordinator for funding allocated or made available to the state or local communities from federal, state, and other sources for purposes related to drinking water, wastewater, or storm water infrastructure and systems. The authority's duties under this subdivision include: (A) communicating with utilities, local communities, and state agencies about the availability of funds;(B) vetting proposals for, and potential recipients of, available funds; and(C) directing available funds to and among utilities, local communities, and state agencies; as appropriate.
(3) Advising state agencies and political subdivisions, and coordinating their activities, regarding best practices concerning the best use of funding streams and incentives in the manner most likely to achieve comprehensive drinking water and wastewater related data collection and regional collaboration in drinking water and wastewater service.(4) Promoting and coordinating the collection and sharing of information throughout Indiana concerning drinking water and wastewater service.(5) Providing leadership regarding investment, affordability, supply, and economic development related to drinking water and wastewater service.(b) All instrumentalities, agencies, authorities, boards, and commissions of the state, including the management performance hub established by IC 4-3-26, shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the authority in carrying out the authority's duties under this section.(c) In carrying out the authority's duties under subsection (a)(3) and (a)(4), the authority may consult and collaborate with, and draw on the technical expertise of, the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure research and extension program authorized by section 10 of this chapter, as appropriate.(d) In carrying out the authority's duties under this section, the authority shall use any data the authority acquires in a manner that:(1) protects the confidential information of individual drinking water utilities, wastewater utilities, and their customers; and(2) is consistent with IC 5-14-3-4.Amended by P.L. 18-2022,SEC. 4, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by P.L. 15-2019,SEC. 6, eff. 7/1/2019.