Sen. Lazzara files bill in North Carolina Senate to improve water and sewer infrastructure

A new bill filed by State Sen. Lazzara seeks to enhance water and sewer infrastructure while ensuring fair allocation policies and transparency among local governments, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 758 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Water & Sewer Allocation Reforms.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to promote water and sewer infrastructure development and streamline water and sewer service allocation for residential developments. It stipulates that local government units cannot impose unauthorized conditions on applicants seeking these services for new housing projects. The bill prohibits preference systems that consider building design or require minimum square footage and larger parking spaces. It mandates transparency by requiring local governments receiving public funds to publish quarterly reports on water and sewer capacity and expansion efforts. The bill necessitates temporary allocation policies if capacity constraints exist and allows aggrieved parties to seek injunctive relief if local governments do not comply. Additionally, the State Water Infrastructure Authority is tasked with monitoring adherence to these allocation requirements and offering technical assistance. The bill becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lazzara proposed the most bills (38) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lazzara, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Harry Brown.