Summary:

 House Joint Memorial 1 (HJM 1) raises awareness of the contribution of certified water and wastewater operators to public health. It urges the legislature to elevate certified water and wastewater operators to essential workers and to fund a study on providing certified water and wastewater operators with state health insurance and retirement benefits. 

 

Legislation Overview:

 House Joint Memorial 1 (HJM 1) raises awareness of the contribution of certified water and wastewater operators to public health. It urges the legislature to elevate certified water and wastewater operators to essential workers and to fund a study on providing certified water and wastewater operators with state health insurance and retirement benefits. 

HJM 1 finds that:
•	Certified water and wastewater operators provide essential services in the state by helping maintain safe and reliable sources of drinking water and treating wastewater for release back into the environment;
•	Drinking water and wastewater must be properly treated to avoid health, environmental and economic injuries; 
•	Clean water is critical for a community's recreational activities and economic development; and
•	Certified water and wastewater operators conduct operations and provide services that are essential to the continued operation of critical infrastructure.

HJM 1 requests:
•	The legislature to support legislation to elevate certified water and wastewater operators to essential workers; 
•	The legislature to fund a study to add certified water and wastewater operators to state health insurance and retirement benefit program; and
•	The members of the legislature each receive a copy of HJM 1.