1. (a) As used in this section, "program" refers to the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure research and extension program authorized by subsection (c).

2. (b) As used in this section, "utility" means any of the following that provides drinking water, wastewater, or storm water service in Indiana:

   1. (1) A public utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1 (a)).
   2. (2) A municipally owned utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1 (h)).
   3. (3) A not-for-profit utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-125 (a)).
   4. (4) A cooperatively owned corporation.
   5. (5) A conservancy district established under IC 14-33 .
   6. (6) A regional sewer district established under IC 13-26 .
   7. (7) A department of storm water management under IC 8-1.5-5 .

3. (c) A drinking water and wastewater infrastructure research and extension program may be established to provide data collection and information, training, and technical assistance concerning:

   1. (1) drinking water infrastructure;
   2. (2) wastewater infrastructure; and

   3. (3) storm water infrastructure;

      in Indiana, including assistance with infrastructure and system design, construction, operation, maintenance, financial management, and administration.

4. (d) The authority may contract with a state supported college or university in Indiana to provide the program. The program:

   1. (1) must be overseen by a director and include such staff as mutually agreed upon by the authority and the college or university; and

   2. (2) may be housed within, or share staff with, the research and highway extension program established by IC 8-17-7 , as may be mutually agreed upon by the authority and the college or university.

      The authority may financially support the program from existing funds appropriated to the authority.

5. (e) The program may provide the following services and programs to, or for the benefit of, utilities that provide drinking water, wastewater, or storm water service in Indiana:

   1. (1) Assisting utilities in the development of asset management programs by:

      1. (A) providing educational and technical assistance concerning the principles, benefits, requirements, and implementation of a successful asset management program; and
      2. (B) reviewing the asset management programs of utilities and offering advice in cases in which information or essential components may be missing or lacking.

   2. (2) Serving as a central repository for data concerning the location and condition of, and populations served by, drinking water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, and storm water infrastructure throughout Indiana, by:

      1. (A) collecting:

         1. (i) data from utilities, local units, and state agencies; or
         2. (ii) field data;
      2. (B) compiling and organizing the data collected; and

      3. (C) subject to subsection (g), making the data available in an electronic format specified by the authority on a website maintained by:

         1. (i) the authority; or
         2. (ii) the program.

   3. (3) Providing training and technical assistance to utilities by:

      1. (A) offering, participating in, or sponsoring statewide or local conferences and workshops on topics related to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and administration of utilities' infrastructure and systems; and
      2. (B) making available or providing information on professional development opportunities for Indiana's drinking water, wastewater, and storm water utility industry workforces.

6. (f) Subject to subsection (g), not later than July 1, 2023, the authority shall make information concerning all:

   1. (1) utility asset management programs; and

   2. (2) utility asset lifecycle management costs;

      submitted to or reviewed by the authority under this article available in an electronic format specified by the authority on a website maintained by the authority or the program.

7. (g) In carrying out the duties set forth in subsections (e)(2) and (f), the authority and, if applicable, the program shall use any data the authority or the program acquires in a manner that:

   1. (1) protects the confidential information of individual utilities and customers; and
   2. (2) is consistent with IC 5-14-3-4 .

As added by P.L.18-2022, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.1-2025, SEC.33.