Tracking State Government Responses to Covid-19

The National Conference of State Legislatures, a trade group, is tracking state legislative responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers in several states have introduced bills related to water, mostly regarding service disconnections.

In New Jersey, lawmakers proposed a bill on March 23 that would prohibit electric, gas, and water utilities from shutting off water service for nonpayment during a disease epidemic. Utilities would also be required to reconnect households whose service had previously been turned off.

Lawmakers in Alaska, Louisiana, and Ohio have introduced similar bills that are limited to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some governors, like Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, have taken matters into their own hands, mandating a moratorium on water service shutoffs through an executive order.