1.__Public Utilities Commission.__The commission may receive, obtain and distribute state, federal or other funds supporting regional water council tasks and may provide assistance to regional water councils as appropriate.__This subsection does not require the commission to determine the appropriate disbursement of state, federal or other funds among members of a regional water council and does not prohibit a regional water council from obtaining, receiving or disbursing funds without commission involvement.

Nothing in this chapter limits the commission's jurisdiction or authority over water utilities that are members of regional water councils.

2.__Rulemaking.__The commission may adopt rules to establish procedures and audit requirements related to the requirements of this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.