Section 1 [Facilitate Drainage System Access to AgBMP Loans] eliminates the per project amount cap on loans obtained under the Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program to facilitate access to the loans by drainage authorities.

Section 2 [Clarify Drainage Authority Jurisdiction to Implement Buffers] clarifies a drainage system’s authority to order the establishment of buffer strips of perennial vegetation or side inlet controls when the authority determines that doing so is needed to control erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, or maintain the efficiency of the drainage system.

Section 3 [Clarify County’s Authority to Hire Outside Counsel to Handle Drainage Matters] clarifies that a county may hire outside counsel to handle drainage matters.

Section 4 [Facilitate Redeterminations of Drainage System Benefits] Allows 26% of the owners of property, or owners of 26% of the property, that is benefited or damaged by a drainage system to petition for a redetermination of benefits, which the drainage authority must order if it determines that the benefits or damages of record do not reflect reasonable present-day land values or that the benefited or damaged areas have changed.

Sections 5 & 6 [Technical Changes] make various technical changes.

Section 7 [Drainage System Repair Cost Apportionment Option] provides drainage authorities with a voluntary option to apportion drainage system repair costs based on relative runoff and relative sediment delivery to the drainage system.