MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Conservation and Water Resources
By: Representative Formby
AN ACT TO CREATE THE JACKSON COUNTY UTILITY AUTHORITY STUDY COMMITTEE; TO SPECIFY THE MEMBERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONSERVATION COMMITTEES BY NOVEMBER 2016; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Jackson County Utility Authority Study Committee is hereby created. It shall consist of members who are to be selected as follows:
(a) Two (2) representatives from the Jackson County Utility Authority appointed by the authority;
(b) Two (2) from each municipality serviced by the Jackson County Utility Authority appointed by the municipalities' governing authorities;
(c) Two (2) from the West Jackson County Utility District appointed by the utility district;
(d) Two (2) from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors appointed by the board;
(e) Two (2) Senators of the Mississippi Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor who represent districts containing municipalities and rural areas served by the Jackson County Utility Authority; and
(f) Two (2) Representatives of the Mississippi House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives who represent districts containing municipalities served by the Jackson County Utility Authority.
(2) The study committee shall be tasked with addressing the following:
(a) The cost to the municipalities serviced by the Jackson County Utility Authority;
(b) The budgets of the Jackson County Utility Authority;
(c) The environmental authority of the Jackson County Utility Authority;
(d) The impact to the municipalities serviced by the Jackson County Utility Authority;
(e) The current legislative authority of the Jackson County Utility Authority;
(f) The relationship of the wholesale and resale component of the Jackson County Utility Authority; and
(g) Costs of service including rates for water and sewer connection fees and any other fees associated with consumers serviced directly by the Jackson County Utility Authority.
(3) The study committee shall meet no later than June 1, 2016, and organize by selecting from its membership a chair and vice chair. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. The committee shall issue a report of their findings to the Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the House of Representatives and the Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi Senate no later than November 1, 2016.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.