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MississippiHB 14472025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Department of Health; authorize to increase fees for water quality analysis as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Sponsored By: Samuel Creekmore IV (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster water reports for Mississippi communities

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi's health department must provide water test reports to towns, cities, and water systems. Reports must go out by phone, email, and an online portal. Water operators must be notified immediately or within 24 hours. The law does not require direct notice to households.

Water systems face fees with safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi's health department must collect annual fees for water testing and related Safe Drinking Water Act work. The cap is the lesser of $3.75 per connection or $50,000 per water system. From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, the department can increase fees only once, based on the latest Producer Price Index increase. Suppliers must pay within 45 days after receiving an invoice. After 90 days from invoicing, the department can impose a penalty up to twice the fee, plus collection costs. Water resellers passing the fee to residential, noncommercial, or nonagricultural customers must identify its purpose on each bill. The department must adopt a fee schedule covering reasonable direct and indirect program costs through formal rulemaking and a public hearing. A four-member advisory committee studies program needs and costs and recommends fair fees for the next fiscal year by May 1 annually. Its members represent the Mississippi Rural Water Association, Mississippi Municipal Association, Mississippi Association of Supervisors, and Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, Inc. The department must consider timely recommendations. A dedicated state trust fund holds fees, public or private contributions, proceeds, grants, and interest earned. Spending is limited to reasonable direct and indirect program costs, and unused money carries forward. Excess annual fee collections must reduce the next year's total fee collections, with rates reduced proportionately. The department can transfer up to 10% of collected fees to an equipment account capped at $500,000. With legislative approval of spending, that account pays for new drinking-water testing equipment or repairs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Samuel Creekmore IV

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 161 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Passed

Yes: 49 • No: 2

House vote • 2/13/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 112 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/18/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/13/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/13/2025House

  4. Returned For Enrolling

    3/12/2025Senate

  5. Passed

    3/11/2025Senate

  6. Title Suff Do Pass

    3/3/2025Senate

  7. Referred To Public Health and Welfare

    2/18/2025Senate

  8. Transmitted To Senate

    2/17/2025House

  9. Passed As Amended

    2/13/2025House

  10. Amended

    2/13/2025House

  11. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/13/2025House

  12. Read the Third Time

    2/12/2025House

  13. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/4/2025House

  14. Referred To Public Health and Human Services

    1/20/2025House

Bill Text

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