MississippiHB 16772026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Metro Jackson Water Authority Act; create.

Sponsored By: Shanda Yates (Independent)

Signed by Governor

State AffairsWays and MeansEnergy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

Water authority staff face new job terms

Metro Jackson Water Authority employees serve at the will and pleasure of the authority president. The president sets their compensation and benefits after consulting the board. The law gives no pay amount or other job-security protection.

Jackson water authority adds public oversight

The law creates a public authority to manage water and wastewater systems serving areas Jackson serves on January 1, 2026. A nine-member board governs it, and initial public members must be appointed by May 1, 2026. Meetings and records are public, officials must file ethics disclosures, and major purchases require open competition. The authority must keep its money in insured, collateralized accounts; board members and staff receive limited liability protection when acting in good faith within their authority.

Jackson authority sets service rules

The authority must set rules for water and wastewater systems, including standards for design, operation, and maintenance. Covered building and development plans need authority certification before construction, and state agencies must require certification for certain permits. The authority can also provide local water or wastewater service and manage stormwater facilities. State agencies must cooperate while serving as regulators, not system operators.

Water rule violations can bring fines

The authority can seek a civil penalty against a person who violates its rules. The authority must bring a court case, and the penalty can be up to $100 for each day the violation continues.

Mississippi may pay startup costs

Subject to appropriations, Mississippi pays reasonable costs for private experts helping negotiate the system lease. Payments are made every two months. The state may also pay the authority president’s salary every two months if the authority does not control the systems on the appointment date. The law gives no total amount or salary figure.

Cities can change garbage billing

A municipality and county can agree for the county to bill or collect municipal garbage charges. Charges placed on a county tax bill must appear as a separate line. Municipal borrowing against garbage taxes or fees must follow a condition in state law. These provisions do not set or create a garbage charge.

Jackson water bills face new rules

The authority can set or change rates and fees for systems it operates or maintains, and the Public Service Commission does not oversee those charges. Any rate increase needs a two-thirds vote of the board’s total membership. The authority can adopt rules allowing water or wastewater service to be disconnected for unpaid charges. The law sets no rates or disconnection fee.

Ridgeland keeps wastewater rate control

Ridgeland keeps control of its wastewater rate structure. The city must pay its share of wastewater conveyance, treatment, capital improvements, and debt service. The law sets no rate or payment amount, so household bills depend on the city’s decisions and costs.

Jackson water systems change managers

The authority takes over each system or function when the court ends the interim manager’s role, unless the court orders an earlier transfer. The board must coordinate with the interim manager to limit service disruption, and crisis funds remain under that manager’s direction until the authority takes over. The authority must negotiate to lease either or both City of Jackson systems, with a lease lasting at least until its bonds are paid. The law allows system transfers and related permits, but the city’s transfer agreement cannot go to a referendum and need not make the authority assume city liabilities.

Local agencies fund water system costs

When a public agency pays its authority contract from system revenues, it must keep rates or fees sufficient to cover system costs and debt. Contracts can also require public agencies to pay system expenses, bond costs, or reserves using legally available funds. Existing water and wastewater debt stays in place when a system transfers, and contract obligations do not count toward public agencies’ debt limits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Shanda Yates
Independent • House

Cosponsors

Clay Mansell
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 256 • No: 77

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 34 • No: 15 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/30/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 79 • No: 41 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 43 • No: 8

House vote • 2/11/2026