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MississippiSB 23102026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Inadequacy of water service; authorizing the PSC to cancel a municipality's certificate upon findings of.

Sponsored By: Bart Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public UtilitiesAccountability, Efficiency, TransparencyEnergy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State can take over failing utilities

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Public Service Commission can ask a court to put a receiver in charge of a failing water or sewer utility, or a city‑owned water or electric system that serves more than one mile outside city limits. This applies when the utility cannot or will not give adequate service, is abandoned, or is grossly mismanaged. The receiver runs the system, is paid from system assets, and stays until the court orders a return, transfer, new operator, or liquidation. For city‑owned electric systems in those areas, the receiver takes on the city’s wholesale power contract duties while in control. After notice and a hearing, the Commission can also order fixes and, if not done and in the public interest, cancel the utility’s certificate for that service area. Before a city uses eminent domain for a service area beyond one mile, the Commission must first decide that the certificate for that area will be cancelled.

Some HOAs exempt from water rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, an eligible homeowners association that supplies water only to its own residents is not regulated under this chapter. A company that supplies water only to that association for those residents is also exempt. The exemption applies whether the HOA runs the water full‑time or only as an emergency backup when city water is unavailable, unreliable, or unsafe.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bart Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 135 • No: 27

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 94 • No: 17

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 10 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/13/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/9/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/9/2026Senate

  4. Returned For Enrolling

    3/5/2026House

  5. Passed

    3/4/2026House

  6. Title Suff Do Pass

    3/3/2026House

  7. DR - TSDP: AC To PU

    3/3/2026House

  8. DR - TSDP: PU To AC

    2/26/2026House

  9. Referred To Public Utilities;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

    2/16/2026House

  10. Transmitted To House

    2/11/2026Senate

  11. Passed

    2/10/2026Senate

  12. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/2/2026Senate

  13. Referred To Energy

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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