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MississippiSB 25262026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Rural Water Oversight Committee; create and prescribe duties of.

Sponsored By: Bart Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public UtilitiesAccountability, Efficiency, TransparencyEnergy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Rural water providers face rate rules

Rural water providers must get rate studies by December 1, 2027, and every five years after that. They generally must use recommended rates within one year; increases of 50% or more may be phased in over two years. Within 12 months after using the required rates, providers must put at least 5% of annual gross revenue into a repair and replacement account, unless a rate study sets another amount or funds depreciation. Projects costing more than 20% of the prior year's gross revenue need a rate study before work begins. Providers must use an approved study entity, or one that conducted a Mississippi rate study in the past five years.

More support for rural water providers

Subject to legislative appropriation, a state fund pays $500,000 each year for three employees who help providers with required studies and plans. Beginning July 1, 2026, the fund must also provide at least $500,000 annually to a statewide nonprofit with a circuit rider program, subject to appropriation. That money pays salaries for three employees supporting rural water systems. This second funding provision ends July 1, 2031. Households do not receive direct payments.

Plans to expand rural water capacity

Rural water providers must make an asset management plan by December 1, 2027, and every year after that. Plans must cover system assets, service expectations, maintenance, costs, and revenue. When a system reaches 75% of its total capacity, the provider must plan an upgrade and update its asset plan when upgrade work starts. The state health department may issue a deficiency notice if the provider fails to meet the capacity requirements.

New oversight for troubled water providers

New rural water providers must show they can stay financially sound and pass a technical, financial, and management review. Providers scoring below 70 points on reviewed state health lists must be reported to the oversight committee. The state health department must publish a list of distressed providers; each must file an improvement plan within 90 days and may appeal a distress finding in specified state courts. A distressed provider generally cannot get state operating aid until its plan is approved, unless aid is immediately needed to protect public peace, health, and safety. The committee must approve certain new debt, aid, or asset transfers, and may direct partners to replace a board only when the provider is distressed and its board is nonfunctional.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bart Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Concurred in Amend From House

Yes: 51 • No: 1

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 109 • No: 4 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/19/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/13/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/13/2026Senate

  4. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/10/2026Senate

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/5/2026House

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026House

  7. Amended

    3/4/2026House

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2026House

  9. DR - TSDPAA: AC To PU

    3/3/2026House

  10. DR - TSDPAA: PU To AC

    2/26/2026House

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

    2/16/2026House

  12. Transmitted To House

    2/16/2026Senate

  13. Passed As Amended

    2/10/2026Senate

  14. Amended

    2/10/2026Senate

  15. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/10/2026Senate

  16. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/2/2026Senate

  17. Referred To Energy

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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