summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Create The Metro Jackson Water Authority Act; To Define Certain Terms Relating To This Act; To Establish The Metro Jackson Water Authority; To Provide For The Composition And Terms Of The Board Of Directors Of The Metro Jackson Water Authority; To Require The Authority To Negotiate With The City Of Jackson To Enter Into An Agreement For The Transfer Of The Water System By Lease To The Authority; To Provide For The Appointment Of A President Of The Authority Within A Certain Time Period; To Provide Powers And Duties Of The Authority; To Require The President Of The Authority To Supervise All Administrative And Technical Activities As Provided In This Act; To Provide That Employees Of The Authority Serve At The Will And Pleasure Of The President; To Require The Authority To Enter Into Contracts For Major Procurements Only After A Competitive And Open Procurement Process; To Require That Monies Received Be Deposited Into Certain Operating Accounts; To Provide That Division Heads, Officers And Employees Of The Authority Are Public Servants; To Authorize Any Public Agency To Enter Into Certain Contracts With The Authority; To Provide Certain Provisions Relating To Public Convenience And Necessity; To Authorize The Authority To Borrow Money And Issue Bonds And Interim Notes; To Authorize The Authority To Provide For The Appointment Of A Trustee To Represent The Registered Owners Of Any Issue Of Bonds In The Enforcement Or Protection Of Their Rights Under Any Such Resolution, Trust Indenture Or Security Instrument; To Provide That The Authority Is Not Required To Pay Any Tax Or Assessment On Any Property Owned By The Authority Or Upon Any Income Therefrom; To Provide That The State, County, Municipalities Or Public Agencies Within The Geographic Boundaries Of The Authority Are Authorized To Advance, Such Funds Which In Their Discretion Are Necessary, Or Borrow Such Funds By Issuance Of Notes, For Initial Capital Contribution, And To Cover Start-up Costs Until Such Times As Sufficient Bonds, Assets And Revenues Have Been Secured To Satisfy The Needs Of The Authority For Its Management, Operation And Formation; To Amend Section 21-19-1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize Certain Municipal Governing Authorities To Dedicate A Portion Of The Rates, Fees And Charges For Collecting And Disposing Of Garbage To The Payment Of Principal Of And Interest On Bonds Or Notes Issued By A Public Authority; To Amend Section 21-19-2, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize A Municipal Governing Authority To Enter Into Certain Contracts Upon Mutual Agreement With Certain Counties; To Bring Forward Section 27-65-241, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Relates To Special Sales Taxes For Municipalities, For Purposes Of Possible Amendment; To Amend Section 21-27-57, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Update Language In The Section; To Bring Forward Sections 21-27-11, 21-27-13, 21-27-15, 21-27-17, 21-27-19, 21-27-21, 21-27-23, 21-27-25, 21-27-27, 21-27-29, 21-27-31, 21-27-33, 21-27-35, 21-27-37, 21-27-39, 21-27-40, 21-27-41, 21-27-43, 21-27-45, 21-27-47, 21-27-49, 21-27-51, 21-27-53, 21-27-55, 21-27-59, 21-27-61, 21-27-63, 21-27-65, 21-27-67, 21-27-69, 21-27-71, 21-27-73 And 21-27-75, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Relate To Municipally Owned Utilities, For Purposes Of Possible Amendment; To Bring Forward Sections 21-33-45 And 27-39-307, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For Purposes Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Metro Jackson Water Authority Act," establishes a new public benefit corporation called the Metro Jackson Water Authority to manage and operate water and wastewater systems in the Metro Jackson area. The Authority will be governed by a thirteen-member Board of Directors, with appointments made by the Mayor of Jackson, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and other officials, aiming for representation from various sectors and expertise in relevant fields. The Authority is tasked with negotiating a lease agreement with the City of Jackson for its water and wastewater systems and will assume control upon the termination of the current federal court-ordered interim third-party manager (ITPM). The bill outlines the Authority's powers, including acquiring, constructing, operating, and maintaining water and wastewater systems, borrowing money, issuing bonds and notes, and entering into contracts with public agencies. It also details provisions for competitive procurement processes, financial management, and the appointment of a President to oversee administrative and technical activities. The Authority will be exempt from taxes and assessments on its property and income. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to allow municipalities with populations of 100,000 or more to dedicate a portion of their garbage collection and disposal fees to pay for bonds or notes issued by a public authority for water, sewer, and drainage systems, and authorizes municipalities to enter into contracts with certain counties for garbage and rubbish collection and disposal services. The bill also brings forward and amends various sections of Mississippi Code of 1972 related to municipally owned utilities to ensure consistency and provide necessary legal frameworks for the Authority's operations.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Senate Amendment No 1 to Committee Amendment No 1 - Amendment No 1 to Committee Amendment No 1 (on 03/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1677.xml |
| Amendment No 1 to Committee Amendment No 1 | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/sam/HB1677_S_Amend_01_to_Cmte_Amend_01.htm |
| Committee Amendment No 1 | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/sam/HB1677_S_Cmte_Amend_01.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1600-1699/HB1677PS.htm |
| Amendment No 3 (Cmte Sub) | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/ham/HB1677_H_(Cmte_Sub)_Amend_03.htm |
| Amendment No 2 (Cmte Sub) | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/ham/HB1677_H_(Cmte_Sub)_Amend_02.htm |
| Amendment No 1 (Cmte Sub) | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/ham/HB1677_H_(Cmte_Sub)_Amend_01.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1600-1699/HB1677CS.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/HB/1600-1699/HB1677IN.htm |
Loading...