HB 1563 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Municipal utilities; revise composition of the commission to include one person who is a customer that receives service by such utility.

HB 1563 changes the composition of municipal utility commissions in Mississippi, requiring two members to be customers living outside the city limits who receive utility service. This directly affects municipal utility commissions managing water, electricity, or other public utilities owned by cities. The bill also adds a requirement for all community public water system board members to complete management training within two years of election, with costs covered by the water system. These changes aim to increase community representation and ensure board members have necessary operational knowledge.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower Current version · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the composition and appointment rules for municipal utility commissions to ensure broader representation from surrounding counties when a utility serves a significant number of non-resident customers. It also introduces stricter management training requirements for water system board members who receive poor performance ratings and clarifies the definition of 'interested party' in legal hearings.
Scope change
The bill expands the applicability of county appointment authority to municipal utility commissions by adding a specific threshold based on the percentage of customers living outside municipal limits.
ELIGIBILITY

Changed the criteria for county-appointed members on municipal utility commissions from a general rule to a specific threshold requiring that more than 20% of customers live outside the city limits.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for water system board members to complete additional management training if their system receives a 'D' or 'F' rating from the Department of Health.

DEFINITION

Revised the definition of 'interested party' to clarify that it applies to any person claiming an interest in the water system operation that is the subject of a hearing.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026 · House Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

520
Passed
Total votes 52
Mar 10, 2026
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican34
34 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Filed
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Referred To Energy
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed As Amended
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Referred To Public Utilities
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jonathan McMillan
Jonathan McMillan
RRepublican
MS
58