Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session

Mississippi HB1677: Metro Jackson Water Authority Act; create.

Status: Signed into law, April 8, 2026

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