SB 2526

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI RURAL WATER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO SET COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP; TO REQUIRE PROVIDERS TO OBTAIN A RATE STUDY AND CAPACITY STUDY BY DECEMBER 1, 2027, AND EVERY FIVE YEARS THEREAFTER; TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR RATES; TO PROVIDE FOR MODIFICATION OF RATES ACCORDING TO RATE STUDIES; TO REQUIRE PROVIDERS TO DEVELOP AN ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN BY DECEMBER 1, 2027; TO STIPULATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN; TO ALLOW THE COMMITTEE TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE RATE STUDIES, CAPACITY STUDIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT PLANS; TO REQUIRE PROVIDERS TO SET ASIDE A PORTION OF GROSS REVENUES FOR REFURBISHMENT AND REPLACEMENT; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO MAINTAIN AN APPROVED LIST OF ENTITIES TO CONDUCT RATE STUDIES; TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL; TO REQUIRE A RATE STUDY OR AMENDMENT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT; TO REQUIRE RATE STUDIES TO BE FILED WITH THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE; TO DESCRIBE WHEN A PROVIDER IS IN FISCAL DISTRESS; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAINTAIN A LIST OF PROVIDERS IN FISCAL DISTRESS; TO REQUIRE PROVIDERS IN FISCAL DISTRESS TO FILE AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN; TO STIPULATE ACTIONS UPON RECEIPT OF AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN; TO PROHIBIT FISCALLY DISTRESSED PROVIDERS FROM RECEIVING CERTAIN STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNTIL AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS IN PLACE; TO PROVIDE FOR REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS UPON A FINDING OF FISCAL DISTRESS; TO REQUIRE PROVIDERS AT 75% CAPACITY TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS CONFLICTING WITH FEDERAL LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 41-3-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT OF NEW EMPLOYEES' ANNUAL SALARIES OUT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND RURAL WATER SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.