MS Senate approves legislation allowing municipalities flexibility in collecting on utility bills

House Bill 359 was approved by Mississippi Senate officials Wednesday.

House Bill 359 allows for cities to have more flexibility collecting overdue utility bill balances. On Wednesday, the Mississippi Senate approved the Bill, allowing it to move to the House for consideration.

The legislation was led by Senators John Horhn and David Blount.

Under the bill, municipally-owned utility companies would be allowed to develop a repayment program for overdue accounts. These utility companies would include water, sewer, electric, gas and any other city-offered utility service. Municipalities will also be given the authority to adjust balances due to errors.

“Many cities suffered interrupted utility service and other problems during the recent snowstorm which swept the State, including the Capital City,”  Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said.  “This bill is intended to provide more options to cities to collect unpaid debt and reconcile accounts where a consumer’s bill is incorrect due to a natural disaster or other emergency.”