MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Public Utilities

By: Senator(s) Gunn

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 41-26-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF A GOVERNING BOARD OF A COMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM TO HAVE MANAGEMENT TRAINING; TO ESTABLISH DEADLINES FOR RECEIVING THAT TRAINING; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ORGANIZE THAT TRAINING TO MINIMIZE THE INTERFERENCE WITH THE SCHEDULES OF BOARD MEMBERS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO CHARGE A REASONABLE FEE TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF MANAGEMENT TRAINING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 41-26-101, Mississippi Code of 1972:

41-26-101. (1)(a) Each new member elected after June 30, 1997, to serve on a governing board of any community public water system shall attend a minimum of eight (8) hours of management training within one (1) year following the election of that board member.

(b) Each member reelected after June 30, 1997, to serve on a governing board of any community public water system shall attend a minimum of eight (8) hours of management training within three (3) years following the reelection of that board member.

(c) Before October 1, 1999, at least one (1) member of the governing board of each community public water system shall attend a minimum of eight (8) hours of management training.

(2) The management training shall be organized by the State Department of Health, in cooperation with the Mississippi Rural Water Association and other organizations. The management training shall include information on water system management and financing, rate setting and structures, operations and maintenance, applicable laws and regulations, ethics, the duties and responsibilities of a board member and other information deemed necessary by the department after consultation with the association and other organizations. The department shall develop and provide all training materials. The department may charge a reasonable fee to defray the costs of providing materials and providing the management training.

(3) To avoid board members having to interfere with their jobs or employment, management training sessions may be divided into segments and, to the greatest extent possible, shall be scheduled for evening sessions. The department shall conduct management training on a regional basis and shall use community college or other public facilities for the convenience of board members.

(4) The department may make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances to the requirements of this section for good cause shown.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.