House Bill 1753

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI, TO POSSESS THE SAME POWERS AS A CORPORATION FORMED UNDER THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION LAW, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ENTER INTO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH ANY ADJACENT PUBLIC UTILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The governing authorities of the City of New Albany, Mississippi, are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to possess the same powers as a corporation formed under the Electric Power Association Law, Section 77-5-201 et seq., and the governing authorities shall also be authorized to enter into interlocal agreements with any adjacent public utility.

(2) The powers authorized under subsection (1) of this act shall assist the City of New Albany Light, Gas and Water, which is the city's public utility, to provide a benefit to the public as there is a need to possess such powers as the area served by the City of New Albany has a customer ratio density of fourteen (14) or more customers per mile, which is one of the highest customer ratios in Northeast Mississippi. Additionally, such powers will assist the city in serving one-third (1/3) of its capacity that is outside its municipal boundaries.

(3) In authorizing the powers set out under subsection (1) of this act, the City of New Albany Light, Gas and Water shall first provide service to its unserved customers and shall only provide such service within its jurisdiction.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.