MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Public Utilities

By: Representative Barnett (116th)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ALLOW MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING OWNERS TO USE SUBMETERING EQUIPMENT OR AN ECONOMIC ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY TO DETERMINE WATER USAGE PER TENANT AND TO AUTHORIZE THOSE BUILDING OWNERS TO BILL TENANTS INDIVIDUALLY FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Public Service Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations that are necessary or appropriate to allow the owner or operator of a building containing residential units to install submetering equipment or use an economic allocation methodology to determine the quantity of water which is provided to tenants. The building owner or operator may charge each tenant individually for water and wastewater service according to the tenant's usage, as determined through the use of the submetering equipment or allocation methodology.

A building owner or operator who uses submetering equipment or an economic allocation methodology under rules and regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to this section may not be considered, by virtue of those activities, the owner or operator of a public water system or public utility.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.