House Bill NO. 1338

By Representative(s) Eakes

AMEND by striking lines 108 through 112 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"(f) By any county, municipality or water or utility association for the purpose of acquiring easements or rights-of-way for water, sewer, drainage and other public utility purposes; provided, however, that (i) such acquisition shall not displace a property owner from his dwelling or place of business; and (ii) a water or utility association may refuse or disconnect existing service if a property owner refuses to grant the easement or right-of-way;

FURTHER AMEND the title on line 12 by inserting the following language after the semicolon:

"TO AMEND SECTION 11-27-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW WATER AND UTILITY ASSOCIATIONS TO HAVE THE RIGHT OF IMMEDIATE POSSESSION WHEN ACQUIRING EASEMENTS OR RIGHTS-OF-WAY;"