House Bill 1734

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, AND OF THE NATCHEZ WATER WORKS IN ADAMS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO OPERATE ITS SEWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO A CERTAIN LOCATION OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF NATCHEZ; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 21-27-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the contrary, the governing authorities of the City of Natchez, Mississippi, and the Board of Water Commissioners of the Natchez Water Works in Adams County, Mississippi, in their discretion, may construct, expand, operate and maintain that portion of the Water and Sewer Distribution System of the City of Natchez and of the Natchez Water Works that pertains to providing sewer services only to the site of a proposed capital improvement project approved by the governing authorities of the City of Natchez and the Board of Supervisors of Adams County.

(2) Nothing in this act shall enlarge or extend the utility franchise of the City of Natchez or the Natchez Water Works except as specifically set forth in subsection (1) of this section; nor shall this act be construed as diminishing or altering the franchise of any utility through which the sewer line shall pass except as set forth in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The authority conferred by this act shall not be construed as an exemption from the provisions of Section 77-3-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, as to the requirements for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity, the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to regulate rates or any of the provisions of that law.

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