House Bill 788 Summary

• Requires the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Board to obtain Public Service Commission approval before exercising specific powers including hiring staff, entering contracts, maintaining office space, owning or leasing property, and investing funds.

• Mandates Public Service Commission approval of the utility board's annual budget, which must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year.

• Applies Public Service Commission approval requirement to the utility board's authority to accept grants and donations, create and maintain reservoirs, make rules and regulations, and conduct land surveys or inspections.

• Establishes that all powers of the utility board shall be exercised subject to Public Service Commission approval when required, with the board composed of county authority presidents and three at-large directors appointed by the Governor.

• Sets an expiration date of July 1, 2016 for these provisions affecting sections 49-17-709, 49-17-711, and 49-17-713 of the Mississippi Code.