MS HB1213

Amends Section 49-2-131 to require the Department of Environmental Quality to prioritize eligible applicants in second and subsequent rounds of the Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant Program if they did not receive first-round funding, with priority given for necessary repairs to existing water and sewer systems.

Amends Section 41-3-16.1 to clarify that entities operating as rural water associations are eligible for the ARPA Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program, regardless of whether they are user-created, organized as nonprofits, tax-exempt, or known as districts.

Specifies that for counties applying for grants under either program, the county engineer on behalf of the county board of supervisors shall submit the application.

Maintains existing grant program requirements including ranking systems based on environmental impact, noncompliance with state/federal standards, economic development, disadvantaged communities, applicant capacity, and project readiness.

Sets the maximum grant amount for rural water associations or eligible entities at $2,500,000 and allows the State Department of Health to retain up to 5% of funds for administrative costs.