MS HB1563

Expands municipal utility commissions from a maximum of 5 members to 7 members, with 2 members required to be customers who receive residential utility service outside the municipality's boundaries

Grants county governing authorities the power to each appoint one member to municipal utility boards that provide services outside city limits, with a cap of 2 county-appointed members total

Counties must make their appointments within 60 days; if they fail to do so, the municipality may appoint those remaining members instead

Removes the exemption that previously allowed municipal water systems in cities over 10,000 population to skip board member management training requirements

Effective date is July 1, 2026