SB422 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Water Works Bd, incorp. by mun. having assets in four or more counties or serving customers in four or more counties, reorganized, appt. of members, Secs. 11-50-301, 11-50-302, 11-50-303 am'd.

Summary

SB 422 would reorganize water works boards that operate across four or more counties, changing how board members are chosen and how the board is governed.

What This Bill Does

It would reorganize eligible water works boards by changing who can sit on the board and how they are chosen. The bill describes a phased structure with a 2017 arrangement and a revised 2019 arrangement of appointments from the mayor, the municipal governing body, the county, and the countywide association of mayors. It also sets four-year terms, caps board compensation, requires ethics and training, and mandates public notice and hearings for rate increases and other open meetings requirements.

Who It Affects

• Residents and water customers within the authorizing municipality who may serve as board members or influence appointment decisions and must meet residency and qualification rules.
• County residents in counties where the board operates outside the municipality, along with county officials who appoint board members and participate in county-level representation on the board.

Key Provisions

• Reorganizes water works boards with assets in four or more counties or serving customers in four or more counties outside the organizing municipality.
• 2017 board structure: two members appointed by the mayor, four by the municipal governing body (all residents of the municipality and water customers), one member appointed by the association of mayors outside the municipality, and one member appointed by each county commission in other counties meeting criteria; association of mayors member may serve only one full term.
• 2019 board structure (effective July 1, 2019): one mayor-appointed member, three municipal appointees, three association of mayors appointees, and one county commission-appointed member; association of mayors appointees reside outside the municipality and are water customers; terms begin with specified initial lengths.
• Board members must have specified experience or education, including four-year degrees or related professional qualifications and prior board or water industry experience.
• Terms are generally four years; vacancies fill the remainder of the term; typical limits of two full terms, with certain transitional rules for members serving when the division becomes applicable.
• Compensation capped at no more than $1,000 per month plus approved personal expenses; entertainment or alcohol reimbursements are prohibited; all expenses must be itemized and publicly posted.
• All board members and employees must follow the State Ethics Law; no consultant or contractor may spend funds on a board member’s entertainment; board members cannot be elected officials.
• Any rate increase requires at least 30 days’ notice and a public hearing, with notice posted on the board’s website; the board remains subject to open meetings and related governance laws, plus mandated governance training every two years.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Water Works Boards