SB195 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Jackson Co., water authority, operation of board, reports to co. commission, replacement of board members, subject to Open Meetings Act, Sec. 45-36-252.03 am'd.

Summary

SB195 sets up the Jackson County Water Authority, outlines who can appoint its board, requires regular reports to the county, and makes the board follow open meetings rules.

What This Bill Does

It creates a five-member water authority board with specific initial term lengths assigned to different appointing bodies, then four-year terms for future terms. It allows vacancies and removals by the appointing authority for defined reasons and requires the board to elect officers and report to the Jackson County Commission twice a year on finances, projects, service gaps, and infrastructure needs, while following the Open Meetings Act. It also allows the county to provide office space and staff to support the authority.

Who It Affects

• Residents and property owners in the Jackson County Water Authority service area, who will be governed by a formally structured board, have greater transparency through open meetings and regular status reports on water projects and service.
• Jackson County government and the appointing authorities (the County Commission, the state senator from Jackson County, and the House members representing Jackson County) who appoint and remove board members and oversee governance and reporting requirements.

Key Provisions

• The board shall have five directors with initial terms: one appointed by the Jackson County Commission for 2 years; two appointed by the state senator for 3 years; and two appointed by the House members representing Jackson County for 4 years.
• After the initial terms, directors serve 4-year terms; vacancies are filled by the same appointing authority that made the initial appointment; unexpired terms may be filled if a member dies, becomes disabled, resigns, or is impeached.
• Directors must be qualified electors, residents, and owners of real property in the part of the service area within Jackson County; officers must meet these qualifications and not hold conflicting public roles.
• Directors may be impeached and removed (as allowed by the Alabama Constitution) and may also be removed by their appointing authority for not meeting qualifications, missing a majority of meetings, being unable to attend, or having a conflict of interest.
• The board shall elect a vice chair and a secretary-treasurer, and after an initial 3-year term, the chairshall be elected to a 2-year term.
• The Jackson County Commission may provide office space, staff, and supplies for the authority.
• The board is subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act, ensuring meetings and actions are open to the public.
• The board must semiannually report to the Jackson County Commission with financial statements, project status, service gaps and plans, and the status and needs of water infrastructure.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jackson County