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Bill

HB 1158

Board of Supervisors; may designate certain persons as hearing officers for delinquent solid waste fees.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lee Yancey

Allows Mississippi county boards to appoint hearing officers to adjudicate delinquent solid waste fee disputes, creating administrative due process before enforcement.

Died In Committee
#countyaffairs
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Bill Summary · HB 1158

Legislative bill overview

HB 1158 would authorize county Boards of Supervisors in Mississippi to appoint hearing officers to adjudicate disputes over delinquent solid waste fees. This would create a formal administrative hearing process for residents and businesses challenging unpaid waste management charges before potential enforcement actions.

Why is this important

Solid waste management is a critical municipal service, and fee collection directly impacts county budgets and service provision. Establishing a formal hearing process provides due process protections for property owners while giving counties a structured mechanism to resolve disputes and collect revenues without litigation.

Potential points of contention

  • Procedural consistency: Without statewide standards, different counties could implement vastly different hearing procedures, creating inconsistent protections across the state
  • Hearing officer qualifications: The bill doesn't specify training, qualifications, or independence requirements for appointed officers, raising concerns about fairness and conflicts of interest
  • Cost-benefit analysis: Creating a new administrative process may increase county expenses; unclear whether fee recovery benefits justify implementation costs
  • Appeals process: The bill doesn't establish what recourse exists if residents disagree with hearing officer decisions, potentially limiting meaningful due process

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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