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Bill

HB 937

Boards of supervisors; may designate certain individuals to serve as hearing officer in disputes regarding delinquent solid waste fees.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Byrd and 3 co-sponsors

Allows Mississippi county boards to appoint hearing officers to resolve solid waste fee disputes, streamlining collection enforcement and reducing administrative burden on boards.

Died In Committee
#countyaffairs
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Bill Summary · HB 937

Legislative bill overview

HB 937 allows Mississippi county boards of supervisors to designate individuals to serve as hearing officers in disputes over unpaid solid waste collection fees. This streamlines the dispute resolution process by enabling counties to appoint qualified hearing officers rather than requiring full board involvement in each fee dispute case.

Why is this important

Solid waste management is a critical county service, and unpaid fees can strain municipal budgets and create collection inconsistencies. Establishing a dedicated hearing officer process could reduce administrative burden on board meetings while providing property owners a formal mechanism to contest fees they believe are incorrect or unfairly assessed.

Potential points of contention

  • Due process concerns: Questions about whether designated hearing officers (potentially county employees) provide sufficiently impartial review compared to elected board members, and what appeal mechanisms exist
  • Fee collection vs. fairness: Counties may prioritize fee collection efficiency over thorough dispute consideration, potentially disadvantaging residents who cannot afford lengthy appeals
  • Lack of statewide standards: The bill grants broad discretion to individual boards without specifying hearing officer qualifications, procedures, evidence standards, or transparency requirements

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

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