A bill that would overhaul the governance structure of the Birmingham Water Works Board cleared a key House committee Tuesday and now awaits a final vote in the Alabama House of Representatives.

SB330, sponsored by State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook), would dramatically reshape the Water Works Board, reducing the City of Birmingham’s control and converting the board into a regional entity representing multiple counties served by the system. The measure passed the House Commerce and Small Business Committee after a public hearing and committee discussion.

The legislation comes in response to years of complaints about customer service, billing inaccuracies, water quality concerns, and a backlog of infrastructure investment. Supporters argue that the changes are necessary to professionalize board operations, improve accountability, and ensure that the entire customer base — not just the City of Birmingham — has appropriate representation.

Under the bill, the current nine-member board would be restructured into a regional board. Birmingham’s mayor and city council would each appoint one member, while Blount and Shelby counties would gain seats alongside appointees from the governor and lieutenant governor. The measure also sets new professional qualifications for board members, imposes ethics and training requirements, and mandates more rigorous financial reporting.

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During Tuesday’s committee hearing, opponents, including current Birmingham Water Works officials and Democratic lawmakers, argued that the bill amounts to a state takeover of a locally controlled utility and could jeopardize ongoing projects, including major bond-funded upgrades.

Proponents, including Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills), defended the bill as a long-overdue reform to address systemic issues, citing repeated complaints from customers across Jefferson and surrounding counties.

“What we have is a system that is broken” Roberts told committee members during closing remarks. “All this is what I think leads to where we are: trying to put together a great board who will make the right decisions.”

SB330 has already passed the Senate and is now poised for final passage by the full House. If approved, it would mark one of the most significant structural changes to the Birmingham Water Works in decades.

Today is day 26 of the legislative session. There are four legislative days remaining.

Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].