House approves bill to restructure Birmingham Water Works Board after hours of debate

The Alabama House of Representatives voted to approve Senate Bill 330, a measure that restructures governance of the Birmingham Water Works Board and creates a regional waterworks board covering multiple counties, after extended debate and several failed amendments.

Supporters described the legislation as a step toward regional coordination and improved service. ‘‘This bill is setting up a regional water works board that covers 5 counties, and it will have 7 new directors,’’ sponsor Representative Kevin Karnes said, calling the bill ‘‘the miracle on Goat Hill’’ and asking members to consider the regional scale of water customers and infrastructure.

Opponents from Jefferson County said the measure removes local decision-making and bypasses the Jefferson County delegation. ‘‘This prioritization isn't just a procedural, but it represents a fundamental assault on local governance,’’ Representative Rafferty said, arguing the bill circumvents the local delegation and risks shifting control away from Birmingham, a majority-Black city.

Why it matters

The bill changes who appoints board directors and how the board is constituted. Under the version described on the floor, the regional board will have seven directors. The sponsor outlined the intended appointment structure as: one appointment by the mayor of Birmingham, one by the Birmingham City Council, one by the president of the…