US EditionAlabama House passes Senate Bill 330, reshaping the Birmingham Water Works Board
- The Alabama House passed Senate Bill 330 on April 30, 2025, in Montgomery to restructure the Birmingham Water Works Board governance from a city-controlled to a statewide-appointed board.
- Lawmakers affiliated with the Republican Party from the suburbs surrounding Birmingham introduced the legislation, highlighting issues such as customer dissatisfaction with water quality and pricing, repeated increases in rates, and outdated infrastructure as primary motivations for the proposed change.
- SB330 shifts the board from nine members with a majority appointed by Birmingham officials to an eight-member statewide board including representatives from surrounding counties like Blount and Shelby.
- The bill passed the House along party lines with a 66-27 vote, after unanimous Senate approval, and will now await Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature for enactment.
- Opponents view the bill as a political power grab that diminishes Birmingham’s majority-Black residents' influence, while supporters argue it will improve efficiency and prevent crises seen in other cities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Alabama House passes bill to reshape the Birmingham Water Works Board
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed SB330. This contentious bill overhauls the governance structure of the Birmingham Water Works Board, shifting control from the City of Birmingham to a newly created statewide board. The measure passed the House 66-27 after more than two hours of debate. It had previously cleared the Alabama Senate unanimously. The bill now awaits Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature. Under the new law, the BWWB will be restr…
BWWB Board Revamp Passes Legislature - BirminghamWatch
Birmingham Water Works Board office. (Photo by Olivia McMurrey) Your support helps us grow and sustain a newsroom for the City Built to Change the South. Donate today to help Birmingham stay informed. The Alabama Legislature on Thursday approved a bill to revamp the Birmingham Water Works Board and reduce the city’s influence over the utility. The bill has gone to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk and becomes effective immediately if she signs it. “At its co…
Bill overhauling Alabama's largest water utility heads to Ivey's desk despite local outcry
A bill that would strip the state’s largest city of power over its local water board and give more control to the governor and surrounding suburbs is heading to the governor's desk. The bill reignited a decades-long, polarizing debate on…
Local 3 News
Bill overhauling Alabama's largest water utility heads to governor's desk despite local outcry
A bill that would strip the state’s largest city of power over its local water board and give more control to the governor and surrounding suburbs is heading to the governor's desk. The bill reignited a decades-long, polarizing debate on…
Bill overhauling Alabama’s largest water utility heads to governor’s desk despite local outcry
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama legislators passed a bill on Thursday that would strip Birmingham of control over the state's largest water board and transfer power to the governor and surrounding suburbs, reigniting a decades-long, polarizing debate.
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