JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The proposal to create a Mississippi Capitol Region Utility has died in the Mississippi Legislature after Tuesday’s committee deadline.

The bill would have placed the City of Jackson’s water system under the control of a nine-member appointed board.

This was the second consecutive year that this bill has been brought up, but the proposal had considerably less support among House leadership this time around.

The bill would have had the governor, lieutenant governor, the Jackson City Council, and the mayor of Jackson appoint the board members. Faith leaders, local business leaders, and Jackson residents would be among those appointed, according to the bill.

Rep. Chris Bell (D-District 65) said he’s happy to see it now go through and hopes it stays that way.

“Nothing is dead around here until sine die. So, we are vigilant and hopeful that we won’t see this bill again, and it won’t come up in any code sections. But we’re excited about that. The author of the bill has his own issues in his own county dealing with the same problem, water. So, I think the author of that bill should focus all his attention on his own county and the cities and municipalities that he represents and stay out of Jackson’s business,” said Bell.

State Senator David Parker (R-District 2) authored the bill. He did not reply to several requests for comment.