House Bill 1722

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, STATE AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OHR-O'KEEFE MUSEUM OF ART IN BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JACKSON ZOO; TO AMEND SECTIONS 210 THROUGH 226, CHAPTER 1, LAWS OF 2004 THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 3, CHAPTER 607, LAWS OF 2007, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF THE BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OR FINANCIAL JOURNAL WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-145, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTIONS 136 THROUGH 151, CHAPTER 1, LAWS OF 2004 THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 1, CHAPTER 363, LAWS OF 2008, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTARY RURAL FIRE TRUCK FUND AND THE RURAL FIRE TRUCK FUND; TO EXTEND UNTIL JULY 1, 2011, THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SUCH BONDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OR FINANCIAL JOURNAL WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW MUSEUM OF MISSISSIPPI HISTORY BUILDING; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF NEW CLASSROOMS AND RELATED FACILITIES AT THE STATE FIRE ACADEMY IN RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $20,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 65-37-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $1,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RURAL IMPACT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-303, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ABOLISH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND AND TRANSFER ANY MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN FUND; TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO COUNTIES AND INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITIES FOR COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT; TO EXTEND UNTIL JULY 1, 2012, THE PROVISION THAT AUTHORIZES THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE CERTAIN MONIES IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR ORDINARY AND NECESSARY GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE AUTHORITY; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM $105,000,000.00 TO $115,000,000.00 THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM; TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY CHAPTER 497, LAWS OF 2005, BE USED ONLY TO PROVIDE LOANS TO COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR REMEDIATION OF A BROWNFIELDS AGREEMENT SITE; TO DELETE PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE THAT 50% OF THE INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON THE ADDITIONAL BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED UNDER CHAPTER 497, LAWS OF 2005, BE DEPOSITED INTO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BROWNFIELDS SITE REMEDIATION GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-315, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF BONDS ISSUED FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OR FINANCIAL JOURNAL WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO PROVIDE FOR INCENTIVE PAYMENTS TO EXISTING INDUSTRIES FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED TWO YEARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE AMOUNT OF THE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PAYMENTS SHALL BE BASED ON THE WAGES AND TAXABLE BENEFITS OR THE AMOUNT OF STATE INCOME TAX WITHHELD FOR QUALIFIED JOBS CREATED; TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR SUCH PAYMENTS, A CERTAIN NUMBER OF JOBS MUST BE CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE EXISTING INDUSTRY; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY INTO WHICH SHALL BE DEPOSITED A CERTAIN PORTION OF THE WITHHOLDING TAXES PAID BY THE EXISTING INDUSTRY; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE SPECIAL FUND SHALL BE USED TO MAKE THE REQUIRED INCENTIVE PAYMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT CLAIMS FOR INCENTIVE PAYMENTS SHALL BE FILED WITH THE STATE TAX COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE TAX COMMISSION SHALL VERIFY THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE EXISTING INDUSTRY FOR THE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-312, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 57-73-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN BUSINESS ENTITIES THAT ACQUIRE A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE THAT HAS CEASED OPERATION AND LAID OFF ALL ITS EMPLOYEES, MAY CONTINUE OPERATION OF THE ENTERPRISE IN THE SAME OR A SIMILAR TYPE OF BUSINESS AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN JOBS TAX CREDITS; TO AMEND SECTION 57-93-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LOANS UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI EXISTING INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY LOAN PROGRAM TO BE UTILIZED BY EXISTING INDUSTRIES, COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE PURCHASE OR REFINANCING OF LAND, BUILDINGS OR EQUIPMENT; TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT LIMITS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF A LOAN UNDER SUCH PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTEREST RATES ON SUCH LOANS SHALL BE SET BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,000,000.00 FOR THE MISSISSIPPI EXISTING INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY LOAN FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 2, CHAPTER 580, LAWS OF 2007, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF A STATEWIDE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF THE BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OR FINANCIAL JOURNAL WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO AMEND SECTION 65-4-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AMEND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY ACT TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM HIGH ECONOMIC BENEFIT PROJECT TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF NEW INVESTMENT BY A PRIVATE COMPANY TO $70,000,000.00, AND TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "PRIVATE COMPANY" TO INCLUDE TOURISM PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; TO AMEND SECTION 65-4-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE BY $20,000,000.00 THE AMOUNT OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 65-4-29, 65-4-31 AND 65-4-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF THE BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OR FINANCIAL JOURNAL WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO AMEND SECTION 69-2-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM $28,000,000.00 TO $30,000,000.00 THE AMOUNT THAT MAY BE DRAWN FROM THE EMERGING CROPS FUND BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LOANS OR GRANTS TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING FINANCING FOR MINORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN OTHER BUSINESSES; TO AMEND SECTION 69-2-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE EMERGING CROPS FUND FROM $107,000,000.00 TO $109,000,000.00; TO AMEND SECTIONS 69-2-23, 69-2-25 AND 69-2-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS AND TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE NOTICE OF THE SALE OF THE BONDS BE PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPERS OR FINANCIAL JOURNALS WITH A LARGE NATIONAL CIRCULATION; TO ESTABLISH AN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN MAKING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO CERTAIN FACILITIES THAT CONVERT MISSISSIPPI FEEDSTOCK TO ANY FORM OF ENERGY THAT IS PRODUCED FOR RESALE OR IN SITE PREPARATION ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE ENTERPRISE OWNING OR OPERATING SUCH A FACILITY; TO CREATE THE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLVING LOAN FUND FROM WHICH LOANS FOR SUCH PURPOSES SHALL BE MADE TO COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND TO PROVIDE THAT LOAN REPAYMENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO SUCH FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT A COUNTY THAT RECEIVES A LOAN FROM THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND SHALL PLEDGE FOR REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN ANY PART OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ANNUAL TAX LOSS REIMBURSEMENT TO WHICH IT MAY BE ENTITLED; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY THAT RECEIVES A LOAN FROM THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND SHALL PLEDGE FOR REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN ANY PART OF THE SALES TAX REVENUE DISTRIBUTION TO WHICH IT MAY BE ENTITLED; TO PROVIDE THAT EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS WHICH ARE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED INDEBTEDNESS FOR PURPOSES OF ANY STATUTORY DEBT LIMITATION; TO GIVE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER THE PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR LOANS UNDER THE PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF THE COAHOMA COUNTY HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER LOCATED IN CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $5,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE SMALL MUNICIPALITIES AND LIMITED POPULATION COUNTIES FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS MAY BE UTILIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN COSTS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF THE MARITIME AND SEAFOOD INDUSTRY MUSEUM IN BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A BUILDING AND RELATED FACILITIES FOR THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY AND THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER IN HINDS COUNTY, MADISON COUNTY OR RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PORT OF GREENVILLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $850,000.00 TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 49-17-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE INTEREST AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON MONEY IN THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND TO BE UTILIZED TO PAY DEBT SERVICE ON THE BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY THIS ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE B.B. KING MUSEUM; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HATTIESBURG ZOO AT KAMPER PARK; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO TRANSFER CERTAIN STATE-OWNED PROPERTY TO JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY; TO AMEND SECTIONS 97 THROUGH 118, CHAPTER 1, LAWS OF 2004 THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, AS LAST AMENDED BY SENATE BILL NO. 3137, 2009 REGULAR SESSION, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY MAY BE USED; TO AMEND SECTION 5, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN MATCHING FUNDS BEFORE STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZED FOR THE SOUTHERN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER MAY BE ISSUED; TO EXTEND THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE SUCH BONDS UNTIL JULY 1, 2012; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 580, LAWS OF 2007, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 12, CHAPTER 506, LAWS OF 2008, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES MAY BE UTILIZED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Percy W. Watson

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 25

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

• Senate committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Mar 17

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 20 – Feb 25

1. Feb 20Referred to the House committee on Ways and Means
2. Feb 23Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Feb 24Read the third time in the House
4. Feb 25Amended in the House
5. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 25 – Mar 17

1. Feb 25Motion in the House to reconsider entered
2. Feb 26Reconsidered in the House
3. Amendment failed in the House
4. Passed the House as amended
5. Feb 27Sent to the Senate
6. Mar 2Referred to the Senate committee on Finance
7. Mar 12Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as amended
8. Mar 17Amended in the Senate
9. Passed the Senate as amended

Back in the House of Representatives Mar 18 – Apr 8

1. Mar 18Returned to the House to concur in the Senate's amendments
2. Mar 19Declined in the House to concur, and invited a conference
3. Mar 23Conferees named in the House: Watson, Banks and Ellis
4. Conferees named in the Senate: Kirby, Clarke and Hewes
5. Mar 24Conferees named in the House: Watson, Bailey and Ellis
6. Mar 25Conference report filed in the Senate
7. Conference report filed in the House
8. Mar 26Conference report adopted in the Senate
9. Conference report adopted in the House
10. Apr 8Enrolled bill signed in the House

To the Governor Apr 13 – Apr 17

1. Apr 13Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
2. Apr 17Approved by the Governor