House Bill 593

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE PEARL RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SHALL BE DISSOLVED AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SHALL BE THE AGENT-IN-FACT FOR THE DISTRICT FOR ALL PURPOSES AND THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE ALL OF THE AUTHORITY THAT WAS FORMERLY GRANTED TO THE DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO SETTLE ANY OUTSTANDING OPERATING ACCOUNTS OF THE DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE USE OF ALL FUNDS THAT WERE FORMERLY AVAILABLE TO THE DISTRICT AND THE NET PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF ANY PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE DISTRICT'S OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO ENGAGE ON A CONTRACT BASIS THE SERVICES OF ANY FORMER EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACT EMPLOYEE OF THE DISTRICT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO DISPOSE OF ANY PERSONALTY OR EQUIPMENT OF THE DISTRICT AND TO SETTLE ANY EXISTING LEASE OR LEASES OF THE DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO TRANSFER ANY REAL PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT TO THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THE PROPERTY LIES, PROVIDED THAT THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY AGREES, AS CONSIDERATION FOR THE PROPERTY BEING RECEIVED, TO ACCEPT THE TRANSFER AND ANY DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS APPURTENANT TO THE PROPERTY; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH REAL PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT THAT IS TRANSFERRED SHALL ALSO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY THAT ACCEPTS THE PROPERTY; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A COUNTY AND THE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTY CHOOSE NOT TO ACCEPT THE TRANSFER OF ANY REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE DISTRICT, THE COUNTY MAY MAKE A FINDING THAT THE PROPERTY WOULD BE SURPLUS TO THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS TO SELL THE SURPLUS PROPERTY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LIABILITY OF A COUNTY FOR ANY FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OR INDEBTEDNESS TO THE DISTRICT OCCURRING OR ACCRUING BEFORE THE DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT SHALL CONTINUE IN EXISTENCE AFTER THE DISTRICT IS DISSOLVED AND SHALL BE PAYABLE BY THE COUNTY TO THE DEPARTMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOWER PEARL RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT SHALL CONTINUE AS PER EXISTING AGREEMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE DISTRICT UNDER THE AGREEMENTS FOR THE PROJECT MAY BE ASSUMED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OR OTHER ENTITY AS THE DESIGNATED STATE ENTITY FOR THE CONTINUING OBLIGATION OF MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER CONTROL STRUCTURES AS SET FORTH IN THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE AUDITOR SHALL PERFORM OR HAVE PERFORMED A FINAL CLOSE-OUT AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE DISTRICT; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 51-11-1 THROUGH 51-11-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATE THE PEARL RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AND PRESCRIBE ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• John Read

  Sponsor

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

In the House of Representatives Jan 8 – Jan 25

1. Jan 8Referred to the House committee on Appropriations
2. Jan 24Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Jan 25Passed the House

In the Senate Jan 26 – Mar 5

1. Jan 26Sent to the Senate
2. Feb 9Referred to the Senate committees on Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency and on Appropriations
3. Feb 22Reported from AC to AP in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
4. Feb 27Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
5. Mar 5Passed the Senate

To the Governor Mar 6 – Mar 15

1. Mar 6Returned to the House for enrolling
2. Mar 7Enrolled bill signed in the House
3. Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
4. Mar 15Approved by the Governor