MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Chaney

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NETWORK REVOLVING FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BACKBONE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STATE AGENCIES AND EDUCATION ENTITIES; TO PROVIDE THAT DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE FUND SHALL BE PURSUANT TO LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOND COMMISSION TO GRANT A NONINTEREST-BEARING LOAN FOR $1.8 MILLION TO THE FUND; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO CHARGE FEES TO USER AGENCIES AND EDUCATION ENTITIES AND TO REQUIRE SUCH FEES TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE FUND; TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO INCLUDE A REQUEST FOR THEIR ESTIMATED FEES UNDER THIS ACT IN THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET REQUESTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 25-53-112, Mississippi Code of 1972:

25-53-112. (1) There is established within the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the Mississippi Information Technology Network Revolving Fund. The fund is established for the purpose of developing and maintaining a statewide telecommunications backbone infrastructure for all state agencies and education entities. The board of the MDITS shall establish policies and procedures for the administration of the Mississippi Information Technology Network Revolving Fund.

(2) All disbursements from the Mississippi Information Technology Network Revolving Fund shall be made pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature. All interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The Bond Commission may grant a noninterest-bearing loan to the Mississippi Information Technology Network Revolving Fund from the State Treasurer's General Fund/Special Fund Pool in an amount not to exceed One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,800,000.00).

(4) The MDITS shall charge reasonable fees to state education entities and agencies using the statewide telecommunications backbone infrastructure. The amounts of the fees shall be set by the board of the MDITS upon recommendation of the executive director. All fees collected for the use of the statewide telecommunications backbone infrastructure shall be paid into the Mississippi Information Technology Network Revolving Fund for carrying out the purposes of this section.

(5) Each state agency shall include in its annual budget request a request for funds for the payment of the fees the agency will be charged by the MDITS under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.