MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Holden, Cameron, Coleman (65th), Compretta, Davis (7th), Ellis, Fredericks, Green (34th), Grist, Guice, Howell, Miller, Moak, Reynolds, Taylor, Watson, Woods, Young

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF GOLF COURSES AND RELATED FACILITIES AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS IN THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Commission" means the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(b) "Department" means the Department of Finance and Administration.

SECTION 2. (1) Before the issuance of any of the bonds herein authorized, the commission shall forward to the State Bond Commission its resolution declaring the necessity for the issuance of general obligation bonds as authorized by this act for the purposes set forth herein. The State Bond Commission is authorized and empowered, upon receipt of the aforesaid resolution, at one time or from time to time, to declare the necessity for issuance of, and to sell and issue general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in the principal amount requested, not to exceed an aggregate principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), for the purposes set forth herein.

(2) Out of the total amount of bonds authorized to be issued, funds shall be allocated, as follows:

(a) (i) Development and construction at Hugh White State Park of the following: an eighteen-hole golf course, a driving range, practice areas, a clubhouse facility which shall include service of food and beverages, a cart storage facility, maintenance areas and equipment, executive cabins to be used at the park in conjunction with the golf course, any other appurtenances related to the operation of such golf facilities and all furnishings and equipment $5,000,000.00

(ii) The commission shall begin the planning and design for the golf course and all related appurtenances described in this paragraph (a) in 1997, and the bonds authorized for such projects may not be issued before such time.

(b) All clubhouse facilities, cart storage facilities, maintenance areas and equipment, cabins and any other appurtenances related to the operation of the golf courses and all furnishings and equipment described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) shall be of the same design, size, and specifications as those at the Quail Hollow Golf Course at John Kyle State Park.

(3) All contracts for construction and contracts for professional services performed or related to the projects authorized under this act shall be advertised, bid and accepted by the commission in accordance with the same procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the purchase of commodities and contracts for public construction under Section 31-7-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. Upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution of the commission declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the bonds authorized by this act, the State Bond Commission is authorized and empowered, at one time or from time to time, to declare the necessity for issuance of, and to sell and issue general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in the principal amount requested, not to exceed an aggregate principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), for the purposes hereinabove set forth. The State Bond Commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this act, from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds.

SECTION 4. The principal of and interest on such bonds shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limit set forth in Section 7 of this act), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission.

SECTION 5. The bonds authorized by Section 3 of this act shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds, who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 6. All bonds and interest coupons issued under this act, have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Mississippi Uniform Commercial Code and in exercising the powers granted by this act, the State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Mississippi Uniform Commercial Code. Such bonds and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation within the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 7. The State Bond Commission shall act as the issuing agent for such bonds, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The State Bond Commission may pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds. The State Bond Commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually, except that the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bond shall be published at least one (1) time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the State Bond Commission.

The State Bond Commission, when issuing any bonds under this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

SECTION 8. The bonds issued under this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is hereby irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

SECTION 9. The State Treasurer is authorized to certify to the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the executive director is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

SECTION 10. Such general obligation bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.

SECTION 11. The bonds authorized under this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by the aforesaid statute shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

SECTION 12. The proceeds of the bonds authorized in this act shall be deposited in a special fund created in the State Treasury to be known as the "State Park Golf Course Construction and Development Fund." The proceeds of such bonds shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds. The costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds shall be disbursed by warrant upon requisition of the State Bond Commission, signed by the Governor. The expenditure of the remaining money shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration.

SECTION 13. Any holder of bonds issued under this act, or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

SECTION 14. All bonds issued under this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

SECTION 15. This act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.