MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Robertson

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY ENTITLED THE "1999 MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION (MESC) BUILDING FUND"; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES PLACED IN THIS FUND WILL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTING A NEW OFFICE FACILITY FOR THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MESC BUILDING FUND MAY ALSO BE USED TO PURCHASE LAND FOR THE NEW OFFICE FACILITY IN THE EVENT THAT APPROPRIATE STATE-OWNED LAND CANNOT BE OBTAINED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUNDS TRANSFERRED BY THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION INTO THE "MESC BUILDING FUND" WILL TOTAL $9,000,000.00; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE DISCRETION OF DISBURSING THIS $9,000,000.00 INTO THE "MESC BUILDING FUND"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, ACTING THROUGH THE BUREAU OF BUILDING, GROUNDS AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SHALL HAVE THE DISCRETION TO DISBURSE MONIES DEPOSITED INTO THE "MESC BUILDING FUND" TO PAY FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW OFFICE FACILITY AS WELL AS ANY OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RELOCATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN THE LAND UPON WHICH THE NEW FACILITY IS BUILT BY ANY MANNER ALLOWED UNDER THE LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DONATE, TRANSFER, OR BY ANY OTHER LEGAL MEANS, CONVEY LAND TO THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION FOR RELOCATION PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "1999 Mississippi Employment Security Commission Building Fund" is hereby created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) The Mississippi Employment Security Commission shall have the discretion to determine the date when monies will be transferred into the fund as well as the amounts of money so transferred.

(c) Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(2) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property, to pay the costs of the following:

(a) Planning and constructing a new office facility for the Mississippi Employment Security Commission to be located within the city limits of Jackson, Mississippi.

(b) Providing for moving costs, re-establishment of computer networks, communication and other necessary expenses associated with the relocation of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission.

(c) Purchasing privately-owned land in the event that appropriate state-owned land cannot be obtained.

(3) Money deposited into the special fund shall not exceed the total amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000.00).

(4) Amounts deposited in such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs or projects described in subsection (2) of this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund 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 such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration or his designee.

SECTION 2. (1) The Mississippi Employment Security Commission shall have the authority to obtain the land upon which the new office facility will be constructed by any means allowed under the law, including, but not limited to, the following means:

(a) Purchasing privately owned land.

(b) Receiving, by grant or other type conveyance, state-owned land which is available and suitable for construction and which adequately meets the needs of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission.

(c) Exchanging or otherwise swapping the Mississippi Employment Security Commission's current headquarters building located at 1520 West Capitol Street in Jackson, Mississippi, for other suitable state- or privately-owned property.

(d) Receiving land by gift or donation.

(e) Obtaining land through a lease-purchase arrangement.

(f) Receiving land by any other means legally applicable.

(2) The State of Mississippi shall have the authority to donate, transfer, swap, or by any other legal means, convey land to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission for relocation purposes.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.