MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands

By: Representatives Peranich, Banks, Brown, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Denny, Ellington, Evans, Fleming, Holland, Holloway, Middleton, Montgomery (74th), Reeves, Robinson (63rd), Wallace, Weathersby, Whittington

House Bill 1291

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI FAIR COMMISSION TO LEASE CERTAIN STATE-OWNED REAL PROPERTY TO A PRIVATE COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS ARENA; TO AMEND SECTION 69-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Fair Commission, acting through the Department of Finance and Administration, in its discretion, is authorized to enter into a lease agreement with Mississippi Indoor Sports, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company, or its designee, in regard to the granting of a property interest to Mississippi Indoor Sports, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company, or its designee, in the following described state-owned real property located in Hinds County, Mississippi, for the purpose of the construction of a multipurpose sports arena:

A parcel of land consisting of approximately four (4) acres located in what is commonly known as the "Mississippi State Fairgrounds," the Mississippi State Fairgrounds being located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 2 and the Southeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 5 North, Range 1 East, First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

(2) The lease authorized in this section, may be for such consideration as determined appropriate by the Mississippi Fair Commission, acting through the Department of Finance and Administration, and may be for a term not to exceed fifty (50) years.

(3) In and for the consideration to be provided under the lease, the Mississippi Fair Commission, acting through the Department of Finance and Administration, in its discretion, is authorized to grant, as part of and for the term of the lease, to Mississippi Indoor Sports, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company, or its designee, one or more easements for vehicle and pedestrian ingress and egress, for vehicle parking and for such other purposes necessary and appropriate for the construction, operation and use of the multipurpose sports arena, all on such terms and conditions determined to be appropriate by the Mississippi Fair Commission, acting through the Department of Finance and Administration, and on and over the following described state-owned real property located in Hinds County, Mississippi:

The land commonly known as the "Mississippi State Fairgrounds," the Mississippi State Fairgrounds being located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 2 and the Southeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 5 North, Range 1 East, First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

(4) The Mississippi Fair Commission, acting through the Department of Finance and Administration, in its discretion, is authorized to enter into all other agreements as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with any financing by Mississippi Indoor Sports, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company, or its designee, of the multipurpose sports arena.

(5) The provisions of Sections 69-5-11 through 69-5-27, concerning the role of the State Building Commission and the State Bond Commission in financing, construction and improvement of buildings on the state fairgrounds, shall not apply to the financing, refinancing, construction, repair or improvement of the multipurpose sports arena.

SECTION 2. Section 69-5-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-5-3. (1) The Mississippi Fair Commission shall set up rules and regulations consistent with the law governing the distribution of state monies for premiums or awards. It will be the duty of the commission to meet at the call of the chairman, at least twice each year, to approve premium lists or awards, and give out rules governing participants in state premium money in Mississippi. Said commission may invite the presidents of the various district livestock shows before said commission when determining policies affecting district livestock shows.

(2) The Mississippi Fair Commission is hereby authorized to accept money or funds donated to or to be awarded as prizes under regulations promulgated by the commission.

(3) The Mississippi Fair Commission shall have charge of designated state lands and buildings, and have full power and authority in perfecting plans and causing to be held an agricultural and industrial exposition annually, and other events from time to time on said lands and located for the promotion of Mississippi agriculture and industry.

(4) The Mississippi Fair Commission is hereby authorized to employ an attorney as prescribed in Section 69-1-14.

(5) The Mississippi Fair Commission may take any action authorized in Section 1 of House Bill No. 1291, 2000 Regular Session.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.