House Bill 1829

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 936, LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAWS OF 2002, TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, TO NEGOTIATE WITH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN RAIL PROPERTIES OR FACILITIES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 936, Local and Private Laws of 2002, is amended as follows:

Section 1. As used in this act:

(a) "City" means the City of Greenwood, Mississippi.

(b) "Railroad property and facilities" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 19-29-5.

Section 2. The governing authorities of the city are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to construct, acquire, maintain, operate and provide railroad properties and facilities within or without the corporate limits of the city and to acquire suitable land for the location of such railroad properties and facilities.

Section 3. (1) The governing authorities of the city are authorized and empowered to lease, rent, sell or exchange any or all railroad properties and facilities acquired under the provisions of this act to any person, firm, association or corporation for railroad or industrial purposes, under such terms and conditions as the governing authorities deem proper, and any such disposition may be made at public or private sale. In disposing of such railroad property and facilities under this act, any provisions of Section 21-17-1 regarding the disposition of municipal property shall not apply.

(2) The governing authorities of the city are authorized and empowered, in their discretion to sell, lease or rent to the Columbus & Greenville Railroad properties acquired under this act in exchange for railroad properties and facilities of the Columbus & Greenville Railroad located within the corporate limits of the city.

(3) The governing authorities of the city are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to negotiate with public or private entities, including, but not limited to, the Columbus & Greenville Railway Company, Inc., or the Canadian National Railroad, for the construction of any rail properties or facilities authorized by this act when the governing authorities of the city find that, because of the nature of the project or any portion of the project, or because of special circumstances with respect to the project or any portion of the project, it would better serve the public interest or more effectively achieve the purposes of this act, to enter into such contracts by negotiations.

Section 4. The city may accept federal funds or funds from the Mississippi Department of Transportation to carry out the provisions of this act. All federal funds or funds from the Mississippi Department of Transportation received under the provisions of this act shall be expended for the purposes set forth in the funding agreement.

Section 5. For the purpose of providing funds to defray the expense of acquiring railroad properties and facilities and the expense of improving such property, the governing authorities of the city are authorized and empowered to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed an aggregate principal amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).

Section 6. All bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall be issued and the proceeds managed in accordance with the provisions of Section 21-33-301 et seq.

Section 7. This act, without reference to any other statute not referred to herein, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the borrowing of money and the issuing of bonds as authorized by the governing authorities and shall be construed as an additional and alternate method therefor.

Section 8. Any bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall be validated in the manner provided by law.

Section 9. No member of the Legislature, elected official or appointed official, or any partner or associate of any member of the Legislature, elected official or appointed official shall derive any income from the issuance of any bonds under this act.

Section 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.