MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Watson, Reeves

House Bill 1743

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND STATE AGENCIES; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A COOPERATIVE DATA CENTER AND A BUILDING TO HOUSE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A STATEWIDE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM; TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED DURING CERTAIN STATE FISCAL YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT A CERTAIN PORTION OF THE MONIES EXPENDED FOR SUCH PURPOSES DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR MUST BE EXPENDED WITH COMPANIES THAT ARE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A STADIUM ON THE CAMPUS OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 3 THROUGH 18, CHAPTER 541, LAWS OF 2001, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 9, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS; TO AMEND SECTION 39-11-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO AND TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THE PROVISION WHICH PROVIDES THAT MONIES IN THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS WHICH ARE DERIVED FROM PROCEEDS OF BONDS ISSUED AFTER A CERTAIN DATE MAY BE USED TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN COSTS INCURRED BY THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE RELATED TO PROJECTS FOR WHICH GRANT FUNDS ARE PROVIDED FROM THE USE OF PROCEEDS FROM SUCH BONDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING AND MUSEUM CONSULTANTS FOR THE JOHN C. ROBINSON MISSISSIPPI AVIATION MUSEUM IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 17-23-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT A COUNTY MAY RECEIVE UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLEMENTARY RURAL FIRE TRUCK ACQUISITION; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA BUILDING AT HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTIONS 97 THROUGH 118, LAWS OF 2004 THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 13, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BONDS AUTHORIZED FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY; TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH CERTAIN BOND PROCEEDS MAY BE USED AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-145, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM SHALL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY REGARDING THE MUSEUM; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000,000.00 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM; TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER 14, LAWS OF 2005 FIFTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, TO REVISE THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR WHICH THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY EXTEND LOANS MADE UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI DISASTER SMALL BUSINESS BRIDGE LOAN ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

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

(a) "Accreted value" of any bond means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2007 Capital Improvements Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING............ $ 2,683,775.00

Jackson State University................... $ 2,683,775.00

Furnishing and equipping of the

School of Engineering......$ 2,000,000.00

Repair, renovation,

construction, furnishing and

equipping of the E-City

Center Building............$ 683,775.00

STATE AGENCIES............................. $ 64,275,500.00

Department of Human Services............... $ 7,750,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities

at the Columbia Training

School and the Oakley Training

School.....................$ 7,750,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. $ 1,500,000.00

Repair, renovation, furnishing

and equipping of facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of dams, spillways

and infrastructure.........$ 1,500,000.00

Department of Mental Health................. $ 29,925,500.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a new maintenance

compound and related facilities

at Mississippi State

Hospital...................$ 2,300,000.00

Repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of water system

and related facilities at

Boswell Regional Center....$ 1,562,500.00

Repair, renovation and

replacement of cafeteria

at East Mississippi

State Hospital.............$ 6,263,000.00

Demolition, renovation and

replacement of laundry

facilities at East

Mississippi State

Hospital...................$ 3,300,000.00

Construction, furnishing

and equipping of a fifty-bed

receiving unit at South

Mississippi State

Hospital...................$ 6,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing

and equipping of a fifty-bed

receiving unit at North

Mississippi State

Hospital...................$ 6,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a crisis intervention

mental health facility in

Marshall County............$ 1,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of two (2) intermediate

care facilities for the mentally

retarded (community group homes)

for the Department of

Mental Health in Laurel,

Mississippi................$ 2,000,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration.... $ 5,600,000.00

Repair and renovation of the

New Capitol..................$ 1,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities

of the Mississippi Schools

for the Blind and Deaf.......$ 3,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of the Mississippi

Industries for the Blind

building and facilities in

Jackson, Mississippi.........$ 1,600,000.00

Department of Archives and History.......... $ 10,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of the New Museum

of Mississippi History

building.....................$10,000,000.00

Mississippi Authority for Educational Television......... $ 4,500,000.00

Replacement and upgrade of

radio transmitters and

antennas and related

facilities...................$ 3,500,000.00

Upgrade of microwave system

and related facilities.......$ 1,000,000.00

Department of Corrections................... $ 5,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation and improvement of

infrastructure at the State

Penitentiary at Parchman.....$ 2,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement and

improvement of infrastructure

at the Central Mississippi

Correctional Facility in

Rankin County................$ 2,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement and

improvement of infrastructure

at the South Mississippi

Correctional Institution

at Leakesville...............$ 1,000,000.00

TOTAL............................................. $ 66,959,275.00

(b) (i) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(ii) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this subsection. 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 the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(d) Any amounts allocated to an agency or institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency or institution of higher learning that are described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be used for general repairs and renovations at the agency or institution of higher learning to which such amount is allocated.

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(4) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. 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 limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, 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 commission.

(5) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the 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 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 their delivery 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.

(6) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(7) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, 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 commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The 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 the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or 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 commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, 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.

(8) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is 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 subsection.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(10) The bonds authorized under this section 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 section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(11) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section 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 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 such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(12) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section 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 under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(13) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section 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.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(16) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; 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.

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

SECTION 2. Section 1, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, is amended as follows:

Section 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2006 Capital Improvements Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

Alcorn State University..................... $ 2,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

dining facility..............$ 2,000,000.00

Jackson State University.................... $ 1,600,000.00

Phase II of structure,

repair and renovation

of John W. Dixon Hall........$ 1,600,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University......... $ 2,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

the business school..........$ 2,000,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration.... $ 18,300,000.00

Completion of the

Sillers/Justice block........$18,300,000.00

Mississippi Department of Information

Technology Services....................... $ 23,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a cooperative

data center and a building to

house the Mississippi Department

of Information Technology Services

and related tenant build-out

and moving expenses..........$23,500,000.00

TOTAL....................................... $ 47,400,000.00

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 3. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "Statewide Wireless Communications System Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Wireless Communication Commission created in Section 25-53-171, to provide funds for the construction, maintenance and operation of a statewide wireless communications system, including, but not limited to, design and other engineering services, purchase of equipment, purchase and lease of real property, rent or lease of tower space, personnel and other associated project costs.

(iii) In making expenditures of monies in the special fund, at least twenty percent (20%) of the monies expended for the purposes described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a) during any fiscal year shall be expended with companies that are small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 USCS 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; except that women shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for the purposes of this subparagraph (iii). The purpose of the minimum expenditures requirement of this subparagraph (iii) is to attempt to maximize access to federal funds that may be made available for the purposes described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a).

(iv) In addition to the requirements of subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (a), the Wireless Communication Commission, when awarding contracts for such purposes, shall exhaust all efforts to contract with businesses that are domiciled in the State of Mississippi, provided that the minimum requirements of subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (a) are satisfied.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(3) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsection (2) of this section. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Wireless Communication Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Wireless Communication Commission shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000.00); provided however, that: (a) not more than Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) of bonds may be issued during state fiscal year 2007; (b) not more than Sixty-five Million Dollars ($65,000,000.00) of bonds may be issued during state fiscal year 2008; (c) not more than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) of bonds may be issued during state fiscal year 2009; (d) not more than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) of bonds may be issued during state fiscal year 2010; and (e) not more than Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) of bonds may be issued during state fiscal year 2011. In addition, the amount of bonds authorized to be issued under this section shall be reduced by the amount of any federal funds made available for the purposes described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 4. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "Jackson State University Stadium Construction Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of designing, preplanning and constructing a stadium on the campus of Jackson State University.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 5. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2007 Public School Improvements Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the State Department of Education, to provide funds to school districts in the state for the purposes described in Section 37-61-33(2)(a), (b) and (c), Mississippi Code of 1972. Monies in the fund shall be distributed by the State Department of Education to the school districts in the state in the proportion that the average daily attendance of each school district bears to the average daily attendance of all school districts within the state.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the State Department of Education under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 6. Sections 3 through 18, Chapter 541, Laws of 2001, as amended by Chapter 540, Laws of 2002, as amended by Chapter 519, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Section 9, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, is amended as follows:

Section 3. As used in Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity;

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi; and

Section 4. (1) The Mississippi Arts Commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the grant program authorized in Section 2 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Arts Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Mississippi Arts Commission shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not exceed Twenty-two Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($22,200,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deposited into the Building Fund for the Arts created pursuant to Section 2 of this act. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 5. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act 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 limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, 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 commission.

Section 6. The bonds authorized by Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the 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 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 their delivery 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 7. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 8. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, 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 commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The 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 the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds 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 published or 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 commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of 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 9. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of 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 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 10. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 2 of this act. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this act, the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 11. The bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act 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 Sections 3 through 18 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 12. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of 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 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 such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 13. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of 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 under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 3 through 18 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 14. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of 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. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 16. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 17. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of 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 18. Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 7. Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

39-11-13. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "Building Fund for the Arts" is 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. The fund shall consist of any money designated for deposit therein from any source, including, but not limited to, any state general obligation bonds issued for the purposes described in this section. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Mississippi Arts Commission, to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and units of local government to pay the costs of:

(i) Repair, upgrading, expansion, renovation or enhancement of existing buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities;

(ii) Construction of new buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities; or

(iii) The development, construction, equipping and furnishing of an entertainment and film center and museum and completion of a sound stage project.

(c) The entity to which such grants are made shall provide matching funds from local, federal or private sources equal to forty percent (40%) of the proposed project cost in order to be eligible for a grant under this section.

(d) The maximum aggregate amount of monies in the special fund that may be used to provide grant funds to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), and no monies in the special fund may be used to provide grant funds under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection after July 1, 2003. The maximum aggregate amount of grant funds that may be provided to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection during a fiscal year shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of Chapter 541, Laws of 2001, as amended by Chapter 540, Laws of 2002, as amended by Chapter 519, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, as amended by Section 6 of House Bill No. ____, 2007 Regular Session, and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Mississippi Arts Commission shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(b) Monies in the special fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued after April 9, 2002, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Arts Commission in providing assistance directly related to a project described in subsection (1) of this section for which grant funds are provided under this section from the use of proceeds of such bonds. Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Arts Commission. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects. This paragraph (b) shall be repealed from and after July 1, 2008.

(3) The Mississippi Arts Commission is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of money deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration upon request of the Mississippi Arts Commission, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his or her designee.

(4) The Mississippi Arts Commission shall adopt necessary rules and regulations to govern the administration of the program described in subsection (1) of this section including, but not limited to, rules and regulations governing applications for grants and rules and regulations providing for the distribution of grant funds. The Mississippi Arts Commission shall comply with the provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

SECTION 8. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the John C. Robinson "Brown Condor" Association to pay the costs of architectural planning and museum consultants for the John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum in Gulfport, Mississippi.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 9. Section 17-23-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

17-23-11. (1) There is established a supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program to be administered by the Department of Insurance for the purpose of assisting counties and municipalities in the acquisition of fire trucks. The supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program is in addition to the rural fire truck acquisition assistance program established in Section 17-23-1 or any other program by which counties and municipalities acquire fire trucks.

(2) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Supplementary Rural Fire Truck Fund" which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner, and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Monies in the fund shall be used for the purpose of assisting counties and municipalities in the acquisition of fire trucks. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a 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.

(3) (a) A county that meets the requirements provided herein may receive an amount of not more than Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per fire truck. Monies distributed under this section shall be expended only for the purchase of new fire trucks and such trucks must meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards in the 1900 series.

(b) The board of supervisors of the county shall submit its request for the receipt of monies to the Department of Insurance. A committee composed of the Commissioner of Insurance, the State Fire Coordinator, the Director of the Rating Bureau and the Director of the State Fire Academy shall review the requests by the boards of supervisors and shall determine whether the county or municipality for which the board of supervisors has requested a truck meets the requirements of eligibility under this section.

(i) A county or municipality must pledge to set aside or dedicate each year as matching funds, for a period not to extend over ten (10) years, local funds in an amount equal to or not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the amount of monies for which it is requesting distribution from the Supplementary Rural Fire Truck Fund, which pledged monies may be derived from local ad valorem tax authorized by law or from any other funds available to the county or municipality, except for those funds received by municipalities or counties from the Municipal Fire Protection Fund or the County Volunteer Fire Department Fund, as defined in Sections 83-1-37 and 83-1-39.

(ii) A municipality must provide adequate documentation of its contract with the county that requires the municipality to provide fire protection in rural areas. The term "rural areas" means any area within the county located outside the boundaries of an incorporated municipality or any incorporated municipality with a population of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or less.

(iii) A county or a municipality, designated by the county, must have exhausted all rounds of applications for fire trucks available to it under Section 17-23-1.

(d) The Department of Insurance shall maintain an accurate record of all monies distributed to counties and municipalities and the number of fire trucks purchased and the cost for each fire truck, such records to be kept separate from other records of the Department of Insurance; notify counties and municipalities of the supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program and the requirements for them to become eligible to participate; adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and desirable to implement the provisions of this section; and file with the Legislature a report detailing how monies made available under this chapter were distributed and spent during the preceding portion of the fiscal year in each county and municipality, the number of fire trucks purchased, the counties and municipalities making such purchases and the cost of each fire truck purchased.

SECTION 10. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "Hinds Community College FFA Building Repair and Renovation Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to assist in paying the costs of repair and renovation of the Future Farmers of America building at Hinds Community College.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 11. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2007 Mississippi Children's Museum Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs described in subsection (3)(a) of this section.

(3) (a) Upon the receipt of matching funds or verification that the matching funds described in this paragraph are forthcoming, the commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in an amount not to exceed Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,300,000.00) to provide funds for the: (a) repair, renovation, remodeling, equipping, furnishing, adding to or improving the old National Guard Armory on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi, or another structure if approved by the Department of Finance and Administration as provided in Section 39-23-3(a), for use as a children's museum; (b) repair, renovation, furnishing and equipping of the facility at the location described in Section 39-23-3(c);(c) construction, furnishing and equipping of a facility at the location described in Section 39-23-3(d); or (d) construction, furnishing and equipping of a facility at a location selected as provided in Section 39-23-3(e). The issuance of the bonds described in this paragraph and the allocation of such funds are conditioned upon the private sector or local or federal government providing Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,300,000.00) to match the funds provided under this section. The matching funds required pursuant to this subsection may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions or any combination of cash or in-kind contributions. In-kind contributions shall include, but not be limited to, the value of exhibits that are contributed to the children's museum.

(b) Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the department shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,300,000.00).

(c) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 12. Sections 97 through 118, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Section 13, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, are amended as follows:

Section 97. As used in Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

Section 98. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Institutions of Higher Learning and State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING............ $ 109,810,000.00

Alcorn State University.................... $ 14,600,000.00

Design, construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a new dining facility ....... $12,600,000.00

Construction of a new baseball

stadium and field and related

facilities .................. $ 2,000,000.00

Delta State University...................... $ 7,480,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 2,830,000.00

Repair and renovation of

Bailey, Kethley and

Union Halls ................. $ 4,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

Chadwick Dickson Field House,

construction of visitors

restrooms and concession

stand at Parker Field, repairs

and renovations of Walter

Sillers Coliseum, construction

of the Dave "Boo" Ferris

Baseball Building ........... $ 650,000.00

Jackson State University.................... $ 12,000,000.00

Continuation of Phase II

of the Lynch

Street Corridor

Project to include

utilities, landscaping,

irrigation and plaza

removal, land acquisition,

site improvements and repair

and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase

of furniture and

equipment ................... $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of repair and renovation of

the Charles Moore Building .. $ 5,000,000.00

Phase I of construction of the

Dansby/Johnson Complex....... $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of repair, renovation,

construction, furnishing and

equipping of the

E-City Center Building ...... $ 500,000.00

Land acquisition ............... $ 2,500,000.00

Mississippi University for Women............. $ 8,000,000.00

Repair and renovation

of Poindexter Hall .......... $ 7,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping

of Martin Hall and

South Callaway Hall

and general repair and

renovation .................. $ 1,000,000.00

Mississippi State University................ $ 17,000,000.00

Phase II of repair and renovation

and furnishing and equipping

of Colvard Student Union .... $ 7,000,000.00

Phase I of repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of Harned Hall .............. $ 5,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure .............. $ 5,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.......... $ 5,300,000.00

Phase II construction and

furnishing and equipping of

a new building for the

Department of Agricultural and

Biological Engineering ...... $ 4,750,000.00

Repair and renovation of

Veterinary Medicine

facilities .................. $ 550,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University......... $ 7,750,000.00

Phase I of design, construction,

furnishing and equipping a

wellness center ............. $ 7,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure .............. $ 750,000.00

University of Mississippi................... $ 13,250,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 9,000,000.00

Repair, renovation, furnishing

and equipping of the

Old Chemistry Building ...... $ 4,000,000.00

Purchase of furniture and equipment

at the Institutions of Higher

Learning Center at

Southaven, Mississippi ...... $ 250,000.00

University Medical Center................... $ 1,980,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 1,980,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi.......... $ 12,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities; repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure; purchase of

furniture and equipment;

provide matching funds

for projects funded

through private donations

and federal grants; construction

of buildings and facilities;

and land acquisition ........ $ 7,000,000.00

Phase III of repair and renovation

of Reed Green Coliseum ...... $ 3,000,000.00

Design, construction, furnishing

and equipping of an oceanographic

support facility ............ $ 2,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Campuses....................... $ 6,500,000.00

Facility repairs,

replacements and upgrades

at Gulf Coast Campuses ...... $ 6,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase

of furniture and equipment

at Gulf Park Campus ......... $ 500,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory............ $ 3,950,000.00

Design, construction, furnishing

and equipping of a

research office/laboratory

facility at the Cedar

Point Campus ................ $ 3,700,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 250,000.00

STATE AGENCIES.............................. $ 80,350,000.00

Department of Agriculture and Commerce...... $ 4,070,000.00

Repair, renovation, demolition,

improvement and upgrade of

facilities and

infrastructure .............. $ 2,000,000.00

Phase II of the relocation

of the Mississippi Farmers

Central Market to the State

Fairgrounds ................. $ 1,600,000.00

Roof repairs and necessary heating

and air conditioning system

modifications to the Heritage

Building at the Jim Buck Ross

Mississippi Agriculture and

Forestry Museum ............. $ 470,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration.... $ 45,600,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a parking facility

and cafeteria adjacent to

the Sillers Building ........ $16,000,000.00

Tenant build-out, information

technology and furnishing and

equipping of the Sillers

Building .................... $ 3,000,000.00

Plazas, demolition, landscaping,

furnishing and equipping and

related items for occupancy of

the new Gartin justice facility

and the pedestrian mall and

green space located in the Sillers

Building block .............. $ 6,000,000.00

Property acquisition, demolition

and site improvement in

the vicinity of

the Capitol Complex ......... $ 2,000,000.00

Planning and acquisition of property,

construction of facilities,

furnishing, equipping and

relocation of the State Tax

Commission and/or Mississippi

Department of Environmental

Quality ..................... $ 8,000,000.00

Roofing repairs, repair and/or

replacement of windows and

weatherization at the

Robert E. Lee Building or

other Capitol Complex

facilities .................. $ 3,000,000.00

General repairs and renovations

at the 101 Capitol

Centre Building ............. $ 2,000,000.00

Construction of additions to,

and general repairs and

renovations of, the Department

of Rehabilitation Services

Building .................... $ 3,000,000.00

Preplanning for projects listed

in subsection (5) of this

section ..................... $ 2,600,000.00

Department of Corrections................... $ 2,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of existing

facilities, infrastructure

repair and expansions and

furnishing and equipping

of facilities ............... $ 2,500,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. $ 3,000,000.00

Construction of minor new facilities,

additions to, and repair and

renovation of existing facilities

and furnishing and equipping

of facilities, repair to

dams, spillways and

other infrastructure ........ $ 3,000,000.00

Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind.. $ 1,500,000.00

Continuation of renovations to

the Mississippi School for

the Deaf, Dormitory A

including furniture and

equipment; enhancements to

Phases II and III to include

audio and video communication,

furniture, equipment, lockers

and signage ................. $ 1,500,000.00

Department of Information and Technology

Services.................................. $ 1,800,000.00

Phase II of installation of

communications infrastructure

and related equipment at the

Capitol Complex, the Education

and Research Center campus

and other state buildings

and connections between such

locations; preplanning for

a cooperative data center;

and delivery system and data

warehouse infrastructure for

geographic information/remote

sensing data ................ $ 1,800,000.00

Department of Human Services................ $ 7,000,000.00

Repair of existing academic

center, repair or replacement

of gymnasium at Columbia and

other projects at Columbia

and Oakley to satisfy facility

requirements requested by

the Department of Justice ... $ 4,000,000.00

General repairs and renovations,

furnishing and equipping of

facilities and site work at

the Columbia Training School

and the Oakley Training

School ...................... $ 3,000,000.00

Mississippi Industries for the Blind........ $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of a complete reuse plan

and construction, furnishing

and equipping of the Mississippi

Industries for the Blind Facility

and State Records Center at

the old Farmers' Market

location in Jackson ......... $ 2,000,000.00

Mississippi National Guard.................. $ 1,430,000.00

Provide matching funds to the

National Guard for

construction of readiness

center in Monticello,

Mississippi ................. $ 1,430,000.00

State Fire Academy.......................... $ 200,000.00

Repair of control tower, general

repairs and renovations and

additions to the classroom

building .................... $ 200,000.00

Mississippi Authority for Educational Television......... $ 2,500,000.00

Necessary upgrades to television

and radio system ............ $ 2,500,000.00

Department of Public Safety................. $ 2,350,000.00

Phase I of design, construction,

furnishing and equipping

of Highway Safety Patrol

substations at New Albany,

Greenwood and Meridian

Districts ................... $ 2,000,000.00

Phase II of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a Bureau of Narcotics

headquarters building

in the Starkville

District .................... $ 350,000.00

Mississippi Department of Transportation.... $ 400,000.00

Construction, equipping and

furnishing of a new

maintenance facility in

Itawamba County ............. $ 400,000.00

Department of Mental Health................. $ 6,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings, facilities

and infrastructure .......... $ 6,000,000.00

TOTAL....................................... $190,160,000.00

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 21 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 21 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(b) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in subsection (1) of this section. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(3) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in 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 the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(4) Any amounts allocated to an agency or institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency or institution of higher learning that are described in subsection (1) of this section may be used for general repairs and renovations at the agency or institution of higher learning to which such amount is allocated.

(5) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized to preplan the following projects:

(a) Psychiatric receiving units at the Mississippi State Hospital;

(b) Additions to the client bed facility at the South Mississippi State Hospital;

(d) Repair and renovation of the Wise Center at Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine;

(e) Repair and renovation of the Carpenter Administration Building at Mississippi Valley State University;

(f) A new College of Business Facility at the University of Southern Mississippi;

(g) Repair and renovation of Hardy Hall at the University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf Park Campus; and

(h) Mechanical loop system and central plant at Delta State University.

The projects authorized in this subsection shall be in addition to the projects authorized in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 99. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this act.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of acquisition of real property, construction of new facilities, equipping and furnishing facilities, including furniture and technology equipment and infrastructure, and addition to or renovation of existing facilities for community and junior college campuses as recommended by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. The amount to be expended at each community and junior college is as follows:

Coahoma.................................. $ 2,429,419.00

Copiah-Lincoln........................... 2,855,078.00

East Central............................. 2,622,534.00

East Mississippi......................... 3,096,334.00

Hinds.................................... 5,281,200.00

Holmes................................... 3,092,806.00

Itawamba................................. 3,384,549.00

Jones.................................... 3,797,671.00

Meridian................................. 3,004,719.00

Mississippi Delta........................ 3,011,572.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast................... 5,072,211.00

Northeast Mississippi.................... 3,003,704.00

Northwest Mississippi.................... 3,916,749.00

Pearl River.............................. 3,001,116.00

Southwest Mississippi.................... 2,430,338.00

GRAND TOTAL.............................. $50,000,000.00

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the community college or junior college for which any such monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

Section 100. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Ayers Settlement Agreement Capital Improvements Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall constitute Ayers bond revenues to be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of capital improvements at Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University as recommended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in consultation with the presidents of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University, in order to comply with the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove. Projects shall be managed by the Department of Finance and Administration in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature that not less than ten percent (10%) of the amounts authorized to be expended in this section shall be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 USCS, Section 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; except that women shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for the purposes of this subsection.

Section 101. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Bureau of Buildings Discretionary Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of:

(i) Correction of structural, environmental and weatherization problems, required site protection, repair of finishes, completion of furnishing and equipping of the Mississippi Valley State University Administration Building and the Greenville Higher Education Center and temporary relocation of occupants of such buildings;

(ii) Site improvements, general weatherization, demolition and roofing, environmental, mechanical, electrical and structural repairs required for state-owned facilities, and repair and renovation of state-owned facilities necessary for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act; and

(iii) Completion of previously authorized projects.

(c) In addition to other amounts required to be deposited into the fund, any settlement or award of damages paid to the state as a result of disputes arising out of the construction of Mississippi Valley State University Administration Building or the Greenville Higher Education Center, shall be deposited into the fund.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) 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 the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 102. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2004-2005 Hillcrest Cemetery Repair Fund" is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, to pay the costs of repairs to the historical portion of the Hillcrest Cemetery.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer to the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 103. (1) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Sections 98 and 99 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. Except as otherwise provided in Section 102 of this act, the total amount of bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty-four Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($254,360,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2008.

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(a) The 2004-2005 Institutions of Higher Learning Capital and State Agencies Improvements Fund created pursuant

to Section 98 of this act................. $ 190,160,000.00.

(b) The 2004-2005 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 99

of this act............................... $ 50,000,000.00.

act....................................... $ 14,000,000.00.

(d) The 2004-2005 Hillcrest Cemetery Repair Fund created pursuant to Section 102 of this act$ 200,000.00.

(3) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in Sections 98, 99, 101 and 102 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 104. (1) The United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi having approved the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove and on notification that such agreement has become final and effective according to its terms, including, but not limited to, the exhaustion of all rights to appeal, the commission, at one time, or from time to time, shall declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 100 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 100 of this act. Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in Section 100 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds.

Section 105. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act 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 limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, 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 commission.

Section 106. The bonds authorized by Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the 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 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 their delivery 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 107. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 108. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, 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 commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The 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 the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 97 through 118 of 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 109. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of 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 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 110. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in Sections 98, 99, 100, 101 and 102 of this act in the amounts provided for in Sections 103(2) and 104 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 111. The bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act 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 Sections 97 through 118 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 112. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 97 through 118 of 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 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 such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 113. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of 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 under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 97 through 118 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 114. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of 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 115. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 116. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 117. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of 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 118. Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 13. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00). No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2011.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(3) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section 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 limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, 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 commission.

(4) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the 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 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 their delivery 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.

(5) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(6) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, 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 commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The 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 the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

(7) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is 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.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created in Section 39-5-145, and the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in Section 39-5-145.

(9) The bonds authorized under this section 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 section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(10) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section 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 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 such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(11) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section 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 under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(12) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section 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.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(15) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; 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.

(16) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but this section of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 14. Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

39-5-145. (1) A special fund, to be designated the "Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund," is 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. The fund shall consist of any monies designated for deposit therein from any source, including proceeds of any state general obligation bonds designated for deposit therein. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into the fund. The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Monies deposited into such fund shall be allocated and disbursed according to the provisions of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(2) Monies deposited into the fund shall be allocated and disbursed as follows:

(a) (i) Twenty-five Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($25,150,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants on a reimbursable basis through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service in helping pay the costs incurred in preserving, restoring, rehabilitating, repairing or interpreting (i) historic county courthouses, (ii) historic school buildings, and/or (iii) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Where possible, expenditures from the fund shall be used to match federal grants or other grants that may be accessed by the Department of Archives and History, other state agencies, county governments or municipal governments, school districts or nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service. Any properties, except those described in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this subsection, receiving monies pursuant to this section must be designated as "Mississippi Landmark" properties prior to selection as projects for funding under the provisions of this section.

(ii) One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments in helping pay the costs of historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses. Grants to individual courthouses under this paragraph (a)(ii) shall not exceed Eight Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($875,000.00).

(b) Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Amory Regional Museum in Amory, Mississippi, to pay the costs of capital improvements, repair, renovation, furnishing and/or equipping of the museum. The Department of Finance and Administration is directed to transfer Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) from the fund to the city on or before December 31, 2004, and the city shall place the funds into an escrow account. The city may expend the funds from the account only in an amount equal to matching funds that are provided from any source other than the state for the project. As the funds are withdrawn from the escrow account, the city shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the amount of the funds that have been withdrawn and that the funds have been withdrawn are in an amount equal to matching funds required by this paragraph.

(c) One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Jacinto Foundation, Inc., to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing and/or equipping the courthouse and related facilities in Jacinto, Mississippi.

(d) Four Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing, equipping and/or acquiring the L.Q.C. Lamar Home in Oxford, Mississippi.

(e) Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the City of Columbus, Mississippi Federal/State Programs Department to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, reconstructing, furnishing and/or equipping the Queen City Hotel in Columbus, Mississippi.

(f) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Town of Wesson, Mississippi, to pay the costs of restoration and renovation of the Old Wesson School.

(g) Monies in the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund which are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection for which funding is provided under this section. Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(3) (a) The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service for projects associated with the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, repair or interpretation of (a) historic courthouses, (b) historic school buildings and/or (c) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board. The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(a)(ii), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(b) The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments for projects associated with historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board. The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(a)(i), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(4) The Department of Archives and History shall publicize the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program described in this section on a statewide basis, including the publication of the criteria and standards used by the department in selecting projects for funding. The selection of a project for funding under the provisions of this section shall be made solely upon the deliberate consideration of each proposed project on its merits. The board shall make every effort to award the grants in a manner that will fairly distribute the funds in regard to the geography and cultural diversity of the state. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(5) With regard to any project awarded funding under this section, any consultant, planner, architect, engineer, exhibit contracting firm, historic preservation specialist or other professional hired by a grant recipient to work on any such project shall be approved by the board before their employment by the grant recipient.

(6) Plans and specifications for all projects initiated under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the board before the awarding of any contracts. The plans and specifications for any work involving "Mississippi Landmark" properties shall be developed in accordance with "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties."

SECTION 15. The Legislature recognizes a need for a civil rights museum in Mississippi to promote the educational and social development of Mississippians and to honor those persons who have made significant contributions toward the advancement of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States. The Legislature further recognizes that a civil rights museum would be of great economic and cultural importance to Mississippi.

SECTION 16. (1) A facility to house the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum shall be located on a site recommended by the Department of Finance and Administration. The site shall be on vacant or historically significant property.

(2) (a) The museum shall be under the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History;

(b) The duties and powers of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall include, in addition to other duties and powers granted or prescribed by law, the following:

(i) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the operation of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum;

(ii) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the acquisition of furniture and furnishings, including, but not limited to, paintings and objects of art and the acquisition of documents for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum;

(c) To promote the donation, bequest, devise or loaning of money or property, real or personal, from any agency of the United States, state or local government, any person, firm, corporation, association or group, for the purpose of the operation, administration and maintenance of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum;

(d) To acquire, preserve, restore or operate any real or personal property deemed significant for historical, architectural or cultural reasons, to expend funds for such purposes, to enter into contracts or agreements with any agency of the United States or any person, firm, corporation or association for the purpose of the operation, administration and maintenance of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and to do any and all things which may be necessary or desirable to carry out such purpose; and

(e) To review and approve any major changes in the architecture, furnishings, objects of art and other matters effecting the repair, preservation, operation, maintenance or protection of property of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

(3) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Fund," is created in 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. The special fund shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(b) Monies in the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of maintaining and operating the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

SECTION 17. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2007 Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Construction Fund," is 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of designing, preplanning the construction of, and the construction, equipping and furnishing of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum authorized pursuant to Section 16 of this act.

(d) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to pay for the cost of designing, preplanning the construction of, and the construction, equipping and furnishing of, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum authorized pursuant to Section 16 of this act.

(5) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, and attested by the secretary of the 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 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 their delivery 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.

Notice of the sale of any such bond shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or 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 commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that bonds, at the option of the state, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(17) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 18. Section 3, Chapter 14, Laws of 2005 Fifth Extraordinary Session, is amended as follows:

Section 3. (1) The Mississippi Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as the "authority") is authorized and empowered to utilize any funds acquired pursuant to Section 5 of this act and any funds otherwise provided for the purposes expressed in this act from any source, to establish a disaster loan program with federally insured financial institutions or other approved lending institutions according to rules and regulations of the authority to provide short-term bridge loans to small business owners in this state for the purpose of assisting such small businesses in returning to business as quickly as possible.

(2) The amount of any loan granted under this act shall be not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). The term of any loan made under this section shall be ninety (90) days or one hundred eighty (180) days as determined by the authority based upon the circumstances of the business applying for the loan. However, upon request by the issuing financial institution, the authority may extend the term of any loan made under this act up to an additional one hundred eighty (180) days, and, upon the request of the issuing financial institution, the authority may extend the term of any loan up to an additional three hundred sixty (360) days beyond the term of any such extension. The proceeds of the loans authorized under this act shall be used only for the purpose of maintaining or restarting the business in the area for which a disaster declaration by the Governor for Hurricane Katrina was issued.

(3) To be eligible for the loans authorized under this act, small businesses shall:

(a) Be located in the area for which a disaster declaration for Hurricane Katrina was issued by the Governor;

(b) Have been established in the area for which the disaster declaration of the Governor for Hurricane Katrina was issued for not less than one (1) year prior to the declaration;

(c) Have employed not less than two (2) nor more than one hundred (100) persons immediately prior to the disaster declaration;

(d) Have suffered physical damage as a direct result of the disaster; and

(e) Be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by Mississippi residents, or, in the case of a Mississippi nonprofit corporation, controlled by Mississippi residents.

(4) Using assessments of the disaster impacted areas, the authority shall designate the area, and the counties in the area, in which a small business must be located to be eligible to participate in the program. The authority shall develop, adopt and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of the loan program established under this act. The rules and regulations shall govern the use of loan proceeds, terms of loans, loan interest rates and fees, the loan approval process and any other matters the authority considers appropriate. For purposes of the program established by this act, the authority shall be exempt from the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

SECTION 19. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.