Senate Bill 2801

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO LEASE THE FORMER STATE CRIME LAB TO THE HINDS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Public Safety may lease the building formerly designated as the State Crime Lab to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for use by the Hinds County Medical Examiner. The building is located in Jackson, Mississippi, and the property upon which it is located shall be more particularly described in the lease agreement.

(2) As a condition of the lease authorized under subsection (1) of this section, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors shall pay for all utilities, repairs to fixtures and office equipment, and any other needed improvements in lieu of any rent. Additionally, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors is authorized to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Rankin County Board of Supervisors at the discretion of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors that authorizes the Rankin County Medical Examiner to use the building authorized to be leased under subsection (1) of this section. Rankin County shall not be charged rent beyond its proportional cost of utilities or requested improvements. The Hinds County Board of Supervisors may enter into other interlocal agreements or sublease agreements with other counties subject to Department of Public Safety approval, but shall not charge any rent beyond the cost of utilities and requested improvements that may be attributed to the entity with which the board may enter an agreement.

(3) Upon the sale, relocation or renovation of the Department of Public Safety's headquarters located at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, the department shall have the authority to terminate any lease or sublease agreement entered into under this act at least ninety (90) days after the date that written notice of termination of the agreement is submitted to the lessee. The Department of Finance and Administration may also terminate any lease on similar terms. Any lease, sublease or interlocal agreement entered into under this act shall be subject to the Department of Public Safety's right to terminate as described in this subsection.

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