MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency; Appropriations
By: Representative Currie
AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 39-11-1, 39-11-5, 39-11-7, 39-11-9, 39-11-11, 39-11-13, 39-27-1, 39-32-1 AND 39-33-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION, PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION, DESIGNATE THE ARTS COMMISSION TO DISBURSE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE PERFORMING, VISUAL AND LITERACY ARTS, CREATE THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS, PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI BLUES COMMISSION, PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC COMMISSION, AND PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF THE DIVISION OF TOURISM OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE MISSISSIPPI COUNTRY MUSIC TRAIL, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 39-11-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH SETS THE TERMS OF OFFICE AND COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARTS COMMISSION, TO MAKE SOME MINOR NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 57-11-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR COOPERATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI MARKETING COUNCIL BY STATE AGENCIES, TO MAKE SOME MINOR NONSUBSTANTIVE CHANGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 39-11-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-11-1. There is hereby created and established a state commission to be known as the Mississippi Arts Commission, to consist of fifteen members broadly representative of all fields of the performing, visual, literary arts, and the business community, and who are to be appointed by the Governor from among citizens of the state who have demonstrated a vital interest in the performing, visual, or literary arts. These members shall also be representative of the different geographical areas of the state.
SECTION 2. Section 39-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
39-11-3. Of the members initially appointed to the Mississippi Arts Commission, three (3) shall be appointed for terms of one (1) year, three (3) for terms of two (2) years, three (3) for terms of three (3) years, three (3) for terms of four (4) years and three (3) for terms of five (5) years. Thereafter, terms shall be for five (5) years. The members heretofore appointed to the commission under Executive Order No. 12 are to remain contingent members of the Mississippi Arts Commission until their successors are appointed under this chapter. No member of the commission who serves a full five-year term shall be eligible for reappointment during a one-year period following the expiration of his term. All vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments. The members of the commission shall not receive any compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission. The commission will annually elect its chairman and other officers.
SECTION 3. Section 39-11-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-11-5. The chairman shall employ, with the approval of the commission, an executive director as administrative officer. The executive director shall employ other officers, experts and employees as may be needed and shall fix their compensation within the amounts made available for such purposes. Employment of staff members is subject to the approval of the commission. The commission may also, at its discretion, form advisory panels from qualified persons within the state to obtain their advice and counsel on matters pertaining to the arts. Members of these panels shall serve at the will and pleasure of the commission and will receive no compensation.
SECTION 4. Section 39-11-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-11-7. The duties and objectives of the commission shall be:
(1) To stimulate and encourage throughout the state the study and presentation of the performing, visual, and literary arts and public interest and participation therein;
(2) To encourage participation in, appreciation of, and education in the arts to meet the legitimate needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state;
(3) To take such steps as may be necessary and appropriate, to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Mississippi, to expand the state's cultural resources, and to promote the use of art in the state government's activities and facilities; and
(4) To encourage excellence and assist freedom of artistic expression essential for the well-being of the arts.
SECTION 5. Section 39-11-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-11-9. (1) The Mississippi Arts Commission is authorized and empowered to hold public hearings, to enter into contracts within the limit of funds available therefor, with individuals, organizations and institutions for services furthering the objectives of the commission's programs; to enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with local and regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering the objectives of the commission's programs; to accept gifts, contributions and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the commission's programs; to make and sign any agreements and to do and perform any acts that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The commission may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its powers and duties hereunder.
(2) A special fund to be designated as the Mississippi Fund for the Arts is hereby created in the State Treasury. All funds deposited in this fund shall be used exclusively for the objectives of the commission as herein provided. Donations, bequests and grants deposited into the Mississippi Fund for the Arts may be disbursed by the Mississippi Arts Commission in accordance with the terms of the bequest or grant and in compliance with the purposes and policies of the Mississippi Arts Commission. Any disbursements made from the fund shall be authorized by both the chairman and the executive director of the commission and shall be supported by official actions and votes spread upon the minutes of the commission at an open public meeting. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund and may be expended by the commissioner in subsequent fiscal years. Any interest earned on the fund may remain in the fund for disbursement by the commission in compliance with its purposes and policies. All transactions of the fund shall be reported annually to appropriate state agencies and subject to audit by the State Auditor and by auditors of donors. The Mississippi Fund for the Arts shall not be used for grants from federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the National Endowment for the Arts.
SECTION 6. Section 39-11-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-11-11. The commission is the official agency of the state to receive and disburse appropriate funds made available by the federal government for programs related to the performing, visual, and literary arts.
SECTION 7. Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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) Money 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 1 of Chapter 607, Laws of 2007, 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, 2018.
(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. Section 39-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-27-1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Blues Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission." The commission may accept and expend grants and private donations from any source, including federal, state, public and private entities, to assist it to carry out its functions.
(2) For purposes of this chapter, the term "blues" shall mean African-American roots music and the culture that created it.
(3) The powers, functions and duties of the commission shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(a) To study, deliberate and report to the Governor and the Legislature on the best method or plan to market and foster an appreciation of the blues, to include tourism, academic study and blues archives, blues historical preservation, blues cultural education and the support of performing artists. The marketing plan shall be designed to attract tourists, conferences, music performances, filmmakers and others for the purpose of economic development of all geographic areas of the state, through the promotion of the blues and the heritage and culture that produced the blues, and to analyze the tourism potential of the blues for Mississippi.
(b) To make an inventory of blues "assets" that make up the blues and blues culture that could be developed into a program for domestic and international tourism, and opportunities for investment.
(c) To establish a statewide Mississippi "Blues Trail" infrastructure to offer to tourists and targeted groups a structured tour of Mississippi blues historical sites and performance venues.
(d) To coordinate with the Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, the State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, the University Center for Economic Development at Mississippi Valley State University, the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University, the Delta Blues Museum, the Delta Music Institute, the Mississippi Arts Commission and similar organizations in the sharing of resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to marketing the blues and blues culture in Mississippi.
(e) To make recommendations regarding the establishment of, and budgeting for, a permanent Mississippi Office of the Blues as an agency of state government with an executive director and appropriate staff to carry out the marketing plan developed by the commission. To the extent practical, any office shall be located at an existing public or private location which is appropriate to the blues or blues culture in Mississippi, with minimal cost to the state.
(f) To coordinate the blues marketing plan with any existing state historic preservation programs, in order to:
(i) Identify and preserve blues historic properties or sites;
(ii) Determine the eligibility of those properties or sites for listing on the National Register;
(iii) Prepare nominations of those properties or sites for inclusion on the National Register;
(iv) Maintain blues historical and archaeological data bases; and
(v) Evaluate those properties and sites for eligibility for state and federal preservation incentives.
(g) To raise and expend grant funds to provide assistance to any blues musicians in need.
(4) The commission shall be composed of the following members:
(a) The Director of the Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority;
(b) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, or his designee;
(c) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his designee;
(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, or his designee;
(e) The Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi;
(f) Until April 10, 2008, the Director of the University Center for Economic Development at Mississippi Valley State University, and after April 10, 2008, a person designated by the President of Mississippi Valley State University;
(g) The Director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University;
(h) The President of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center;
(i) The State Director of the USDA Rural Development Agency;
(j) Two (2) members of the Mississippi Senate designated by the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;
(k) Two (2) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;
(l) Two (2) members appointed by the Governor, who shall have experience in cultural affairs or tourism development in the Mississippi Delta; and
(m) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor from the state at large, who shall have demonstrated a commitment to the understanding and promotion of the blues.
(5) The Governor shall designate one (1) commission member to serve as chairman for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The commission shall meet upon the call of the chairman not later than August 1, 2004, and shall organize for business by adopting internal organizational procedures necessary for efficient operation of the commission, including officers, quorum requirements and policies for any commission staff. Each member of the commission shall designate necessary staff of his or her respective agency, department, university or business entity, as the case may be, to provide administrative support to assist the commission in performing its duties and responsibilities. The commission shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly each year. Meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and opportunity for public comment shall be made available.
(6) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
(7) The commission shall submit a report, including any proposed legislation, to the Governor and to the Legislature before the convening of the 2009 Regular Session. The report shall include a comprehensive state plan for marketing the blues as specifically provided above.
(8) All departments, boards, agencies, officers and institutions of the state, and all subdivisions thereof, shall cooperate with the commission in carrying out its purposes under this chapter.
(9) Any funds or donations received by the commission shall be deposited into a special fund which is created in the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special 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 special fund.
Monies in the fund shall be expended by the Department of Finance and Administration after receipt of requisitions submitted by the appropriate person designated by the commission. Monies in the special fund may be used by the commission in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter.
SECTION 9. Section 39-32-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-32-1. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Country and Western Music Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission." The commission may accept and expend grants and private donations from any source, including federal, state, public and private entities, to assist it to carry out its functions.
(2) For purposes of this chapter, the term "country and western music" shall mean country and western, blue grass and related music genre and the culture that created it.
(3) The powers, functions and duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) To study, deliberate and report to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2012, on the best method to market and foster an appreciation of country and western music, to include tourism, academic study and country and western music archives, country and western music historical preservation, country and western music cultural education and the support of performing artists. Such marketing plan shall be designed to attract tourists, conferences, music performances, filmmakers and others for the purpose of economic development of all geographic areas of the state through the promotion of country and western music and the heritage and culture that produced such, and to analyze the tourism potential of the country and western music for Mississippi.
(b) To make an inventory of country and western music "assets" that make up country and western music and its culture that could be developed into a program for domestic and international tourism, and opportunities for investment.
(c) Coordination with the Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, the state institutions of higher learning, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and similar organizations to share resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to marketing the country and western music culture in Mississippi.
(d) To make recommendations regarding the establishment of, and budgeting for, a permanent Mississippi office of country and western music as an agency of state government with an executive director and appropriate staff to carry out the marketing plan developed by the commission. To the extent practical, any office shall be located at an existing public or private location which is appropriate to the country and western music culture in Mississippi, with minimal cost to the state.
(e) Coordination of the country and western music marketing plan with any existing state historic preservation programs, in order to:
(i) Identify and preserve country and western music historic properties;
(ii) Determine the eligibility of such properties for listing on the National Register;
(iii) Prepare nominations of such sites for inclusion on the National Register;
(iv) Maintenance of country and western music historical and archaeological data bases; and
(v) Evaluation of such sites for eligibility for state and federal preservation incentives.
(f) To implement and continue the development and creation of the Mississippi Country Music Trail as outlined in Section 39-33-1, provide oversight of the trail and its infrastructure, and explore funding opportunities to support continued implementation.
(4) The commission shall be composed of the following members:
(a) The Director of the Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority;
(b) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, or his designee;
(c) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his designee;
(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, or his designee;
(e) The Chairman of the Board of the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center, or his designee;
(f) The Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi;
(g) The State Director of the USDA Rural Development Agency;
(h) Two (2) members of the Mississippi Senate designated by the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;
(i) Two (2) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;
(j) Two (2) members appointed by the Governor, who shall have experience in cultural affairs or tourism development in East Central Mississippi; and
(k) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor from the state at large, who shall have demonstrated a commitment to the understanding and promotion of country and western music.
(5) The Governor shall designate one (1) commission member to serve as chairman for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The commission shall meet upon the call of the chairman not later than July 1, 2011, and shall organize for business by adopting internal organizational procedures necessary for efficient operation of the commission, including officers, quorum requirements and policies for any commission staff. Each member of the commission shall designate necessary staff of their departments to provide administrative support to assist the commission in performing its duties and responsibilities. The commission shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly. Meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and opportunity for public comment shall be made available.
(6) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
(7) The commission shall submit a report, including any proposed legislation, to the Governor and to the Legislature before the convening of the 2012 Regular Session. The report shall include a comprehensive state plan for marketing country and western music history as specifically provided above.
(8) All departments, boards, agencies, officers and institutions of the state and all subdivisions thereof shall cooperate with the commission in carrying out its purposes under this chapter.
(9) Any funds or donations received by the commission shall be deposited into a special fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury, and disbursement therefrom shall be made upon warrants by the Department of Finance and Administration after receipt of requisitions submitted by the appropriate person designated by the commission. Monies in the special fund may be used by the commission in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter.
SECTION 10. Section 39-33-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
39-33-1. The Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority is authorized and directed to do the following:
(a) To make an inventory of country music "assets" that make up the country music culture that could be developed into a program for domestic and international tourism, and opportunities for investment.
(b) To establish a statewide Mississippi "Country Music Trail" infrastructure to offer to tourists and target groups a structured tour of Mississippi country music historical sites and performance venues.
(c) To designate specific sites for the erection of appropriate "Mississippi Country Music Trail" markers to offer to tourists and targeted groups a structured tour of Mississippi country music historical sites and performance venues. The division shall be authorized to purchase appropriate Mississippi Country Music Trail markers from any of its available funds. The texts for the Mississippi Country Music Trail markers shall be approved by the division. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall cooperate with the division by erecting and maintaining the markers that have been approved by the division.
(d) To coordinate the Mississippi Country Music Trail program with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Jimmie Rogers Museum, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University, the Mississippi Arts Commission and similar organizations to share resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to marketing the country music and country music culture in Mississippi.
(e) To coordinate the Mississippi Country Music Trail marketing plan with any existing state historic preservation program, in order to identify and preserve country music historic properties, and determine the eligibility of such properties for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and prepare nominations of such sites.
SECTION 11. Section 57-11-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
57-11-19. The Mississippi
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Mississippi Arts Commission,
the Mississippi Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, the
Mississippi Extension Service, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and
Commerce, the Mississippi * * *Department of Economic and Community Development Development
Authority, and the Mississippi Fair Commission may cooperate with the
marketing council in carrying out the purposes of Sections 57-11-15 through 57-11-21.
SECTION 12. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.