MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: County Affairs; Municipalities

By: Representatives Byrd, Reynolds, Evans (45th), Hale, Steverson, Lancaster, Stamps

House Bill 1097

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 31-8-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ANY COUNTY AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF ANY MUNICIPALITY TO ENTER INTO LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR FACILITIES THAT WILL BE UTILIZED AS FIRE STATIONS FOR TERMS THAT ARE NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY YEARS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 31-8-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     31-8-3.  The counties and municipalities of this state, acting by and through the governing authorities thereof, are hereby authorized and empowered to enter into lease agreements with any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture or individual under which the county or municipality may agree to lease a facility for use by the lessor for any of the following purposes for a primary term not to exceed twenty (20) years:

          (a)  Public buildings;

          (b)  Courthouses;

          (c)  Office buildings;

          (d)  Jails;

          (e)  Auditoriums;

          (f)  Community centers;

          (g)  Civic art centers;

          (h)  Public libraries;

          (i)  Gymnasiums; * * *and

          (j)  Fire stations; and

          ( * * *jk)  Machinery and equipment for use in connection with any of the above, but shall not include office furniture and/or office machines, provided that the primary term of a lease with respect to machinery and equipment shall not exceed the estimated useful economic life of such machinery and equipment, as such useful economic life is mutually agreed upon by the lessor and lessee.

     Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the acquisition of public school buildings through the use of rental contracts.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.