MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Transportation; Ways and Means
By: Representatives Busby, Stamps
AN ACT TO AMEND MISSISSIPPI CODE ANNOTATED TO ADD A NEW SECTION IN CHAPTER 1 OF TITLE 65 TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO ESTABLISH ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND TO ALLOW THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PRIVATE COMPANIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission may in its discretion design, construct, operate, maintain, regulate and/or control, individually or jointly with other government entities, one or more electric vehicle charging stations in the state for electric motor vehicle traffic. All such electric vehicle charging station structures and other related infrastructure comprising the project shall be built and maintained in accordance with not less than the minimum standards established by the commission for such stations and related facilities.
(2) The commission may contract, individually or jointly with any persons, corporations, partnerships or other businesses licensed to do business in the State of Mississippi (hereinafter referred to as "companies" or "company") for the purpose of designing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining one or more new electric vehicle charging stations.
(3) Such contracts may provide that the commission may grant funds to a company for the design, construction, operation and/or maintenance of new electric vehicle charging stations.
(4) All such structures and other infrastructure comprising the project shall be built and maintained in accordance with not less than the minimum design, construction and maintenance standards established by the commission and the Mississippi Department of Transportation for such charging stations, infrastructure and facilities. The commission may have MDOT conduct periodic inspections of any such charging station throughout the terms of the contract to ensure compliance by the company. Failure of a company to comply with minimum standards established for the project by the contracting governmental entity shall constitute a breach and shall subject the company to liability on its bond and security or recission of the contract in accordance with the terms and provisions of the contract.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.