House Bill 1568

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, ACTING ON BEHALF OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, TO EXPAND THE LEGAL PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES OF THE FLAGSHIP CAMPUS OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, LOCATED AT 1400 JOHN R. LYNCH STREET IN JACKSON, HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) (a) The Department of Finance and Administration, in consultation with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and acting on behalf of Jackson State University, is authorized to undertake necessary and proper action under the implements of the law governing the acquisition of real estate, to expand the legal physical boundaries of the flagship campus of Jackson State University, located at 1400 John R. Lynch Street, in the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi. To the extent agreed upon by Jackson State University and the board, the expansion of institutional boundaries shall, at a minimum, be concentrated in the southeastern quadrant of existing boundaries of the university, as those boundaries existed on January 1, 2024, such limitation of real property inclusion being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Dalton Street with its point of connection at the southernmost boundary of Dr. Robert Smith, Sr., Parkway and traversing in a southerly direction to the point where Dalton Street intersects with the southernmost boundary of Morehouse Street.

(b) Upon a determination by Jackson State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, to expand the boundaries beyond those described in paragraph (a) of this section, in the best interest of the university to accomplish the purpose of this act, the Department of Finance and Administration may negotiate all aspects of any agreement pertaining to the expansion of the university's legal physical boundaries with regard to incorporating portions of municipal roadways which traverse through or immediately adjacent to the university's campus.

(2) Upon the completion of all transactions to facilitate the acquisition and transfer of any property encompassed within the description of the real property described in subsection (1), upon verification by a licensed professional surveyor, shall become a part of Jackson State University, with all recorded instruments reflecting the same.

(3) (a) The boundary expansion granted under the authority of this section shall place the real property described in subsection (1) within the law enforcement jurisdiction of Jackson State University Department of Public Safety, and within the campus parameters for purposes of being considered and defined within the meaning of "educational property" as prescribed under Section 97-37-17.

(b) In furtherance of adequately ensuring the health, safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff and authorized campus visitors, the university is authorized to erect or construct such security accoutrements, including, but not limited to, guard houses or arms as determined necessary by the president of the university.

(4) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to correct any discrepancies in the property described in this section.

(5) The City of Jackson shall retain responsibility for maintenance, repair and upkeep of all roadways and underlying water and sewer service utility lines.

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

and after its passage.