MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Transportation; Appropriations

By: Representative Green (34th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 65-4-15 AND 65-37-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF STATE AID ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE OFFICE IN ADMINISTERING AND PROVIDING SERVICES UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY ACT AND THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 65-4-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-4-15. There is hereby established a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the "Economic Development Highway Fund" which shall consist of such monies as the Legislature shall appropriate thereto or such other monies as the Legislature may designate to be deposited therein. Any monies to the credit of such fund may be expended by the Mississippi Department of Transportation or political subdivision, as appropriate, upon approval of requisitions therefor by the Department of Economic and Community Development for any expenses incurred by the Transportation Department or political subdivision in constructing and improving highways and highway segments which have been approved by the Department of Economic and Community Development under the provisions of this chapter. The Office of State Aid Road Construction shall be entitled to reimbursement from monies in the fund, upon approval by the Department of Economic and Community Development of requisitions therefor by the State Aid Engineer, for the actual expenses incurred by the office in administering and providing engineering services to political subdivisions. Monies remaining unexpended to the credit of such special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the investment of monies in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

SECTION 2. Section 65-37-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-37-13. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund." The fund shall consist of such monies as the Legislature appropriates pursuant to subsection (2) of this section and such other monies as the Legislature may designate for deposit in the fund. Monies in the fund may be expended upon legislative appropriation in accordance with the provisions of Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15.

(2) During each regular legislative session held in calendar years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, if the official General Fund revenue estimate for the succeeding fiscal year for which appropriations are being made reflects a growth in General Fund revenues of three percent (3%) or more for that succeeding fiscal year, then the Legislature shall appropriate Twenty-five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) from the State General Fund for deposit in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund.

(3) Such monies as are deposited in the fund under the provisions of this section may be expended upon requisition therefor by the State Aid Engineer in accordance with the provisions of Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15. The Office of State Aid Road Construction shall be entitled to reimbursement from monies in the fund, upon requisitions therefor by the State Aid Engineer, for the actual expenses incurred by the office in administering the provisions of the local system bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(4) Monies in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund shall be allocated and become available for distribution to counties in accordance with the formula prescribed in Section 65-37-4 beginning January 1, 1995, on a project-by-project basis. Monies in the special fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.