MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands; Appropriations

By: Representatives Cameron, Flaggs

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY ENTITLED THE "1999 MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION (MESC) BUILDING FUND"; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $9,000,000.00 FROM MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FUNDS TO THE SPECIAL FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES PLACED IN THE SPECIAL FUND WILL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTING A NEW OFFICE FACILITY FOR THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MESC BUILDING FUND MAY ALSO BE USED TO PURCHASE LAND FOR THE NEW OFFICE FACILITY IN THE EVENT THAT APPROPRIATE STATE-OWNED LAND CANNOT BE OBTAINED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION MAY OBTAIN THE LAND UPON WHICH THE NEW FACILITY IS BUILT BY ANY MANNER ALLOWED UNDER THE LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI MAY DONATE, TRANSFER OR CONVEY BY ANY OTHER MEANS, LAND TO THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION FOR RELOCATION PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) A special fund, to be designated as the "1999 Mississippi Employment Security Commission Building Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer separate and apart from the General Fund of the state, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund. The State Fiscal Officer shall transfer a sum not to exceed Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000.00) to this special fund from the following funds:

(a) The Mississippi Employment Security Administration Fund, Number 3671;

(b) The Mississippi Employment Security Special Administration Fund, Number 3672; and

(c) The Mississippi Employment Security Buildings and Land Fund, Number 3673.

The transfer shall be made on the dates and in the amounts as determined by the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. 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.

(2) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of the following:

(a) Planning and constructing a new office facility for the Mississippi Security Employment Commission to be located within the city limits of Jackson, Mississippi.

(b) Providing for moving costs, reestablishment of computer networks, communication and other necessary expenses associated with the relocation of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission.

(c) Purchasing privately owned land in the event that appropriate state-owned land cannot be obtained.

(3) Money deposited into the special fund shall not exceed the total amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000.00).

(4) Amounts deposited in the special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued upon requisitions signed by the State Fiscal Officer.

SECTION 2. (1) The Mississippi Employment Security Commission may obtain the land upon which the new office facility will be constructed by any means allowed under the law, including but not limited to, the following means:

(a) Purchasing privately owned land;

(b) Receiving, by grant or other type of conveyance, state-owned land which is available and suitable for construction and which adequately meets the needs of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission;

(c) Exchanging the Mississippi Employment Security Commission's current headquarters building located at 1520 West Capitol Street in Jackson, Mississippi, for other suitable state or privately owned property;

(d) Receiving land by gift or donation;

(e) Obtaining land through a lease-purchase arrangement; or

(f) Receiving land by any other means legally applicable.

(2) The State of Mississippi may donate, transfer, exchange or convey by any other means, land to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission for relocation purposes.

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