MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 65-37-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE $25,000,000.00 THROUGH CALENDAR YEAR 2003 TO THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION FUND 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 3% OR MORE FOR THAT SUCCEEDING FISCAL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. 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 Section 65-37-1 through 65-37-15.

(2) (a) 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.

(b) During each regular legislative session held in calendar years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, 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. 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 65-37-3 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 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.