MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2000 Regular Session
To: Appropriations
By: Representatives Davis, Watson, Fillingane, Lott, Moore (100th)
House Bill 1256
AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HATTIESBURG CONVENTION COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE HATTIESBURG/SOUTH MISSISSIPPI VISITOR CENTER, AND PRESCRIBING CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT THE COMMISSION MUST MEET TO RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATION, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2001.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Hattiesburg Convention Commission for the purpose of constructing the Hattiesburg/South Mississippi Visitor Center for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, and ending June 30, 2001 $400,000.00.
SECTION 2. (1) The money appropriated in Section 1 of this act shall be used by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission to construct the Hattiesburg/South Mississippi Visitor Center at the intersection of Interstate 59 and U.S. Highway 49, which will be operated by the Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide tourists traveling in the southern part of the state with a clearly identifiable location to stop, collect visitor information, address personal and family travel needs and learn more about the State of Mississippi.
(2) In order for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission to receive the money appropriated by this act:
(a) The commission must obtain and donate the land needed for the visitor center and for parking, ingress and egress;
(b) The commission and the Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau jointly must provide $400,000.00 or such higher amount as necessary to complete the construction of the visitor center; and
(c) The commission and the visitors bureau must equip, furnish, maintain and provide personnel for the visitor center.
SECTION 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.