MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representatives Dedeaux, Compretta

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE HANCOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO APPOINT A SEVEN-MEMBER COMMISSION TO SUPERVISE THE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HANCOCK COUNTY MULTIPURPOSE EQUINE AND LIVESTOCK FACILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION; TO TRANSFER ALL POWERS AND DUTIES, FUNDS AND FACILITIES OF THE HANCOCK COUNTY EQUINE AND LIVESTOCK FACILITY BOARD TO HANCOCK COUNTY; TO ABOLISH THE HANCOCK COUNTY EQUINE AND LIVESTOCK FACILITY BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 2 OF CHAPTER 525, LAWS OF 1995, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Board of Supervisors of Hancock County shall appoint a seven-member commission to supervise the administration and management of the Hancock County multipurpose equine and livestock facility that was constructed with funds provided for in Chapter 525, Laws of 1995. The appointments shall be made as follows: One (1) appointment shall be made by each board member and two (2) members shall be appointed at large by a majority vote of the board.

(2) The interest in and title to any equipment, supplies, records, arenas, barns, training tracks, and related facilities, and any funds of the Hancock County multipurpose equine and livestock facility shall be transferred to Hancock County, acting through its board of supervisors, on the effective date of this act.

(3) On the effective date of this act, the terms of the members of the Hancock County Equine and Livestock Facility Board shall expire and the Hancock County Equine and Livestock Facility Board shall be abolished.

SECTION 2. Section 2 of Chapter 525, Laws of 1995, is amended as follows:

Section 2. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration, at one time or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds:

(a) For construction and equipping of an equine training facility which will include a five-eighths (5/8) mile track, three hundred (300) animal stalls and a support facility at Mississippi State University; and

(b) To assist in the construction of a multipurpose equine and livestock facility, including a training track, animal stalls and supporting and related appurtenances, on land in Hancock County, Mississippi.

(2) The amount of bonds issued under this act shall not exceed the following:

(a) Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) for construction and equipping of an equine training facility which will include a five-eighths (5/8) mile track, three hundred (300) animal stalls and a support facility at Mississippi State University; and

(b) Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to assist in the construction of a multipurpose equine and livestock facility, including a training track, animal stalls and supporting and related appurtenances, on land in Hancock County, Mississippi.

(3) (a) The Hancock County Equine and Livestock Facility Board is created for the purpose of administering and managing the Hancock County facility described in subsection (1)(b) of this section, and it shall consist of the following members: (i) Three (3) members appointed by the North Hancock Business and Professional Organization; (ii) One (1) member appointed by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors; (iii) One (1) member appointed by the Hancock County Riding Club; (iv) One (1) member appointed by the Hancock County 4-H Clubs; and (v) One (1) member appointed by the South Mississippi Thoroughbred Association. On the effective date of House Bill No. 1399, 2000 Regular Session, the terms of the members of the board created in this subsection shall expire and the board shall be abolished.

(b) No funds derived from the issuance of the general obligation bonds under subsection (1)(b) of this section may be used to purchase land on which to construct the Hancock County equine and livestock facility.

(c) Until the effective date of House Bill No. 1399, 2000 Regular Session, the Hancock County Equine and Livestock Facility Board is authorized to accept, and any county or municipality or governmental subdivision thereof, is authorized to contribute, funds or property to defray any expenses of the project described in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the furnishing or pledging of public resources to such project, including buildings, facilities, equipment, land and employees. Further, the board is authorized to accept grants and contributions from the United States government and any private entity.

(4) (a) Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of the general obligation bonds authorized by subsection (1)(a) of this section, the department shall deliver

a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the State Bond Commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(b) Upon the submission to the Department of Finance and Administration of (i) plans outlining the construction of the Hancock County facility referred to in subsection (1)(b) of this section and the manner in which the bonds to be issued under this act will assist in such construction; and (ii) a business plan describing the manner in which the operation and maintenance of the Hancock County facility will be conducted, the department may approve such plans and adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for the issuance of the general obligation bonds authorized by subsection (1)(a) of this section. Upon the adoption of such a resolution by the department, the department shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.