MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Morris

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-80-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF USING CENSUS DATA TO DETERMINE CERTAIN CRITERIA UNDER THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT, THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL USE THE OFFICIAL DATA COMPILED BY THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU AS OF AUGUST 30, 2000, OR THE OFFICIAL 2000 CENSUS, WHICHEVER IS THE MORE RECENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 57-80-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-80-7. (1) From and after December 31, 2000, and until December 31, 2005, the following counties may apply to the MDA for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity:

(a) Any county of this state which has an annualized unemployment rate that is at least two hundred percent (200%) of the state's unemployment rate as of December 31 of any year from 2000 through 2005, as determined by the Mississippi Employment Security Commission's most recently published data;

(b) Any county of this state in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population of the county is at or below the federal poverty level according to the * * * official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau as of August 30, 2000, or the official 2000 census, whichever is the more recent; or

(c) Any county of this state having an eligible supervisors district.

(2) The application, at a minimum, must contain (a) the Mississippi Employment Security Commission's most recently published figures that reflect the annualized unemployment rate of the applying county as of December 31 or the most recent official data by the United States Census Bureau required by subsection (1) of this section, as the case may be, and (b) an order or resolution of the county consenting to the designation of the county as a growth and prosperity county.

(3) Any municipality of a designated growth and prosperity county or within an eligible supervisors district and not more than eight (8) miles from the boundary of the county that meets the criteria of subsection (1)(b) of this section may by order or resolution of the municipality consent to participation in the Growth and Prosperity Program.

(4) No incentive or tax exemption shall be given under this chapter without the consent of the affected county or municipality.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.