MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Posey, Carmichael, Jackson

AN ACT TO CREATE THE SOUTHERN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND FOR THE CENTER, MONIES IN WHICH SHALL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CENTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center (hereinafter "center"), located in Meridian, Mississippi, under the direction and supervision of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The purpose of the center shall be to provide an educational, entertaining and interactive facility to illustrate the unique culture of the State of Mississippi or other southern states; to illustrate the outstanding contributions of Mississippians to the arts and the field of entertainment; and to provide family-oriented attractions in the delivery of an educational experience to citizens of, and visitors to, Mississippi.

(2) The Southern Arts and Entertainment Center shall consist of a conference center, a performing arts theater, an amphitheater and an artists' village. The center shall conduct ongoing events such as induction into an arts and entertainment hall of fame, seminars, workshops and demonstrations by guest artists.

(3) For the construction, operation and support of the center, the center may receive contributions, donations of land or other property, gifts, bequests of money, other forms of financial assistance and property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations, and other sources, public or private, to be expended and utilized in carrying out the mission of the center.

(4) All expenditures for the center shall be paid by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer, and he shall issue his warrants upon requisition signed by the director of the center.

(5) The duties and objectives of the center shall be:

(a) To stimulate and encourage throughout the state the study and presentation of the performing, visual, and literary arts and public interest and participation therein;

(b) To encourage participation in, appreciation of, and education in the arts to meet the legitimate needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state;

(c) To take such steps as may be necessary and appropriate to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Mississippi and the south to expand the state's cultural resources, and to promote the use of art in state government's activities and facilities;

(d) To encourage excellence and assist freedom of artistic expression essential for the well being of the arts; and (e) To administer the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center and to acquire land and property in order to construct and administer the center.

SECTION 2. (1) The Southern Arts and Entertainment Center under the direction and supervision of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is authorized and empowered to hold public hearings, to enter into contracts within the limit of funds available therefor, with individuals, organizations and institutions for services furthering the objectives of the center's programs; to enter into contracts, within the limit of funds available therefor, with local and regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering the objectives of the center's programs; to accept gifts, contributions and bequests of unrestricted funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations or institutions for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the center's programs; to make and sign any agreements and to do and perform any acts that may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The center may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state such assistance and data as will enable it to properly carry out its powers and duties hereunder.

(2) Any monies made available by public or private transfers of property, public or private donations or bequests, public or private foundation grants for the benefit of the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center shall be deposited into the Southern Fund for the Arts and Entertainment Center, a special fund which is created in the state treasury to be administered by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. All funds deposited in this fund shall be used exclusively for the construction and administration of the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the state general fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund.

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