House Bill NO. 1637

By Senator(s) Committee

SECTION 1. Sections 1 through 18 of this act may be cited as the "Mississippi Cultural Development Act."

SECTION 2. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "Building Fund for the Arts" is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. The fund shall consist of any money designated for deposit therein from any source, including, but not limited to, any state general obligation bonds issued for the purposes described in this section. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Money deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Mississippi Arts Commission, to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and units of local government to pay the costs of (i) repair, upgrading, expansion, renovation or enhancement of existing buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms, and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities, or (ii) the purchase or other acquisition of motion picture or video equipment for use in production activities, including payments made to retire interest-bearing loans used to purchase a motion picture sound stage. The entity to which such grants are made shall provide matching funds from local, federal or private sources equal to forty percent (40%) of the proposed project cost in order to be eligible for a grant under this section.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Mississippi Arts Commission shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(3) The Mississippi Arts Commission is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of money deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration upon request of the Mississippi Arts Commission, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission or his or her designee.

(4) The Mississippi Arts Commission shall adopt necessary rules and regulations to govern the administration of the program described in subsection (1) of this section, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations governing applications for grants and rules and regulations providing for the distribution of grant funds. The Mississippi Arts Commission shall comply with the provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

SECTION 3. As used in Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(c) "Commission" means the State Bond Commission.

SECTION 4. (1) The Mississippi Arts Commission, 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 for the grant program authorized in Section 2 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Arts Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Mississippi Arts Commission shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the 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. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deposited into the Building Fund for the Arts created pursuant to Section 2 of this act. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

SECTION 5. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

SECTION 6. The bonds authorized by Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 7. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

SECTION 8. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one (1) time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

SECTION 9. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

SECTION 10. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 2 of this act. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this act, the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

SECTION 11. The bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 3 through 18 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

SECTION 12. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

SECTION 13. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 3 through 18 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

SECTION 14. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

SECTION 15. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 16. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 17. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

SECTION 18. Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 19. The Legislature recognizes that the heritage of Mississippi is reflected in the historic courthouses, schools, and other historic properties located in communities across the state. The Legislature further recognizes that the preservation, restoration and interpretation of these historic properties is of great cultural, educational and economic importance to Mississippi.

SECTION 20. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.

(b) "Certified local government" means a county or municipality in the State of Mississippi that has established its own historic preservation commission and program meeting federal and state standards and has obtained certification of such action from the Department of Archives and History and the National Park Service.

(c) "Interpretation" means an historical exhibit design, interpretive or commemorative marker or monument, publication, program, or other instructional techniques that present and interpret history from broad cultural and ethnic perspectives.

(d) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) A special fund, to be designated the "Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. The fund shall consist of any monies designated for deposit therein from any source, including proceeds of any state general obligation bonds issued for the purposes described in this section. 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 or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into the fund. The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Monies deposited into such fund shall be allocated and disbursed according to the provisions of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 21 through 36 of this act and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(3) Monies deposited into the fund shall be allocated and disbursed as grants on a reimbursable basis through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service in helping pay the costs incurred in preserving, restoring, rehabilitating, repairing or interpreting (a) historic county courthouses, (b) historic school buildings, and/or (c) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Where possible, expenditures from the fund shall be used to match federal grants or other grants that may be accessed by the Department of Archives and History, other state agencies, county governments or municipal governments, school districts or nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service. Any properties receiving monies pursuant to this section must be designated as "Mississippi Landmark" properties prior to selection as projects for funding under the provisions of this section.

(4) The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service for projects associated with the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, repair or interpretation of (a) historic courthouses, (b) historic school buildings and/or, (c) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board. The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section.

(5) The Department of Archives and History shall publicize the Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program described in this section on a statewide basis, including the publication of the criteria and standards used by the department in selecting projects for funding. The selection of a project for funding under the provisions of this section shall be made solely upon the deliberate consideration of each proposed project on its merits. The board shall make every effort to award the grants in a manner that will fairly distribute the funds in regard to the geography and cultural diversity of the state.

(6) With regard to any project awarded funding under this section, any consultant, planner, architect, engineer, exhibit contracting firm, historic preservation specialist or other professional hired by a grant recipient to work on any such project shall be approved by the board before their employment by the grant recipient.

(7) Plans and specifications for all projects initiated under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the board before the awarding of any contracts. The plans and specifications for any work involving "Mississippi Landmark" properties shall be developed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

SECTION 21. As used in Sections 21 through 36 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(c) "Commission" means the State Bond Commission.

SECTION 22. (1) The commission, 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 for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 20 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the 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. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00). The bonds authorized under Sections 21 through 36 of this act may not be issued after July 1, 2004.

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 20 of this act.

(3) Any investment earnings on the proceeds of bonds deposited into the special fund created in Section 20 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 21 through 36 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

SECTION 23. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

SECTION 24. The bonds authorized by Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 25. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 21 through 36 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

SECTION 26. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 21 through 36 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 21 through 36 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 21 through 36 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

SECTION 27. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

SECTION 28. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 20 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

SECTION 29. The bonds authorized under Sections 21 through 36 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 21 through 36 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

SECTION 30. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 21 through 36 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

SECTION 31. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 21 through 36 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 21 through 36 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

SECTION 32. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

SECTION 33. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 21 through 36 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 34. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 35. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 21 through 36 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

SECTION 36. Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 21 through 36 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 37. As used in Sections 37 through 54 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bond means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "Commission" means the State Bond Commission.

(c) "Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.

SECTION 38. (1) A special fund, to be designated the "2001 Entertainment and Film Center and Museum and Sound Stage Complex Fund" is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund. The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Monies deposited into such fund shall be allocated and disbursed according to the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act.

(2) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the following projects:

(a) Development, construction, equipping and furnishing an entertainment and film center and museum to be located in the Hickory Street Historic District in Canton, Mississippi;

(b) Completion of a sound stage project located in the City of Canton.

(3) Monies in the fund shall be allocated and disbursed through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to pay the costs associated with each project as follows:

(a) For the project specified in subsection (2)(a) of this section, (i) the cost of development, construction, equipping and furnishing a film center and museum to be located in the Hickory Street Historic District in Canton, Mississippi; and (ii) the hiring of consultants, preplanners, architects, engineers, exhibit contracting firms and any other museum professionals.

(b) For the project specified in subsection (2)(b) of this section, the costs necessary to complete a sound stage complex in Canton, Mississippi.

(4) (a) With regard to any project described in this section, any consultant, preplanner, architect, engineer, exhibit contracting firm, historic preservation specialist or other museum professional hired by the Department of Finance and Administration to work on the project shall be selected from a list of such professionals that has been composed and submitted to the Department of Finance and Administration by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.

(b) With regard to the project described in subsection

(2)(b), the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall determine the amount necessary to complete the project and disburse such amount to the proper entity.

(5) The Department of Finance and Administration, at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditures of funds from the 2001 Entertainment and Film Center and Museum and Sound Stage Complex Fund under this section.

(6) Plans and specifications for all projects initiated under the provisions of subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History before the awarding of any contracts. The plans and specifications for any work involving Mississippi landmark properties shall be developed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

SECTION 39. (1) Upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, 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 for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 38 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration 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. The amount of bonds issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act after July 1, 2005.

(2) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in Section 38 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(3) Upon the completion or abandonment of all projects described in Section 38 of this act, as evidenced by a resolution adopted by the Department of Finance and Administration certifying that all such projects have been completed or abandoned, the balance, if any, remaining in the 2001 Entertainment and Film Center and Museum and Sound Stage Complex Fund shall be promptly applied to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds.

SECTION 40. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Section 39 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission.

SECTION 41. The bonds authorized by Section 39 of this act shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 42. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 37 through 54 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

SECTION 43. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Section 39 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 39 through 54 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bond shall be published at least one (1) time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 37 through 54 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

SECTION 44. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

SECTION 45. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 38 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

SECTION 46. The bonds authorized under Sections 37 through 54 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 37 through 54 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

SECTION 47. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 37 through 54 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

SECTION 48. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 37 through 54 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 37 through 54 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

SECTION 49. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

SECTION 50. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37 through 54 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 51. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 52. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 37 through 54 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

SECTION 53. The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall file a report on July 1, 2001, with the Department of Finance and Administration that describes in detail the progress that has been made in implementing the projects authorized by Sections 37 through 54 of this act. A report for each fiscal year shall be filed annually on July 1, until all funds required for the projects described in Sections 37 through 54 of this act have been expended.

SECTION 54. Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 37 through 54 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 55. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE DESIGNATED AS THE "BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS"; TO AUTHORIZE MONEY FROM ANY SOURCE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MONEY DEPOSITED INTO THE FUND SHALL BE DISBURSED, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION, TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OR UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, TO PAY THE COSTS OF REPAIR, UPGRADING, EXPANSION, RENOVATION OR ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS OR FACILITIES FOR THE PRESENTATION, TEACHING OR EXHIBITION OF THE ARTS AND FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND/OR TECHNOLOGY FOR SUCH BUILDINGS OR FACILITIES, OR THE COSTS OF THE PURCHASE OF MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE RETIREMENT OF LOANS USED TO PURCHASE A MOTION PICTURE SOUND STAGE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ENTITY TO WHICH SUCH GRANTS ARE MADE SHALL PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS EQUAL TO 40% OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT COST IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $6,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC COUNTY COURTHOUSES IN MISSISSIPPI, FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN MISSISSIPPI, AND FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE TO MISSISSIPPI CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED BY THOSE GOVERNMENTS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000.00 FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING AN ENTERTAINMENT AND FILM CENTER AND MUSEUM AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN THE COST OF COMPLETING A SOUND STAGE IN CANTON, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.