Senate Bill 2509

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN A PERMANENT MEMORIAL FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS; TO CREATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS TRUST FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO SOLICIT PRIVATE DONATIONS FOR SUCH FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be constructed and maintained an appropriate memorial in recognition of those who have died in motor vehicle accidents when adequate funds for the construction thereof are deposited in Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund herein created.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall:

(a) Plan and provide for the design, construction and dedication of the motor vehicle accident victims monument. The actual design and site of the monument shall be selected with the approval of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

(b) Solicit private monetary donations for deposit into the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund.

(c) Report to the Legislature by November 15 of each year on the progress of such monument. In addition to the report required in the preceding sentence, the department shall submit an annual report on its activities no later than November of each year to the Transportation Committees of both the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate.

(3) The Mississippi Department of Transportation is hereby authorized to accept gifts, grants and donations from individuals and organizations, to be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury. The State Treasurer shall invest all monies in the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury. The State Treasurer shall invest all monies in the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund and any interest earned shall be deposited into the fund. All appropriated funds and funds deposited in the Motor Vehicle Accident Victims Monument Trust Fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of designing, erecting, maintaining and dedication of the monument. Any monies remaining unexpended or unencumbered in the fund upon completion of the monument shall be used for maintenance of the monument.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.