House Bill 294

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM SHALL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY REGARDING THE MUSEUM; TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM FUND"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Legislature recognizes a need for a civil rights museum in Mississippi to promote the educational and social development of Mississippians and to honor those persons who have made significant contributions toward the advancement of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States. The Legislature further recognizes that a civil rights museum would be of great economic and cultural importance to Mississippi.

SECTION 2. (1) A facility to house the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum shall be located on state property at a location recommended by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.

(2) (a) The museum shall be under the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.

(b) The duties and powers of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall include, in addition to other duties and powers granted or prescribed by law, the following:

(i) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the operation of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum;

(ii) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the acquisition of furniture and furnishings, including but not limited to paintings and objects of art and the acquisition of documents for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

(iii) To promote the donation, bequest, devise or loaning of money or property, real or personal, from any agency of the United States, state or local government, any person, firm, corporation, association or group, for the purpose of the operation, administration and maintenance of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum;

(iv) To acquire, preserve, restore or operate any real or personal property deemed significant for historical, architectural or cultural reasons, to expend funds for such purposes, to enter into contracts or agreements with any agency of the United States or any person, firm, corporation or association for the purpose of the operation, administration and maintenance of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and to do any and all things which may be necessary or desirable to carry out such purpose; and

(v) To review and approve any major changes in the architecture, furnishings, objects of art and other matters effecting the repair, preservation, operation, maintenance or protection of property of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

SECTION 3. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Fund," is created in 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 special fund shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(b) Monies in the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of designing, constructing and maintaining the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

(2) The Department of Finance and Administration shall proceed with the planning, construction, furnishing and equipping of a facility to house the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum as soon as practicable.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.