House Bill 1273

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, ACING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, TO SELL CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE MATTY HERSEE HOSPITAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting on behalf of the Department of Mental Health, upon meeting the requirements of Section 29-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, may sell and convey all or part of certain state-owned real property and any improvements located thereon located in Lauderdale County, in the City of Meridian, Mississippi, commonly known a the Matty Hersee Hospital, the property being more particularly described as follows:

The SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Section 11 and the E 1/4 of the NE 1/2 and the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 14, all in Township 6 North, Range 15 East, containing 160 acres, more or less.

(2) The real property described in subsection (1) of this section shall be sold for not less than the current fair market value as determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by qualified appraisers who shall be selected by the Department of Finance and Administration and shall be certified and licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. However, if no bid is received which is equal to the current market value, the property may be sold at auction to the highest bidder.

(3) Any funds received by the State of Mississippi for the sale and conveyance of the real property described in subsection (1) of the section shall be deposited into the East Mississippi State Hospital Fund, Department of Mental Health.

(4) The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property sold and conveyed under this act.

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