MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 5th Extraordinary Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Hines, Bailey, Banks, Blackmon, Broomfield, Buck, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Dickson, Ellis, Evans, Fleming, Gibbs, Harrison, Holloway, Huddleston, Middleton, Myers, Perkins, Robinson (63rd), Scott, Straughter, Thomas, Burnett, Calhoun, Espy
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE ANY AGENT ENGAGED IN OR IN CHARGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANY STATE OR PUBLIC BUILDING OR PUBLIC WORK FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI USING FUNDS AUTHORIZED FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RECONSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR RENOVATION, IN ITS DISCRETION, TO SET ASIDE NOT MORE THAN 40% OF SUCH FUNDS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Every officer, contractor, superintendent, or agent engaged in or in charge of the construction of any state or public building or public work for the State of Mississippi using funds authorized and made available for reconstruction,
construction, repair or renovation of properties affected by Hurricane Katrina is authorized, in its discretion, to set aside not more than forty percent (40%) of such funds for expenditure with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 USCS, Section 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; except that women shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for the purposes of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.