House Bill 991

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSES OF STUDYING DEVELOPMENT POSSIBILITIES AND ALTERNATIVES FOR THE PROPERTY FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND TO CONSIDER THE DISPOSAL OF ANY STATE PROPERTY DEEMED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO BE SURPLUS PROPERTY; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIGN TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CERTAIN STATE-OWNED PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE "OLD VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS BUILDING" LOCATED IN THE CITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a joint committee of the Legislature for the purpose of studying development possibilities and alternatives for the real property owned by the State of Mississippi and formerly occupied by the Mississippi School for the Blind. The joint committee shall consider the best interests of nearby neighborhoods, the Mississippi School for the Blind and preservation thereof in making its report. The joint committee shall also study and consider the disposal of any state property determined by the Department of Finance and Administration to be surplus property. The joint committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and five (5) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. The joint committee shall report to the House of Representatives and the Senate by January 5, 2007, as to its findings and upon presentation of such report the joint committee shall be dissolved.

Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the enactment of this act; and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, the committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the joint committee from each house shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held. Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

(2) No action shall be taken with respect to any sale, lease or development of the real property described in subsection (1) of this section without specific legislative act.

SECTION 2. The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to assign to the State Department of Health certain state-owned property known as the "Old Veterinary Diagnostics Building" located at 2531 North West Street in the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, until completion and occupancy of the new health facility.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.