HB1634 - Conference Report

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bond means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2006 Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

Alcorn State University......................... $ 2,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

dining facility..............$ 2,000,000.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 1,600,000.00

Phase II of structure,

repair and renovation

of John W. Dixon Hall........$1,600,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University............. $ 2,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

the business school..........$ 2,000,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration........ $ 18,300,000.00

Completion of the

Sillers/Justice block........$18,300,000.00

Mississippi Department of Information

Technology Services........................... $ 17,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a cooperative

data center and a building to

house the Mississippi Department

of Information Technology Services

and related tenant build-out

and moving expenses..........$17,500,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $ 41,400,000.00

(b) (i) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(ii) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this subsection. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(d) Any amounts allocated to an agency or institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency or institution of higher learning that are described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be used for general repairs and renovations at the agency or institution of higher learning to which such amount is allocated.

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(4) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(5) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(6) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(7) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

(8) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(10) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(11) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(12) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(13) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(16) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(17) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund to be designated as the "2006 Mississippi State-Owned Buildings and Community and Junior College Repair and Renovation Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Money deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of repair and renovation of state-owned buildings and facilities, repair and renovation of buildings and repair and renovation of buildings and facilities at community and junior colleges; however, of the money deposited into the fund, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be allocated to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000.00) shall be allocated to Pearl River Community College, and Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00) shall be allocated to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(3) (a) (i) A special fund to be designated as the "2006 IHL Emergency Repair and Renovation Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of repair and renovation of buildings and facilities at state institutions of higher learning.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(4) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Thirty-five Million Dollars ($35,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section from and after July 1, 2010.

(b) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(i) The 2006 Mississippi State-Owned Buildings and Community and Junior College Repair and Renovation Fund created in subsection (2) of this section................................................ $17,500,000.00.

(ii) The 2006 IHL Repair and Renovation Fund created in subsection (3) of this section................................. $17,500,000.00.

(c) Any investment earnings on amount deposited into the special funds created in this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(5) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(6) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(7) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(8) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

(9) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(10) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in subsections (2) and (3) of this section in the amounts provided for in subsection (4)(b) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(11) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(12) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(13) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(14) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(15) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(16) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(17) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(18) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 3. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the state's portion of the cost share for public assistance under the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, for hurricane or other storm damage to public facilities and infrastructure as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. In the event that other funds are made available for the purposes described in this subsection, the commission may elect to reduce the amount of bonds authorized to be issued under this section by the amounts so received. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Fifty-one Million Dollars ($51,000,000.00). No bonds authorized under This section shall be issued after January 1, 2010.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund created pursuant to Section 33-15-307.

(3) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(4) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(5) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by This section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(6) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

(7) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund created pursuant to Section 33-15-307. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(9) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(10) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(11) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(12) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(15) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(16) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 4. Section 33-15-307, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

33-15-307. (1) The provisions of this article shall be invoked only pursuant to a state of emergency declared by the Governor or an emergency or major disaster declared by the President, or pursuant to an executive order of the Governor, or administrative order of the director, in order to provide state or local government resources and personnel in compliance with the provisions of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Section 45-18-1 et seq., or in nondeclared times for administrative and training costs associated with state disaster response and recovery programs. Each declaration shall cite the cause for the declaration and define the area eligible for assistance and the type of assistance to be provided.

(2) The Disaster Assistance Trust Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury into which shall be paid any funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature for disaster assistance, any funds transferred from the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund as provided under subsection (5) of this section, any income from investment of the funds in the trust fund, and federal reimbursement for administrative costs for management of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), the Public Assistance Program, the Hazard Mitigation Program and Disaster Reservist Program.

(3) Income from investment of the funds in the trust fund, and all other funds deposited therein pursuant to law, shall be available for expenditure, transfer and allocation pursuant to this article.

(4) The Disaster Assistance Trust Fund shall be used only for the following purposes:

(a) The state's portion of the cost share for public assistance under a major disaster declaration.

(b) The state's cost share of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) pursuant to Section 33-15-209(1) under a major disaster declared by the President.

(d) Administrative costs for managing the Public Assistance Program.

(e) The State Temporary Housing Program pursuant to Section 33-15-217 under a state of emergency declared by the Governor.

(f) Out-of-pocket expenses, including travel, per diem, overtime and other similar expenses, of state or local agencies when so tasked by the Governor or the director for emergency response under the provisions of Section 33-15-11(b)(7) and current executive orders. This includes actual emergency response and recovery activities, and applies to mobilization and deployment of state or local agencies to another state under the provisions of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

(g) Costs incurred as a result of state active duty for the Mississippi National Guard when so tasked by the Governor to provide support to other agencies and local governments in a major disaster or emergency situation, or when tasked by the Governor to provide support to another state under the provisions of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

(h) The state's portion of the cost share for hazard mitigation under a major disaster declaration.

(i) Administrative costs of the Hazard Mitigation Program.

(j) Costs incurred as a result of the implementation of the Disaster Reservist Program under a major disaster declaration.

(k) Administrative costs of the Disaster Reservist Program.

(l) Costs incurred as a result of the implementation of public assistance, and/or individual assistance, and/or Disaster Reservist Program, and/or hazard mitigation, and/or temporary housing under a Governor's state of emergency.

(m) The state's portion of the cost share for public assistance under a major disaster declaration for tornado or other storm damage to public facilities and infrastructure occurring on November 10, 2002, as provided in Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 3, Third Extraordinary Session 2002.

(n) Actual costs, including personnel call-back wages, base and overtime wages, travel, per diem and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by regional response teams as a result of being mobilized or deployed when so tasked by the Governor pursuant to Section 33-15-11(b)(7), or by the director for emergency response pursuant to Section 33-15-15(a).

(o) The state's portion of the cost share for public assistance under the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, for hurricane or other storm damage to public facilities and infrastructure as a result of Hurricane Katrina, as provided in Section 3 of House Bill No. 1634, 2006 Regular Session.

(5) Whenever the director determines that funds are immediately needed in the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund to provide for disaster assistance under this article, he shall notify the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration of his determination and shall requisition the amount of funds from the Working Cash-Stabilization Fund that are needed in the trust fund, which shall be subject to the limitations set forth below in this subsection. At the same time he makes the requisition, the director shall notify the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the respective Chairmen of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee of his determination of the need for the funds and the amount that he has requisitioned. Upon receipt of such a requisition from the director, the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall ascertain if the amount requisitioned is available in the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund and is within the limitations set forth below in this subsection and, if it is, he shall transfer that amount from the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund to the trust fund. If the amount requisitioned is more than the amount available in the Working Cash-Stabilization Fund or above the limitations set forth below in this subsection, the executive director shall transfer the amount that is available within the limitations. The maximum amount that may be transferred from the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund to the trust fund for any one (1) disaster occurrence shall be Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) and the maximum amount that may be transferred during any fiscal year shall be One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(6) Unexpended state funds in the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund but shall remain in the trust fund for use under this article for as long as the funds are needed for the particular purpose for which they were appropriated, deposited or transferred into the trust fund. After any state funds in the trust fund are no longer needed for the particular purpose for which they were appropriated, deposited or transferred into the trust fund, the director may use those funds for any other purpose under this article for which they currently are needed and for which other funds are not available. If there is no current need for such funds for any purpose under this article, the funds and the income earned from the investment of the funds shall be transferred back to the particular fund or funds in the State Treasury from which they were appropriated or transferred into the trust fund, upon certification of the director to the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration that the funds are not currently needed; however, if such funds are derived from the proceeds of general obligation bonds issued by the state under Section 3 of House Bill No. 1634, 2006 Regular Session, such excess funds and the income earned from such funds shall be utilized to pay the debt service on such bonds.

SECTION 5. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2006 Southern Arts and Entertainment Center Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Money deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of construction, furnishing, equipping and repairs and renovations at the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center created in Section 39-25-1.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(3) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsection (2) of this section. No bonds shall be issued under this section until the Department of Finance and Administration is provided proof that the matching funds described in this subsection from private sources have been irrevocably dedicated and are readily available to the project in the amount of not less than Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000.00). The matching funds may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions or any combination of cash or in-kind contributions. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring that funds have been irrevocably dedicated and are readily available in the required amount and declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the department shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section from and after July 1, 2010.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one (1) time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 6. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "Commission" means the State Bond Commission.

(c) "Project" means an economic development and tourism destination facility in Hancock County, Mississippi, that will feature a space, science and education center. The title to the project facilities is to be vested in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(d) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(e) "Authority" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(2) The authority may use the proceeds from general obligation bonds issued under this section for the project as it considers necessary to further the project.

(3) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "Infinity Space, Science and Education Center Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the authority, to pay the costs incurred for the construction, furnishing and equipping the project.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the project. If any monies in the special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into such fund, then the authority shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the project shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission. Before monies in the special fund may be used for the project, the authority shall require that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration enter into binding commitments regarding at least the following:

(i) That a certain minimum number of jobs will be created over a certain period of time as determined by the authority (which jobs must be held by persons eligible for employment in the United States under applicable state and federal law); and

(ii) That if any such commitments are not satisfied, an amount equal to all or a portion of the funds provided by the state under this section as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(4) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsection (3) of this section. No bonds shall be issued under this section until the authority is provided proof that the funds from private, local or federal sources have been irrevocably dedicated to the project in the amount of not less than Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00). Upon the adoption of a resolution by the authority, declaring that funds have been irrevocably dedicated in the required amount and declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the authority shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2010.

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (3) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(5) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty (20) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(9) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature for such purposes are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(10) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (3) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the authority under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(15) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(16) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes provided in this section, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 7. Section 57-75-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-75-5. Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have meanings as follows, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) "Act" means the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Act as originally enacted or as hereafter amended.

(b) "Authority" means the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority created pursuant to the act.

(c) "Bonds" means general obligation bonds, interim notes and other evidences of debt of the State of Mississippi issued pursuant to this chapter.

(d) "Facility related to the project" means and includes any of the following, as the same may pertain to the project within the project area: (i) facilities to provide potable and industrial water supply systems, sewage and waste disposal systems and water, natural gas and electric transmission systems to the site of the project; (ii) airports, airfields and air terminals; (iii) rail lines; (iv) port facilities; (v) highways, streets and other roadways; (vi) public school buildings, classrooms and instructional facilities, training facilities and equipment, including any functionally related facilities; (vii) parks, outdoor recreation facilities and athletic facilities; (viii) auditoriums, pavilions, campgrounds, art centers, cultural centers, folklore centers and other public facilities; (ix) health care facilities, public or private; and (x) fire protection facilities, equipment and elevated water tanks.

(e) "Person" means any natural person, corporation, association, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary, governmental unit, public agency, political subdivision, or any other group acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular.

(f) "Project" means:

(i) Any industrial, commercial, research and development, warehousing, distribution, transportation, processing, mining, United States government or tourism enterprise together with all real property required for construction, maintenance and operation of the enterprise with an initial capital investment of not less than Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00) from private or United States government sources together with all buildings, and other supporting land and facilities, structures or improvements of whatever kind required or useful for construction, maintenance and operation of the enterprise; or with an initial capital investment of not less than One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00) from private or United States government sources together with all buildings and other supporting land and facilities, structures or improvements of whatever kind required or useful for construction, maintenance and operation of the enterprise and which creates at least one thousand (1,000) net new full-time jobs; or which creates at least one thousand (1,000) net new full-time jobs which provides an average salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxation, of at least one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the most recently published average annual wage of the state as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. "Project" shall include any addition to or expansion of an existing enterprise if such addition or expansion has an initial capital investment of not less than Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00) from private or United States government sources, or has an initial capital investment of not less than One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00) from private or United States government sources together with all buildings and other supporting land and facilities, structures or improvements of whatever kind required or useful for construction, maintenance and operation of the enterprise and which creates at least one thousand (1,000) net new full-time jobs; or which creates at least one thousand (1,000) net new full-time jobs which provides an average salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxation, of at least one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the most recently published average annual wage of the state as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. "Project" shall also include any ancillary development or business resulting from the enterprise, of which the authority is notified, within three (3) years from the date that the enterprise entered into commercial production, that the project area has been selected as the site for the ancillary development or business.

(ii) 1. Any major capital project designed to improve, expand or otherwise enhance any active duty or reserve United States armed services bases and facilities or any major Mississippi National Guard training installations, their support areas or their military operations, upon designation by the authority that any such base was or is at risk to be recommended for closure or realignment pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, as amended, or other applicable federal law; or any major development project determined by the authority to be necessary to acquire or improve base properties and to provide employment opportunities through construction of projects as defined in Section 57-3-5, which shall be located on or provide direct support service or access to such military installation property in the event of closure or reduction of military operations at the installation.

2. Any major study or investigation related to such a facility, installation or base, upon a determination by the authority that the study or investigation is critical to the expansion, retention or reuse of the facility, installation or base.

3. Any project as defined in Section 57-3-5, any business or enterprise determined to be in the furtherance of the public purposes of this act as determined by the authority or any facility related to such project each of which shall be, directly or indirectly, related to any military base or other military-related facility no longer operated by the United States armed services or the Mississippi National Guard.

(iii) Any enterprise to be maintained, improved or constructed in Tishomingo County by or for a National Aeronautics and Space Administration facility in such county.

(iv) 1. Any major capital project with an initial capital investment from private sources of not less than Seven Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($750,000,000.00) which will create at least three thousand (3,000) jobs meeting criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority.

2. "Project" shall also include any ancillary development or business resulting from an enterprise operating a project as defined in item 1 of this paragraph (f)(iv), of which the authority is notified, within three (3) years from the date that the enterprise entered into commercial production, that the state has been selected as the site for the ancillary development or business.

(v) Any manufacturing, processing or industrial project determined by the authority, in its sole discretion, to contribute uniquely and significantly to the economic growth and development of the state, and which meets the following criteria:

1. The project shall create at least two thousand (2,000) net new full-time jobs meeting criteria established by the authority, which criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the requirement that such jobs must be held by persons eligible for employment in the United States under applicable state and federal law.

2. The project and any facility related to the project shall include a total investment from private sources of not less than Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000.00), or from any combination of sources of not less than Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000.00).

(vi) Any real property owned or controlled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States government, or any agency thereof, which is legally conveyed to the State of Mississippi or to the State of Mississippi for the benefit of the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority, its successors and assigns pursuant to Section 212 of Public Law 104-99, enacted January 26, 1996 (110 Stat. 26 at 38).

(vii) Any major capital project related to the establishment, improvement, expansion and/or other enhancement of any active duty military installation and having a minimum capital investment from any source or combination of sources other than the State of Mississippi of at least Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00), and which will create at least four hundred (400) military installation related full-time jobs, which jobs may be military jobs, civilian jobs or a combination of military and civilian jobs. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that the minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met not later than July 1, 2008.

(viii) Any major capital project with an initial capital investment from any source or combination of sources of not less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) which will create at least eighty (80) full-time jobs which provide an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the most recently published average annual wage of the state or the most recently published average annual wage of the county in which the project is located as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, whichever is the lesser. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met, and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(ix) Any regional retail shopping mall with an initial capital investment from private sources in excess of One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00), with a square footage in excess of eight hundred thousand (800,000) square feet, which will create at least seven hundred (700) full-time jobs with an average hourly wage of Eleven Dollars ($11.00) per hour. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met, and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(x) Any major capital project with an initial capital investment from any source or combination of sources of not less than Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00) which will create at least one hundred twenty-five (125) full-time jobs which provide an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the most recently published average annual wage of the state or the most recently published average annual wage of the county in which the project is located as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, whichever is the greater. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xi) Any potential major capital project that the authority has determined is feasible to recruit.

(xii) Any project built according to the specifications and federal provisions set forth by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Center Operations Directorate at Stennis Space Center for the purpose of consolidating common services from National Aeronautics and Space Administration centers in human resources, procurement, financial management and information technology located on land owned or controlled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which will create at least four hundred seventy (470) full-time jobs.

(xiii) Any major capital project with an initial capital investment from any source or combination of sources of not less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) which will create at least two hundred fifty (250) full-time jobs. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xiv) Any major pharmaceutical facility with a capital investment of not less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) made after July 1, 2002, through four (4) years after the initial date of any loan or grant made by the authority for such project, which will maintain at least seven hundred fifty (750) full-time employees. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xv) Any pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging and distribution facility with an initial capital investment from any local or federal sources of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) which will create at least ninety (90) full-time jobs. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xvi) Any major industrial wood processing facility with an initial capital investment of not less than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) which will create at least one hundred twenty-five (125) full-time jobs which provide an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00). The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xvii) Any technical, engineering, manufacturing-logistic service provider with an initial capital investment of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) which will create at least ninety (90) full-time jobs. The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xviii) Any major capital project with an initial capital investment from any source or combination of sources other than the State of Mississippi of not less than Six Hundred Million Dollars ($600,000,000.00) which will create at least four hundred fifty (450) full-time jobs with an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00). The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met, and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(xix) Any major coal and/or petroleum coke gasification project with an initial capital investment from any source or combination of sources other than the State of Mississippi of not less than Eight Hundred Million Dollars ($800,000,000.00), which will create at least two hundred (200) full-time jobs with an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00). The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The minimum requirements for the project provided for in this subparagraph shall be met; and

2. That if such commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by the state for the project as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(g) "Project area" means the project site, together with any area or territory within the state lying within sixty-five (65) miles of any portion of the project site whether or not such area or territory be contiguous; however, for the project defined in paragraph (f)(iv) of this section the term "project area" means any area or territory within the state. The project area shall also include all territory within a county if any portion of such county lies within sixty-five (65) miles of any portion of the project site. "Project site" means the real property on which the principal facilities of the enterprise will operate.

(h) "Public agency" means:

(i) Any department, board, commission, institution or other agency or instrumentality of the state;

(ii) Any city, town, county, political subdivision, school district or other district created or existing under the laws of the state or any public agency of any such city, town, county, political subdivision or district or any other public entity created or existing under local and private legislation;

(iii) Any department, commission, agency or instrumentality of the United States of America; and

(iv) Any other state of the United States of America which may be cooperating with respect to location of the project within the state, or any agency thereof.

(i) "State" means State of Mississippi.

(j) "Fee-in-lieu" means a negotiated fee to be paid by the project in lieu of any franchise taxes imposed on the project by Chapter 13, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972. The fee-in-lieu shall not be less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) annually. A fee-in-lieu may be negotiated with an enterprise operating an existing project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1; however, a fee-in-lieu shall not be negotiated for other existing enterprises that fall within the definition of the term "project."

SECTION 8. Section 57-75-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-75-15. (1) Upon notification to the authority by the enterprise that the state has been finally selected as the site for the project, the State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized and directed, upon receipt of a declaration from the authority as hereinafter provided, to borrow money and issue general obligation bonds of the state in one or more series for the purposes herein set out. Upon such notification, the authority may thereafter from time to time declare the necessity for the issuance of general obligation bonds as authorized by this section and forward such declaration to the State Bond Commission, provided that before such notification, the authority may enter into agreements with the United States government, private companies and others that will commit the authority to direct the State Bond Commission to issue bonds for eligible undertakings set out in subsection (4) of this section, conditioned on the siting of the project in the state.

(2) Upon receipt of any such declaration from the authority, the State Bond Commission shall verify that the state has been selected as the site of the project and shall act as the issuing agent for the series of bonds directed to be issued in such declaration pursuant to authority granted in this section.

(3) (a) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(i) shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount in the sum of Sixty-seven Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($67,350,000.00).

(b) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) shall not exceed Sixty-one Million Dollars ($61,000,000.00). The authority, with the express direction of the State Bond Commission, is authorized to expend any remaining proceeds of bonds issued under the authority of this act prior to January 1, 1998, for the purpose of financing projects as then defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) or for any other projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii), as it may be amended from time to time. If there are any monetary proceeds derived from the disposition of any improvements located on real property in Kemper County purchased pursuant to this act for projects related to the NAAS and if there are any monetary proceeds derived from the disposition of any timber located on real property in Kemper County purchased pursuant to this act for projects related to the NAAS, all of such proceeds (both from the disposition of improvements and the disposition of timber) commencing July 1, 1996, through June 30, 2010, shall be paid to the Board of Education of Kemper County, Mississippi, for expenditure by such board of education to benefit the public schools of Kemper County. No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph (b) until the State Bond Commission by resolution adopts a finding that the issuance of such bonds will improve, expand or otherwise enhance the military installation, its support areas or military operations, or will provide employment opportunities to replace those lost by closure or reductions in operations at the military installation or will support critical studies or investigations authorized by Section 57-75-5(f)(ii).

(c) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iii) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 1996.

(d) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) shall not exceed Three Hundred Fifty-one Million Dollars ($351,000,000.00). An additional amount of bonds in an amount not to exceed Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000.00) may be issued under the authority of this section for the purpose of defraying costs associated with the construction of surface water transmission lines for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) or for any facility related to the project. No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2005.

(e) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v) and for facilities related to such projects shall not exceed Thirty-eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($38,500,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

(f) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(vii) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2006.

(g) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) shall not exceed Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2007.

(h) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ix) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2007.

(i) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(x) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

(j) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) shall not exceed Thirty-three Million Dollars ($33,000,000.00). The amount of bonds that may be issued under this paragraph for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) may be reduced by the amount of any federal or local funds made available for such projects. No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in or near the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) in the aggregate; however, this irrevocable commitment requirement may be waived by the authority upon a finding that due to the unforeseen circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina, the local governments are unable to comply with such commitment. No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2008.

(k) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiii) shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

(l) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv) shall not exceed Twenty-four Million Dollars ($24,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

(m) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xv) shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

(n) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvi) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

(o) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvii) shall not exceed Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

(p) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii) shall not exceed Ninety-six Million Dollars ($96,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2016.

(q) Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xix) shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2010.

(4) (a) The proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be applied for the following purposes:

(i) Defraying all or any designated portion of the costs incurred with respect to acquisition, planning, design, construction, installation, rehabilitation, improvement, relocation and with respect to state-owned property, operation and maintenance of the project and any facility related to the project located within the project area, including costs of design and engineering, all costs incurred to provide land, easements and rights-of-way, relocation costs with respect to the project and with respect to any facility related to the project located within the project area, and costs associated with mitigation of environmental impacts and environmental impact studies;

(ii) Defraying the cost of providing for the recruitment, screening, selection, training or retraining of employees, candidates for employment or replacement employees of the project and any related activity;

(iii) Reimbursing the Mississippi Development Authority for expenses it incurred in regard to projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) prior to November 6, 2000. The Mississippi Development Authority shall submit an itemized list of expenses it incurred in regard to such projects to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

(iv) Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

(v) Paying any warranty made by the authority regarding site work for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

(vi) Defraying the cost of marketing and promotion of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1. The authority shall submit an itemized list of costs incurred for marketing and promotion of such project to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

(vii) Providing for the payment of interest on the bonds;

(viii) Providing debt service reserves;

(ix) Paying underwriters' discount, original issue discount, accountants' fees, engineers' fees, attorneys' fees, rating agency fees and other fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of the bonds;

(x) For purposes authorized in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this subsection (4);

(xi) Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v), or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

(xii) Providing grant funds or loans to a public agency or an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii);

(xiii) Providing grant funds or loans to an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv);

(xiv) Providing grants, loans and payments to or for the benefit of an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii); and

(xv) Purchasing equipment for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers necessary and appropriate.

Such bonds shall be issued from time to time and in such principal amounts as shall be designated by the authority, not to exceed in aggregate principal amounts the amount authorized in subsection (3) of this section. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be invested, subject to federal limitations, pending their use, in such securities as may be specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earning on such investment applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.

(b) (i) The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall not exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(ii) The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(ii) shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(ii) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(c) (i) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(ix) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided for the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate.

(ii) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(ix) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(d) (i) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(x) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided for the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate.

(ii) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(x) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(e) (i) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph (e)(i) shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate.

(ii) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph (e)(ii) shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph (e)(ii) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(f) (i) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiii), (f)(xiv), (f)(xv), (f)(xvi),(f)(xvii) and (f)(xviii) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph (f)(i) shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project.

(ii) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiii), (f)(xiv), (f)(xv), (f)(xvi), (f)(xvii) and (f)(xviii) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph (f)(ii) shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project. Reimbursements under this paragraph (f)(ii) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(5) The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable in the manner hereinafter set forth. The bonds shall bear date or dates; be in such denomination or denominations; bear interest at such rate or rates; be payable at such place or places within or without the state; mature absolutely at such time or times; be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium; bear such registration privileges; and be substantially in such form; all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission except that such bonds shall mature or otherwise be retired in annual installments beginning not more than five (5) years from the date thereof and extending not more than twenty-five (25) years from the date thereof. The bonds shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be imprinted on or affixed thereto, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. Whenever any such bonds have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds, who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.

(6) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and in exercising the powers granted by this chapter, the State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(7) The State Bond Commission shall sell the bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. The bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101 as shall be fixed by the State Bond Commission. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; provided that the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any bonds shall be published at least one time, the first of which shall be made not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the City of Jackson and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a large national circulation, to be selected by the State Bond Commission.

The State Bond Commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that the bonds, at the option of the state, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

(8) State bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be the general obligations of the state and backed by the full faith and credit of the state. The Legislature shall appropriate annually an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due. All bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the foregoing provisions of this section.

(9) The State Treasurer is authorized to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants payable out of any funds appropriated by the Legislature under this section for such purpose, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under the provisions of this section. The State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(10) The bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this chapter. Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.

(11) In anticipation of the issuance of bonds hereunder, the State Bond Commission is authorized to negotiate and enter into any purchase, loan, credit or other agreement with any bank, trust company or other lending institution or to issue and sell interim notes for the purpose of making any payments authorized under this section. All borrowings made under this provision shall be evidenced by notes of the state which shall be issued from time to time, for such amounts not exceeding the amount of bonds authorized herein, in such form and in such denomination and subject to such terms and conditions of sale and issuance, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest not to exceed the maximum rate authorized herein for bonds, and time of payment of interest as the State Bond Commission shall agree to in such agreement. Such notes shall constitute general obligations of the state and shall be backed by the full faith and credit of the state. Such notes may also be issued for the purpose of refunding previously issued notes. No note shall mature more than three (3) years following the date of its issuance. The State Bond Commission is authorized to provide for the compensation of any purchaser of the notes by payment of a fixed fee or commission and for all other costs and expenses of issuance and service, including paying agent costs. Such costs and expenses may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

(12) The bonds and interim notes authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the First Judicial District of the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The necessary papers for such validation proceedings shall be transmitted to the State Bond Attorney, and the required notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(13) Any bonds or interim notes issued under the provisions of this chapter, a transaction relating to the sale or securing of such bonds or interim notes, their transfer and the income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any local unit or political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting inheritance and gift taxes.

(14) All bonds issued under this chapter shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi; and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of the state and all municipalities and other political subdivisions thereof for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(15) The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall represent the State Bond Commission in issuing, selling and validating bonds herein provided for, and the Bond Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to expend from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds authorized hereunder all necessary administrative, legal and other expenses incidental and related to the issuance of bonds authorized under this chapter.

(16) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Fund wherein shall be deposited the proceeds of the bonds issued under this chapter and all monies received by the authority to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Expenditures authorized herein shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants drawn from the fund, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue warrants upon requisitions signed by the director of the authority.

(17) (a) There is hereby created the Mississippi Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund from which the principal of and interest on such bonds shall be paid by appropriation. All monies paid into the sinking fund not appropriated to pay accruing bonds and interest shall be invested by the State Treasurer in such securities as are provided by law for the investment of the sinking funds of the state.

(b) In the event that all or any part of the bonds and notes are purchased, they shall be cancelled and returned to the loan and transfer agent as cancelled and paid bonds and notes and thereafter all payments of interest thereon shall cease and the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, together with any other cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, shall be destroyed as promptly as possible after cancellation but not later than two (2) years after cancellation. A certificate evidencing the destruction of the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons shall be provided by the loan and transfer agent to the seller.

(c) The State Treasurer shall determine and report to the Department of Finance and Administration and Legislative Budget Office by September 1 of each year the amount of money necessary for the payment of the principal of and interest on outstanding obligations for the following fiscal year and the times and amounts of the payments. It shall be the duty of the Governor to include in every executive budget submitted to the Legislature full information relating to the issuance of bonds and notes under the provisions of this chapter and the status of the sinking fund for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds and notes.

(d) Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(hh) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund unless the State Bond Commission, at the request of the authority, shall determine that such loan repayments are needed to provide additional loans as authorized under Section 57-75-11(hh). For purposes of providing additional loans, there is hereby created the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Revolving Loan Fund and loan repayments shall be deposited into the fund. The fund shall be maintained for such period as determined by the State Bond Commission for the sole purpose of making additional loans as authorized by Section 57-75-11(hh). Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund and any interest earned on amounts in such fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(e) Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(ii) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

(f) Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(jj) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

(18) (a) Upon receipt of a declaration by the authority that it has determined that the state is a potential site for a project, the State Bond Commission is authorized and directed to authorize the State Treasurer to borrow money from any special fund in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be utilized by the authority for the purposes provided for in this subsection.

(b) The proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection may be utilized by the authority for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the costs incurred by the authority with respect to acquisition options and planning, design and environmental impact studies with respect to a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xi). The authority may escalate its budget and expend the proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

(c) The authority shall request an appropriation or additional authority to issue general obligation bonds to repay the borrowed funds and establish a date for the repayment of the funds so borrowed.

(d) Borrowings made under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any one time.

SECTION 9. Sections 3 through 18, Chapter 541, Laws of 2001, as amended by Chapter 540, Laws of 2002, as amended by Chapter 519, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, is amended as follows:

Section 3. As used in Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi; and

Section 4. (1) The Mississippi Arts Commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the grant program authorized in Section 2 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Arts Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Mississippi Arts Commission shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not exceed Eighteen Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($18,200,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deposited into the Building Fund for the Arts created pursuant to Section 2 of this act. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 5. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

Section 6. The bonds authorized by Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 7. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 8. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 9. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 10. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 2 of this act. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this act, the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 11. The bonds authorized under Sections 3 through 18 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 3 through 18 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 12. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 3 through 18 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 13. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 3 through 18 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 3 through 18 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 14. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 15. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 3 through 18 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 16. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 17. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

Section 18. Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but Sections 3 through 18 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 10. Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

39-11-13. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "Building Fund for the Arts" is created within 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 fund shall consist of any money designated for deposit therein from any source, including, but not limited to, any state general obligation bonds issued for the purposes described in this section. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Money deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Mississippi Arts Commission, to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and units of local government to pay the costs of:

(i) Repair, upgrading, expansion, renovation or enhancement of existing buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities;

(ii) Construction of new buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities; or

(iii) The development, construction, equipping and furnishing of an entertainment and film center and museum and completion of a sound stage project.

(c) The entity to which such grants are made shall provide matching funds from local, federal or private sources equal to forty percent (40%) of the proposed project cost in order to be eligible for a grant under this section.

(d) The maximum aggregate amount of monies in the special fund that may be used to provide grant funds to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), and no monies in the special fund may be used to provide grant funds under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection after July 1, 2003. The maximum aggregate amount of grant funds that may be provided to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection during a fiscal year shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of Chapter 541, Laws of 2001, as amended by Chapter 540, Laws of 2002, as amended by Chapter 519, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by House Bill No. 1634, 2006 Regular Session, and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Mississippi Arts Commission shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(b) Monies in the special fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued after April 9, 2002, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Arts Commission in providing assistance directly related to a project described in subsection (1) of this section for which grant funds are provided under this section from the use of proceeds of such bonds. Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Arts Commission. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects. This paragraph (b) shall be repealed from and after July 1, 2007.

(3) The Mississippi Arts Commission is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of money deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration upon request of the Mississippi Arts Commission, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his or her designee.

(4) The Mississippi Arts Commission shall adopt necessary rules and regulations to govern the administration of the program described in subsection (1) of this section, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations governing applications for grants and rules and regulations providing for the distribution of grant funds. The Mississippi Arts Commission shall comply with the provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

SECTION 11. Sections 210 through 226, Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Chapter 458, Laws of 2005, are amended as follows:

Section 210. As used in Sections 210 through 226 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi; and

Section 211. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "Mississippi Museum of Art Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, for the purpose of providing funds to the Mississippi Museum of Art to pay the costs of acquisition of land, planning, design and site preparation for a facility for the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Mississippi, and/or construction, repair and renovation, upgrading, furnishing, equipping, expansion or enhancement of buildings or facilities for the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Mississippi.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in subsection (1) of this section. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 210 through 226 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(3) The Department of Finance and Administration is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration.

Section 212. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 211 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall not exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be deposited into the special fund created pursuant to Section 211 of this act. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 210 through 226 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 213. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

Section 214. The bonds authorized by Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 215. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 210 through 226 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 216. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 210 through 226 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 210 through 226 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 210 through 226 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 217. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 218. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 211 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 219. The bonds authorized under Sections 210 through 226 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 210 through 226 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 220. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 210 through 226 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 221. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 210 through 226 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 210 through 226 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 222. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 223. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 210 through 226 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 224. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 225. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 210 through 226 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

Section 226. Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but Sections 210 through 226 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 12. Sections 1 through 23, Chapter 550, Laws of 2002, as amended by Section 41, Chapter 522, Laws of 2003, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 389, Laws of 2004, as amended by Section 187, Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, are amended as follows:

Section 1. As used in Sections 1 through 23 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

Section 2. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2002 IHL and State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration,with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control, to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING................. $ 50,860,000.00

Alcorn State University......................... $ 4,260,000.00

Upgrade of water wells and

water treatment facilities,

renovation of Women's Tower, and

repair and renovation of campus

buildings, facilities and

infrastructure ............. $ 3,500,000.00

Air conditioning of the

Simmons Technology

Building ................... $ 360,000.00

Construction of lighting

for baseball field ......... $ 400,000.00

Delta State University.......................... $ 4,100,000.00

Renovation of and additions

to Jobe Hall for use as

a general classroom

building ................... $ 3,500,000.00

Purchase of airplanes and

construction of a hanger

to house airplanes and a

simulator .................. $ 600,000.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 8,500,000.00

Completion of Phase II

construction, furnishing and

equipping of transitional

student housing ............ $ 7,500,000.00

Renovation of building and

facilities at the Mississippi

E-Center/Jackson State

University, build-out expenses

and acquiring and installing any

equipment necessary in

establishing and maintaining

a digital transmission

system for TV23 ............ $ 1,000,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................ $ 3,800,000.00

Demolition, construction, repair

and renovation of campus

facilities, including, but not

limited to, Parkinson Hall,

Callaway Hall and Martin Hall,

and repair, renovation,

replacement and improvement of

campus infrastructure ...... $ 3,800,000.00

Mississippi State University.................... $ 7,000,000.00

Phase I of construction, furnishing

and equipping of a simulation and

design center ................. $ 6,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings, facilities and

infrastructure ............. $ 1,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.............. $ 3,900,000.00

Renovation of the Pace

Seed Technology Building

to accommodate a life

sciences program ........... $ 3,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

facilities ................. $ 900,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University............. $ 3,000,000.00

Completion of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

business administration

building ................... $ 2,000,000.00

Repair, renovation,

replacement and improvement

of campus drainage and other

infrastructure ............. $ 1,000,000.00

University of Mississippi....................... $ 5,500,000.00

Renovation of old Education

Building ................... $ 3,500,000.00

Renovation of Bryant Hall ..... $ 1,000,000.00

Renovation of Longstreet

Hall ....................... $ 1,000,000.00

University Medical Center....................... $ 3,000,000.00

Matching funds for Guyton Hall

expansion .................. $ 3,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi.............. $ 4,650,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities

and repair, renovation,

replacement and improvement

of campus infrastructure ... $ 4,000,000.00

Completion of renovation of

Polymer Science Research

Center ..................... $ 650,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Campus............................. $ 1,000,000.00

Land acquisition, parking

and street improvements ....... $ 1,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory................ $ 650,000.00

Matching funds for construction

of necessary infrastructure at

Cedar Point in Jackson County,

Mississippi ................ $ 650,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Stennis Space Center.......................... $ 500,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

a visualization center ..... $ 250,000.00

Continuation of construction

of additions to and furnishing

of Building 1020 at the Stennis

Space Center to support the

masters program in hydrographic

science .................... $ 250,000.00

Education and Research Center................... $ 1,000,000.00

Repair, renovation and upgrade of

HVAC in Tower Building ..... $ 1,000,000.00

STATE AGENCIES.................................. $ 65,880,000.00

Authority for Educational Television............ $ 2,000,000.00

Purchasing and installing

antennas, towers, tower upgrades,

tower sites, transmission lines,

transmitters and any equipment

useful in establishing or

maintaining a digital

transmission system to meet

federal requirements ....... $ 2,000,000.00

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency......... $ 9,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a building and

related facilities to house

the Mississippi Emergency

Management Agency .......... $ 9,000,000.00

Department of Human Services.................... $ 1,300,000.00

Construction, repair and renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of security and medical intake

facilities at the Columbia

Training School in Marion County,

Mississippi ................ $ 1,300,000.00

Department of Mental Health..................... $ 1,250,000.00

Repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of

infrastructure at Ellisville

State Hospital ............. $ 1,250,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks..... $ 4,730,000.00

Improvements to Neshoba

County Lake ................ $ 680,000.00

Repair, renovation and construction

of roads at state parks as

determined necessary by the

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries

and Parks .................. $ 500,000.00

Repair and renovation of bath

facilities at state parks as

determined necessary by the

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries

and Parks .................. $ 300,000.00

Repair and renovation of cabins at

state parks as determined necessary

by the Department of Wildlife,

Fisheries and Parks ........ $ 500,000.00

Additional funds for the construction of the

North Mississippi Fish

Hatchery ................... $ 1,000,000.00

Improvements to the Lyman State

Fish Hatchery .............. $ 1,000,000.00

Renovation and repair of the

campground area at the J.P.

Coleman State Park ......... $ 450,000.00

Construction of camper pads

at Paul B. Johnson State

Park ....................... $ 300,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration........ $ 23,500,000.00

Repair, renovation, equipping

and furnishing of the Walter

Sillers Building, tenant

build-out expenses related to

repair and renovation of the

Walter Sillers Building .... $10,000,000.00

To continue an ongoing program for

repair and renovation of state-owned

facilities necessary for

compliance with the Americans

With Disabilities Act ...... $ 2,500,000.00

To continue an ongoing program for

repair and renovation of state

institutions of higher learning

necessary for compliance with

the Americans With Disabilities

Act ........................ $ 2,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of

state-owned buildings and facilities

with $500,000.00 of such funds used

for repair and renovation of the

Mississippi Schools for the

Blind and Deaf ............. $ 4,500,000.00

Preplanning for projects described

in subsection (7) of this

section .................... $ 2,000,000.00

Design through construction

documents of a building and

supporting facilities or

development of suitable

acquisition and construction

alternatives to house the

Department of Environmental

Quality .................... $ 2,000,000.00

Department of Education......................... $ 4,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a physical

education facility for the

Mississippi Schools for the

Blind and Deaf ............. $ 4,000,000.00

Mississippi Library Commission.................. $ 600,000.00

Additional funds for construction

of the new Mississippi

Library Commission building

and facilities ............. $ 600,000.00

Department of Archives and History.............. $ 700,000.00

Repair and renovation of

the Eudora Welty house at

1119 Pinehurst Street in

Jackson, Mississippi, and

acquisition, renovation

and demolition of property, and the

construction and landscaping of

a visitors center and related

parking facilities in

the surrounding neighborhood.

Funds authorized for such purposes

may be used as matching funds for

an anticipated National Endowment

for the Humanities Challenge Grant

and other grants that may

become available ........... $ 700,000.00

Department of Public Safety..................... $ 1,400,000.00

Construction of a vehicle

maintenance and communications

center and a facility for storage

of confiscated vehicles .... $ 1,000,000.00

Phase I of construction of a Bureau

of Narcotics headquarters

building in the Starkville

District ................... $ 400,000.00

Department of Agriculture and Commerce.......... $ 4,000,000.00

Preplanning of long-range capital

improvement needs of the State

Fairgrounds, and Phase I of

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of infrastructure

at the State Fairgrounds ... $ 4,000,000.00

Mississippi National Guard.........................$ 1,400,000.00

Provide matching funds to the

National Guard for construction

of an armory in Batesville,

Mississippi ................ $ 1,400,000.00

Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.... $ 12,000,000.00

Phase I of construction of the

Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic

Laboratory in Jackson, Mississippi,

metropolitan area .......... $12,000,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $116,740,000.00

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(b) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in subsection (1) of this section. Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(3) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(4) Any amounts allocated to an agency or institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency or institution of higher learning that are described in subsection (1) of this section may be used for general repairs and renovations at the agency or institution of higher learning to which such amount is allocated. In addition, any funds allocated to Delta State University under subsection (1) of this section that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at Delta State University that are described in subsection (1) of this section may be used for other capital projects at Delta State University authorized by the Legislature regardless of when authorized.

(5) Any funds allocated to the Mississippi University for Women under Sections 1 through 23, Chapter 600, Laws of 2001, that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects for which the funds were allocated, may be used for the projects at the Mississippi University for Women described in subsection (1) of this section. Such funds shall be in addition to the funds authorized for projects at the Mississippi University for Women in subsection (1) of this section.

(6) Any funds allocated to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks under subsection (1) of this section for improvements to Neshoba County Lake which are in excess of that needed to complete such project may be used for construction and equipping of the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery for which funding was provided under Sections 1 through 23, Chapter 600, Laws of 2001, as amended by Section 45, Chapter 550, Laws of 2002.

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized to preplan or continue planning of the following projects:

(a) Repair and renovation of the Robert E. Lee Building;

(b) Repair and renovation of the former Naval Reserve Building;

(d) Phase I of repair and renovation or construction of dining facilities at Alcorn State University;

(e) Construction of an Agricultural and Biotechnology Engineering Building and facilities for Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine;

(f) Repair and renovation of Farley Hall at the University of Mississippi;

(g) Construction of a nursing/allied health/science laboratory facility at the University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf Coast Campus;

(h) Repair, renovation or replacement of two (2) nursing homes at the East Mississippi State Hospital; and

(i) Design of a communications infrastructure at the Capitol Complex and Education and Research Center Campus and connectivity between such locations.

The projects authorized in this subsection shall be in addition to the projects authorized in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 3. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2002 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this act.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of acquisition of real property, construction of new facilities and addition to or renovation of existing facilities for community and junior college campuses as recommended by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. The amount to be expended at each community and junior college is as follows:

Coahoma...................................... $ 408,578.00

Copiah-Lincoln............................... 511,609.00

East Central................................. 471,612.00

East Mississippi............................. 514,489.00

Hinds........................................ 1,004,475.00

Holmes....................................... 553,312.00

Itawamba..................................... 581,150.00

Jones........................................ 720,552.00

Meridian..................................... 544,353.00

Mississippi Delta............................ 566,751.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast....................... 878,832.00

Northeast Mississippi........................ 560,672.00

Northwest Mississippi........................ 703,806.00

Pearl River.................................. 542,647.00

Southwest Mississippi........................ 437,162.00

GRAND TOTAL.................................. $9,000,000.00

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the community college or junior college for which any such monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

Section 4. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2002 Ayers Settlement Agreement Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall constitute Ayers bond revenues to be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of capital improvements at Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University as recommended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in order to comply with the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers vs. Musgrove.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) It is the intent of the Legislature that not less than ten percent (10%) of the amounts authorized to be expended in this section shall be expended 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 subsection.

Section 5. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2002 Mississippi Technology Innovation Center Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the Mississippi Technology Alliance, to pay the costs of computer network equipment, electronic storage devices/systems, incubator build-out and installation, storage and wiring at the Mississippi E-Center/Jackson State University.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to the Mississippi Technology Alliance to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer to the Mississippi Technology Alliance upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 6. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2002 Holly Springs Training Center Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of renovating, furnishing and equipping a training center in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 7. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2002 City of Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center Auditorium Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the City of Corinth, Mississippi, to pay the costs of constructing the auditorium wing of the Civil War Interpretive Center.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to the City of Corinth, Mississippi, to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer to the City of Corinth, Mississippi, upon warrants issued by such Department of Finance and Administration, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 8. (1) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall not exceed One Hundred Thirty Million Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($130,770,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2007.

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(a) The 2002 IHL Capital and State Agencies Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this

act............................................ $116,740,000.00.

(b) The 2002 Community and Junior College Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 3 of this

act............................................ $ 9,000,000.00.

(c) The 2002 Mississippi Technology Innovation Center Fund created pursuant to Section 5 of this act....................... $ 1,000,000.00.

(d) The 2002 Holly Springs Training Center Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 6 of this

act............................................ $ 380,000.00.

(e) The 2002 City of Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center Auditorium Fund created pursuant to Section 7 of this

act............................................ $ 500,000.00.

(f) The Rural Fire Truck Fund created pursuant to Section 17-23-1 for the rural fire truck acquisition assistance program$ 3,150,000.00.

(3) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in Sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 9. (1) The United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi having approved the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove and on notification that such agreement has become final and effective according to its terms, including, but not limited to, the exhaustion of all rights to appeal, the commission, at one time, or from time to time, shall declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 4 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 4 of this act. Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in Section 4 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds.

Section 10. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

Section 11. The bonds authorized by Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 12. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 1 through 23 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 13. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 1 through 23 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 14. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 15. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this act in the amounts provided for in Sections 8(2) and 9 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 16. The bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 23 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 1 through 23 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 17. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 1 through 23 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 18. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 1 through 23 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 1 through 23 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 19. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 20. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 21. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 22. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 1 through 23 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

Section 23. Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 1 through 23 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 13. Sections 97 through 118, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, are amended as follows:

Section 97. As used in Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

Section 98. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Institutions of Higher Learning and State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING................ $ 108,810,000.00

Alcorn State University........................ $ 13,600,000.00

Design, construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a new dining facility ....... $12,600,000.00

Construction of a new baseball

stadium and field and related

facilities .................. $ 1,000,000.00

Delta State University.......................... $ 7,480,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 2,830,000.00

Repair and renovation of

Bailey, Kethley and

Union Halls ................. $ 4,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping of

Chadwick Dickson Field House,

construction of visitors

restrooms and concession

stand at Parker Field, repairs

and renovations of Walter

Sillers Coliseum, construction

of the Dave "Boo" Ferris

Baseball Building ........... $ 650,000.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 12,000,000.00

Continuation of Phase II

of the Lynch

Street Corridor

Project to include

utilities, landscaping,

irrigation and plaza

removal, land acquisition,

site improvements and repair

and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase

of furniture and

equipment ................... $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of repair and renovation of

the Charles Moore Building .. $ 5,000,000.00

Phase I of repair and renovation

of Dansby Hall .............. $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of repair, renovation,

construction, furnishing and

equipping of the

E-City Center Building ...... $ 500,000.00

Land acquisition ............... $ 2,500,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................. $ 8,000,000.00

Repair and renovation

of Poindexter Hall .......... $ 7,000,000.00

Furnishing and equipping

of Martin Hall and

South Callaway Hall

and general repair and

renovation .................. $ 1,000,000.00

Mississippi State University.................... $ 17,000,000.00

Phase II of repair and renovation

and furnishing and equipping

of Colvard Student Union .... $ 7,000,000.00

Phase I of repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of Harned Hall .............. $ 5,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure .............. $ 5,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.............. $ 5,300,000.00

Phase II construction and

furnishing and equipping of

a new building for the

Department of Agricultural and

Biological Engineering ...... $ 4,750,000.00

Repair and renovation of

Veterinary Medicine

facilities .................. $ 550,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University............. $ 7,750,000.00

Phase I of design, construction,

furnishing and equipping a

wellness center ............. $ 7,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure .............. $ 750,000.00

University of Mississippi....................... $ 13,250,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 9,000,000.00

Repair, renovation, furnishing

and equipping of the

Old Chemistry Building ...... $ 4,000,000.00

Purchase of furniture and equipment

at the Institutions of Higher

Learning Center at

Southaven, Mississippi ...... $ 250,000.00

University Medical Center....................... $ 1,980,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 1,980,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi.............. $ 12,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities; repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure; purchase of

furniture and equipment;

provide matching funds

for projects funded

through private donations

and federal grants; construction

of buildings and facilities;

and land acquisition ........ $ 7,000,000.00

Phase III of repair and renovation

of Reed Green Coliseum ...... $ 3,000,000.00

Design, construction, furnishing

and equipping of an oceanographic

support facility ............ $ 2,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Campuses........................... $ 6,500,000.00

Facility repairs,

replacements and upgrades

at Gulf Coast Campuses ...... $ 6,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities,

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase

of furniture and equipment

at Gulf Park Campus ......... $ 500,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory................ $ 3,950,000.00

Design, construction, furnishing

and equipping of a

research office/laboratory

facility at the Cedar

Point Campus ................ $ 3,700,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, repair,

renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure and purchase of

furniture and equipment ..... $ 250,000.00

STATE AGENCIES.................................. $ 80,350,000.00

Department of Agriculture and Commerce.......... $ 4,070,000.00

Repair, renovation, demolition,

improvement and upgrade of

facilities and

infrastructure .............. $ 2,000,000.00

Phase II of the relocation

of the Mississippi Farmers

Central Market to the State

Fairgrounds ................. $ 1,600,000.00

Roof repairs and necessary heating

and air conditioning system

modifications to the Heritage

Building at the Jim Buck Ross

Mississippi Agriculture and

Forestry Museum ............. $ 470,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration........ $ 45,600,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of a parking facility

and cafeteria adjacent to

the Sillers Building ........ $16,000,000.00

Tenant build-out, information

technology and furnishing and

equipping of the Sillers

Building .................... $ 3,000,000.00

Plazas, demolition, landscaping,

furnishing and equipping and

related items for occupancy of

the new Gartin justice facility

and the pedestrian mall and

green space located in the Sillers

Building block .............. $ 6,000,000.00

Property acquisition, demolition

and site improvement in

the vicinity of

the Capitol Complex ......... $ 2,000,000.00

Planning and acquisition of property,

construction of facilities,

furnishing, equipping and

relocation of the State Tax

Commission and/or Mississippi

Department of Environmental

Quality ..................... $ 8,000,000.00

Roofing repairs, repair and/or

replacement of windows and

weatherization at the

Robert E. Lee Building or

other capital complex

facilities .................. $ 3,000,000.00

General repairs and renovations

at the 101 Capitol

Centre Building ............. $ 2,000,000.00

Construction of additions to,

and general repairs and

renovations of, the Department

of Rehabilitation Services

Building .................... $ 3,000,000.00

Preplanning for projects listed

in subsection (5) of this

section ..................... $ 2,600,000.00

Department of Corrections....................... $ 2,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of existing

facilities, infrastructure

repair and expansions and

furnishing and equipping

of facilities ............... $ 2,500,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks..... $ 3,000,000.00

Construction of minor new facilities,

additions to, and repair and

renovation of existing facilities

and furnishing and equipping

of facilities, repair to

dams, spillways and

other infrastructure ........ $ 3,000,000.00

Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind...... $ 1,500,000.00

Continuation of renovations to

the Mississippi School for

the Deaf, Dormitory A

including furniture and

equipment; enhancements to

Phases II and III to include

audio and video communication,

furniture, equipment, lockers

and signage ................. $ 1,500,000.00

Department of Information and Technology

Services...................................... $ 1,800,000.00

Phase II of installation of

communications infrastructure

and related equipment at the

Capitol Complex, the Education

and Research Center campus

and other state buildings

and connections between such

locations; preplanning for

a cooperative data center;

and delivery system and data

warehouse infrastructure for

geographic information/remote

sensing data ................ $ 1,800,000.00

Department of Human Services.................... $ 7,000,000.00

Repair of existing academic

center, repair or replacement

of gymnasium at Columbia and

other projects at Columbia

and Oakley to satisfy facility

requirements requested by

the Department of Justice ... $ 4,000,000.00

General repairs and renovations,

furnishing and equipping of

facilities and site work at

the Columbia Training School

and the Oakley Training

School ...................... $ 3,000,000.00

Mississippi Industries for the Blind............ $ 2,000,000.00

Phase I of a complete reuse plan

and construction, furnishing

and equipping of the Mississippi

Industries for the Blind Facility

and State Records Center at

the old Farmers' Market

location in Jackson ......... $ 2,000,000.00

Mississippi National Guard...................... $ 1,430,000.00

Provide matching funds to the

National Guard for

construction of readiness

center in Monticello,

Mississippi ................. $ 1,430,000.00

State Fire Academy.............................. $ 200,000.00

Repair of control tower, general

repairs and renovations and

additions to the classroom

building .................... $ 200,000.00

Mississippi Authority for Educational Television$ 2,500,000.00

Necessary upgrades to television

and radio system ............ $ 2,500,000.00

Department of Public Safety..................... $ 2,350,000.00

Phase I of design, construction,

furnishing and equipping

of Highway Safety Patrol

substations at New Albany,

Greenwood and Meridian

Districts ................... $ 2,000,000.00

Phase II of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a Bureau of Narcotics

headquarters building

in the Starkville

District .................... $ 350,000.00

Mississippi Department of Transportation........ $ 400,000.00

Construction, equipping and

furnishing of a new

maintenance facility in

Itawamba County ............. $ 400,000.00

Department of Mental Health..................... $ 6,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings, facilities

and infrastructure .......... $ 6,000,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $189,160,000.00

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 21 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 21 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(b) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in subsection (1) of this section. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(5) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized to preplan the following projects:

(a) Psychiatric receiving units at the Mississippi State Hospital;

(b) Additions to the client bed facility at the South Mississippi State Hospital;

(d) Repair and renovation of the Wise Center at Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine;

(e) Repair and renovation of the Carpenter Administration Building at Mississippi Valley State University;

(f) A new College of Business Facility at the University of Southern Mississippi;

(g) Repair and renovation of Hardy Hall at the University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf Park Campus; and

(h) Mechanical loop system and central plant at Delta State University.

The projects authorized in this subsection shall be in addition to the projects authorized in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 99. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this act.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of acquisition of real property, construction of new facilities, equipping and furnishing facilities, including furniture and technology equipment and infrastructure, and addition to or renovation of existing facilities for community and junior college campuses as recommended by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. The amount to be expended at each community and junior college is as follows:

Coahoma..................................... $ 2,429,419.00

Copiah-Lincoln.............................. 2,855,078.00

East Central................................ 2,622,534.00

East Mississippi............................ 3,096,334.00

Hinds....................................... 5,281,200.00

Holmes...................................... 3,092,806.00

Itawamba.................................... 3,384,549.00

Jones....................................... 3,797,671.00

Meridian.................................... 3,004,719.00

Mississippi Delta........................... 3,011,572.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast...................... 5,072,211.00

Northeast Mississippi....................... 3,003,704.00

Northwest Mississippi....................... 3,916,749.00

Pearl River................................. 3,001,116.00

Southwest Mississippi....................... 2,430,338.00

GRAND TOTAL................................. $50,000,000.00

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the community college or junior college for which any such monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

Section 100. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Ayers Settlement Agreement Capital Improvements Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall constitute Ayers bond revenues to be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of capital improvements at Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University as recommended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in consultation with the presidents of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University, in order to comply with the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove. Projects shall be managed by the Department of Finance and Administration in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 101. (1) (a) A special fund, to be designated as the "2004-2005 Bureau of Buildings Discretionary Fund," is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of:

(i) Correction of structural, environmental and weatherization problems, required site protection, repair of finishes, completion of furnishing and equipping of the Mississippi Valley State University Administration Building and the Greenville Higher Education Center and temporary relocation of occupants of such buildings;

(ii) Site improvements, general weatherization, demolition and roofing, environmental, mechanical, electrical and structural repairs required for state-owned facilities, and repair and renovation of state-owned facilities necessary for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act; and

(iii) Completion of previously authorized projects.

(c) In addition to other amounts required to be deposited into the fund, any settlement or award of damages paid to the state as a result of disputes arising out of the construction of Mississippi Valley State University Administration Building or the Greenville Higher Education Center, shall be deposited into the fund.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 102. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2004-2005 Hillcrest Cemetery Repair Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, to pay the costs of repairs to the historical portion of the Hillcrest Cemetery.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer to the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 103. (1) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Sections 98 and 99 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. Except as otherwise provided in Section 102 of this act, the total amount of bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty-three Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($253,360,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2008.

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(a) The 2004-2005 Institutions of Higher Learning Capital and State Agencies Improvements Fund created pursuant

to Section 98 of this act..................... $ 189,160,000.00.

(b) The 2004-2005 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 99

of this act................................... $ 50,000,000.00.

act........................................... $ 14,000,000.00.

(d) The 2004-2005 Hillcrest Cemetery Repair Fund created pursuant to Section 102 of this act....................... $ 200,000.00.

(3) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in Sections 98, 99, 101 and 102 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 104. (1) The United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi having approved the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove and on notification that such agreement has become final and effective according to its terms, including, but not limited to, the exhaustion of all rights to appeal, the commission, at one time, or from time to time, shall declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Section 100 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 100 of this act. Any investment earnings on amount deposited into the special fund created in Section 100 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds.

Section 105. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

Section 106. The bonds authorized by Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 107. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 108. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 97 through 118 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 109. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 110. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in Sections 98, 99, 100, 101 and 102 of this act in the amounts provided for in Sections 103(2) and 104 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 111. The bonds authorized under Sections 97 through 118 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 97 through 118 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 112. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 97 through 118 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 113. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 97 through 118 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 97 through 118 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 114. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 115. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 97 through 118 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 116. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 117. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 97 through 118 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

Section 118. Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 97 through 118 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 14. Sections 1 through 24, Chapter 522, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 411, Laws of 2004, as amended by Section 186, Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, are amended as follows:

Section 1. As used in Sections 1 through 24 of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

Section 2. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 IHL and State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control, to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities for agencies or their successors as hereinafter described:

NAME PROJECT AMOUNT

ALLOCATED

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING................. $ 63,760,000.00

Alcorn State University......................... $ 2,500,000.00

Complete renovation of the baseball

field, to include dugouts, bleachers,

concession stands, backstops

and fencing ................ $ 500,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities and repair,

renovation, replacement and improvement

of campus infrastructure ... $ 2,000,000.00

Delta State University.......................... $ 6,200,000.00

Construction of new campus

buildings and facilities, and

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure, including

repairs and renovations of

the Chadwick-Dickson

Building ................... $ 3,000,000.00

Repair, renovation and

restoration of the

Cutrer House at the

Clarksdale Center and

repair, renovation and

restoration of the Coahoma

Community College - Delta

State University Education

Center ..................... $ 2,500,000.00

Purchase of two (2)

airplanes and three (3)

flight simulators for the

Gibson-Gunn Aviation

School ..................... $ 700,000.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 6,400,000.00

Acquisition of land adjacent

to campus in the surrounding

neighborhood ............... $ 500,000.00

Parking construction, paving and

repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities ... $ 1,500,000.00

Acquisition and installation

of any equipment necessary

in establishing and maintaining

a digital transmission system

for TV23 ................... $ 1,000,000.00

Construction of a new

baseball stadium and field

and related facilities ..... $ 1,500,000.00

Work necessary to correct

drainage problems on the

west side of the campus .... $ 400,000.00

Phase II of construction of

the Lynch Street Corridor

Project, including landscaping

and irrigation for the

project .................... $ 1,500,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................ $ 4,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of

Martin Hall for

purpose of housing the

School of Nursing .......... $ 4,500,000.00

Mississippi State University.................... $ 8,960,000.00

Phase I of repair and renovation

of Colvard Student

Union ...................... $ 8,000,000.00

Expansion of the North

Mississippi Research

and Extension Center ....... $ 960,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture,

Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.............. $ 4,750,000.00

Phase I construction of

a new building for the

Department of

Agricultural and

Biological Engineering ..... $ 4,750,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University............. $ 5,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure ............. $ 4,000,000.00

Design through construction

documents and Phase I of

construction of a wellness

center ..................... $ 1,000,000.00

University of Mississippi....................... $ 9,000,000.00

Renovation of Farley Hall ..... $ 5,000,000.00

Final phase of renovation

of Bryant Hall ............. $ 2,500,000.00

Final phase of relocation

of the Physical Plant ...... $ 1,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure ............. $ 500,000.00

University Medical Center....................... $ 4,000,000.00

To aid in the purchase or,

to construct, furnish and

equip a clinical/teaching

facility as determined by

the Vice Chancellor for

Health Affairs for the

University Medical Center

to be in the best interest of

the University Medical Center

and approved by the Board

of Trustees of State

Institutions of

Higher Learning ............ $ 4,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi.............. $ 8,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of the

Reed Green Multipurpose

Facility ................... $ 3,000,000.00

Completion of construction

of the Polymer Institute

Product Process Unit/Building

to house donated equipment

from industry .............. $ 2,000,000.00

Repair and renovation of

campus buildings, facilities

and infrastructure ......... $ 3,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Campuses........................... $ 2,000,000.00

Facility repairs, replacements

and upgrades ............... $ 2,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory................ $ 750,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure ............. $ 750,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/

Stennis Space Center.......................... $ 1,000,000.00

Completion of expansion,

furnishing and equipping

of the High Performance

Visualization Center ....... $ 1,000,000.00

Education and Research Center................... $ 700,000.00

Repair, renovation, furnishing

and equipping of

buildings, facilities

and infrastructure ......... $ 700,000.00

STATE AGENCIES.................................. $ 55,434,000.00

Department of Human Services.................... $ 2,000,000.00

Renovation of cottages

and construction of a visitors

center and staff housing at

Columbia and Oakley

Training Schools ........... $ 2,000,000.00

Department of Public Safety..................... $ 1,000,000.00

Construction of a vehicle

maintenance facility ....... $ 1,000,000.00

Department of Agriculture and Commerce.......... $ 4,000,000.00

Repair, renovation, replacement,

demolition, improvement and

upgrade of facilities and

infrastructure at the State

Fairgrounds and construction

of facilities necessary to relocate

the retail portion of the

Mississippi Farmers Central Market

to the State Fairgrounds ... $ 4,000,000.00

Department of Education......................... $ 2,984,000.00

Renovation, furnishing and

equipping of Dobyns Hall

at the Mississippi Schools

for the Blind and Deaf ..... $ 1,984,000.00

Equipping, furnishing and other

start-up costs for the

Mississippi School for the

Arts, including,

but not limited to, computer

equipment; visual art, music

and theater supplies; cafeteria

equipment and supplies;

textbooks; classroom supplies;

infirmary and residential

life supplies ............ $ 1,000,000.00

Department of Mental Health..................... $ 6,200,000.00

Completion of construction

of mental health crisis

intervention centers first

authorized by Chapter 463,

Laws of 1999 ............... $ 2,400,000.00

Construction of a

maintenance/warehouse

building at the Mississippi

State Hospital ............. $ 1,400,000.00

Completion of furnishing and

equipping of nursing

home facilities at

the East Mississippi

State Hospital ............. $ 1,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of two (2)

intermediate care facilities

for the mentally retarded

(community group homes) .... $ 1,400,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration........ $ 19,500,000.00

Completion of construction, equipping

and furnishing of a justice

facility to accommodate the

Supreme Court, Court of Appeals

and State Law Library ...... $16,000,000.00

Acquisition of real property

and improvements located

thereon in the vicinity of the

New Capitol for use as

part of the Capitol

Complex .................... $ 1,000,000.00

To continue an ongoing program for

repair and renovation of state-owned

facilities necessary for

compliance with the Americans

With Disabilities Act ...... $ 1,000,000.00

To continue an ongoing program for

repair and renovation of state

institutions of higher learning

necessary for compliance with

the Americans With Disabilities

Act ........................ $ 1,000,000.00

Development of requirements

and Phase I of the

implementation of a

construction and property

management information

system .................. $ 500,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks..... $ 750,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of two (2) duplex

cabins at Trace State Park

and utility connections,

road extensions and

parking areas for

such cabins ............... $ 325,000.00

Construction, furnishing and

equipping of two (2) duplex

cabins at Lake Lowndes State

Park and utility connections,

road extensions and parking

areas for such cabins ..... $ 325,000.00

A proposed plan which the Department

of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

shall provide not later than

December 1, 2003, for an eighty-

to one-hundred-fifty-acre general

purpose lake located in, adjacent

to or in close proximity to the

Tuscumbia Wildlife Management

Area located in Alcorn County,

Mississippi. This plan shall

consist of an exact location

for the proposed lake with

detailed property descriptions,

preliminary plans and specifications

for the lake and shall be made

available not later than

December 1, 2003 .......... $ 100,000.00

Mississippi Forestry Commission................. $ 1,000,000.00

Repair, renovation of equipment

storage facilities and

* * *

equipping of facilities

and construction of new

storage facilities

and related costs ......... $ 1,000,000.00

State Veterans Affairs Board.................... $ 900,000.00

Repair and renovation of the

state veterans homes ...... $ 900,000.00

Mississippi Library Commission.................. $ 3,500,000.00

Furnishing and equipping

of the new Mississippi

Library Commission

Building and moving/relocation

expenses and other necessary

expenses associated with

such facility ............. $ 3,000,000.00

Acquiring and implementing a

statewide, technology

standards-compliant

interlibrary loan/booksharing

system .................... $ 500,000.00

Mississippi National Guard...................... $ 1,900,000.00

Provide matching funds to the

National Guard for construction

of an armory in Kosciusko,

Mississippi ............... $ 1,400,000.00

Provide matching funds to the

National Guard for armory

maintenance and repair

projects .................. $ 500,000.00

Department of Archives and History.............. $ 1,500,000.00

Finalization of architectural and

exhibit design through

construction documents and

limited site preparation/

improvement for the new

State Historical Museum

authorized by Chapter 560,

Laws of 1998 .............. $ 1,500,000.00

Department of Information Technology Services... $ 1,900,000.00

Phase I of installation of

communications infrastructure

and related equipment at the

Capitol Complex, the Education

and Research Center Campus

and other state buildings

and connections between such

locations ................. $ 1,900,000.00

Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.... $ 6,000,000.00

Phase II of construction,

furnishing and equipping and

moving and relocation of the

Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic

Laboratory in Jackson

and related expenses ...... $ 6,000,000.00

State Fire Academy.............................. $ 2,300,000.00

Construction, equipping and

furnishing a new burn building

with gas fire simulators

and other related facilities

at State Fire Academy

in Rankin County .......... $ 2,300,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $119,194,000.00

(2) (a) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(5) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized to preplan or continue planning of the following projects:

(a) Continuation of preplanning of Phase I of repair and renovation or construction of dining facilities at Alcorn State University;

(b) Construction of a new men's dormitory at Alcorn State University;

(d) Renovation of Poindexter Hall at the Mississippi University for Women; and

(e) Relocation of State Records Center.

The projects authorized in this subsection shall be in addition to the projects authorized in subsection (1) of this section.

(6) The use of monies allocated to Delta State University under subsection (1) of this section for use at the Coahoma Community College - Delta State University Education Center shall be conditioned upon Coahoma County, Mississippi, providing matching funds in an amount not less than the monies allocated to such center under subsection (1) of this section.

Section 3. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of acquisition of real property, construction of new facilities, equipping and furnishing facilities, including furniture and technology equipment and infrastructure, and addition to or renovation of existing facilities for community and junior college campuses as recommended by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. The amount to be expended at each community and junior college is as follows:

Coahoma..................................... $ 578,799.00

Copiah-Lincoln.............................. 683,117.00

East Central................................ 614,715.00

East Mississippi............................ 709,527.00

Hinds....................................... 1,341,127.00

Holmes...................................... 738,315.00

Itawamba.................................... 776,873.00

Jones....................................... 930,845.00

Meridian.................................... 710,056.00

Mississippi Delta........................... 747,822.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast...................... 1,185,439.00

Northeast Mississippi....................... 742,672.00

Northwest Mississippi....................... 949,992.00

Pearl River................................. 716,262.00

Southwest Mississippi....................... 574,439.00

GRAND TOTAL................................. $12,000,000.00

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the community college or junior college for which any such monies are allocated under subsection (1) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

Section 4. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Mississippi State-Owned Buildings and IHL Repair and Renovation Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of repair and renovation of state-owned buildings and facilities, and repair and renovation of state institutions of higher learning, including having environmental studies or other studies performed for the purpose of determining, assessing and/or correcting problems regarding black mold and other hazardous substances; however, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the cost of repairs and renovations at the Mississippi School for the Deaf and the Mississippi School for the Blind.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in subsection (1) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in subsection (1) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

Section 5. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Ayers Settlement Agreement Capital Improvements Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 6. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Mississippi EDNET Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the Mississippi EDNET Institute, to pay the costs of engineering, procuring and installing equipment and facilities consisting of digital microwave interconnect and support equipment, digital video encoding and decoding equipment, digital ITFS transmission equipment, antennas and transmission lines and/or any equipment useful in establishing or maintaining a digital or analog transmission or origination system in order to complete the existing but incomplete EDNET ITFS statewide network.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to the Mississippi EDNET Institute to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer to the Mississippi EDNET Institute upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

Section 7. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Chalmers Institute Repair and Renovation Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of repairs and renovations of the Chalmers Institute in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 8. (1) (a) A special fund to be designated as the "2003 Hillcrest Cemetery Repair Fund" is created within 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. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(2) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 9. (1) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in Sections 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 of this act, the total amount of bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall not exceed One Hundred Thirty-nine Million Four Hundred Eighty-four Thousand Dollars ($139,484,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2008.

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(a) The 2003 IHL Capital and State Agencies Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this

act............................................ $119,194,000.00.

(b) The 2003 Community and Junior College Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to Section 3 of this

act............................................ $ 12,000,000.00.

of this act.................................... $ 3,000,000.00.

(d) The 2003 Mississippi EDNET Fund created pursuant to

Section 6 of this act.......................... $ 900,000.00.

(e) The 2003 Chalmers Institute Repair and Renovation

Fund created pursuant to Section 7 of this act. $ 90,000.00.

(f) The 2003 Hillcrest Cemetery Fund created pursuant

to Section 8 of this act....................... $ 300,000.00.

(g) The Rural Fire Truck Fund created pursuant to Section 17-23-1 for the rural fire truck acquisition assistance

program........................................ $ 4,000,000.00.

(3) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in Sections 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

Section 10. (1) The United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi having approved the Settlement Agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove and on notification that such agreement has become final and effective according to its terms, including, but not limited to, the exhaustion of all rights to appeal, the commission, at one time, or from time to time, shall declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes describe in Section 5 of this act. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).

(2) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 6 of this act. Any investment earnings on amount deposited into the special fund created in Section 5 of this act shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds.

Section 11. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

Section 12. The bonds authorized by Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 13. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 1 through 24 of this act, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 14. The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 1 through 24 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 15. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 16. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this act in the amounts provided for in Sections 9(2) and 10 of this act. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 17. The bonds authorized under Sections 1 through 24 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 1 through 24 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

Section 18. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 1 through 24 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 19. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under Sections 1 through 24 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 1 through 24 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 20. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 21. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 1 through 24 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 22. The proceeds of the bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 23. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 1 through 24 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

Section 24. Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 15. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00). No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2010.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(5) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created in Section 39-5-145, and the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in Section 39-5-145.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(16) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but this section of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 16. Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

39-5-145. (1) A special fund, to be designated the "Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund," is created within 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 fund shall consist of any monies designated for deposit therein from any source, including proceeds of any state general obligation bonds designated for deposit therein * * *. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into the fund. The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Monies deposited into such fund shall be allocated and disbursed according to the provisions of this section. If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds * * * and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

(2) Monies deposited into the fund shall be allocated and disbursed as follows:

(a) (i) Twenty-two Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($22,250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants on a reimbursable basis through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service in helping pay the costs incurred in preserving, restoring, rehabilitating, repairing or interpreting (i) historic county courthouses, (ii) historic school buildings, and/or (iii) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Where possible, expenditures from the fund shall be used to match federal grants or other grants that may be accessed by the Department of Archives and History, other state agencies, county governments or municipal governments, school districts or nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service. Any properties, except those described in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this subsection, receiving monies pursuant to this section must be designated as "Mississippi Landmark" properties prior to selection as projects for funding under the provisions of this section.

(ii) One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments in helping pay the costs of historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses. Grants to individual courthouses under this paragraph (a)(ii) shall not exceed Eight Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($875,000.00).

(b) Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Amory Regional Museum in Amory, Mississippi, to pay the costs of capital improvements, repair, renovation, furnishing and/or equipping of the museum. The Department of Finance and Administration is directed to transfer Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) from the fund to the city on or before December 31, 2004, and the city shall place the funds into an escrow account. The city may expend the funds from the account only in an amount equal to matching funds that are provided from any source other than the state for the project. As the funds are withdrawn from the escrow account, the city shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the amount of the funds that have been withdrawn and that the funds have been withdrawn are in an amount equal to matching funds required by this paragraph.

(c) One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Jacinto Foundation, Inc., to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing and/or equipping the courthouse and related facilities in Jacinto, Mississippi.

(d) Four Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing, equipping and/or acquiring the L.Q.C. Lamar Home in Oxford, Mississippi.

(e) Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the City of Columbus, Mississippi Federal/State Programs Department to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, reconstructing, furnishing and/or equipping the Queen City Hotel in Columbus, Mississippi.

(f) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Town of Wesson, Mississippi, to pay the costs of restoration and renovation of the Old Wesson School.

(g) Monies in the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund which are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds * * * may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection for which funding is provided under this section. Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(3) (a) The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments, municipal governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service for projects associated with the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, repair or interpretation of (a) historic courthouses, (b) historic school buildings and/or (c) other historic properties identified by certified local governments. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board. The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsections (2)(a)(ii), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(b) The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments for projects associated with historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board. The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsections (2)(a)(i), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(4) The Department of Archives and History shall publicize the Community Heritage Preservation Grant program described in this section on a statewide basis, including the publication of the criteria and standards used by the department in selecting projects for funding. The selection of a project for funding under the provisions of this section shall be made solely upon the deliberate consideration of each proposed project on its merits. The board shall make every effort to award the grants in a manner that will fairly distribute the funds in regard to the geography and cultural diversity of the state. This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsections (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

(5) With regard to any project awarded funding under this section, any consultant, planner, architect, engineer, exhibit contracting firm, historic preservation specialist or other professional hired by a grant recipient to work on any such project shall be approved by the board before their employment by the grant recipient.

(6) Plans and specifications for all projects initiated under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the board before the awarding of any contracts. The plans and specifications for any work involving "Mississippi Landmark" properties shall be developed in accordance with "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties."

SECTION 17. Section 57-64-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-64-7. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall be defined as herein provided unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Alliance" means a regional economic development alliance created under this chapter.

(b) "Bond" or "bonds" means bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the local government unit issued pursuant to this chapter.

(c) "Cost of project" means all costs of site preparation and other start-up costs; all costs of construction; all costs of fixtures and of real and personal property required for the purposes of the project and facilities related thereto, whether publicly- or privately-owned, including land and any rights or undivided interest therein, easements, franchises, fees, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and the securing of such permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and all machinery and equipment, including motor vehicles which are used for project functions; and including any cost associated with the closure, post-closure maintenance or corrective action on environmental matters, financing charges and interest prior to and during construction and during such additional period as the alliance may reasonably determine to be necessary for the placing of the project in operation; costs of engineering, surveying, environmental geotechnical, architectural and legal services; costs of plans and specifications and all expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project; administrative expenses; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the financing authorized in this chapter. The costs of any project may also include funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a renewal and replacement reserve, bond insurance and credit enhancement, and such other reserves as may be reasonably required by the alliance for the operation of its projects and as may be authorized by any bond resolution or trust agreement or indenture pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any such bonds may be authorized. Any obligation or expense incurred for any of the foregoing purposes shall be regarded as a part of the costs of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of the proceeds of user fees, of revenue bonds or notes issued under this chapter for such project, or from other revenues obtained by the alliance.

(d) "County" means any county of this state.

(e) "Foreign governmental unit" means any county, parish, city, town, village, utility district, school district, any community college, any institution of higher learning, any municipal airport authority, regional airport authority, port authority or any other political subdivision of another state.

(f) "Governing body" means the board of supervisors of any county or the governing board of any city, town or village. As to the state, the term governing body means the State Bond Commission.

(g) "Holder of bonds" or "bondholder" or any similar term means any person who shall be the registered owner of any such bond or bonds which shall at the time be registered.

(h) "Law" means any act or statute, general, special or local, of this state.

(i) "Local government unit" means any county or incorporated city, town or village in the state acting jointly or severally.

(j) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(k) "Municipality" means any incorporated municipality in the state.

(l) "Person" means a natural person, partnership, association, corporation, business trust or other business entity.

(m) "Project" means and includes any of the following which promotes economic development or which assists in the creation of jobs, whether publicly- or privately-owned:

(i) Acquisition, construction, repair, renovation, demolition or removal of:

1. Buildings and site improvements (including fixtures);

2. Potable and nonpotable water supply systems;

3. Sewage and waste disposal systems;

4. Storm water drainage and other drainage systems;

5. Airport facilities;

6. Rail lines and rail spurs;

7. Port facilities;

8. Highways, streets and other roadways;

9. Fire suppression and prevention systems;

10. Utility distribution systems, including, but not limited to, water, electricity, natural gas, telephone and other information and telecommunications facilities, whether by wire, fiber or wireless means; provided, however, that electrical, natural gas, telephone and telecommunication systems shall be constructed, repaired or renovated only for the purpose of completing the project and connecting to existing utility systems (this provision shall not be construed to prevent a city, county or natural gas district from supplying utility service that it is authorized to supply in the service area that it is authorized to serve);

11. Business, industrial and technology parks and the acquisition of land and acquisition or construction of improvements to land connected with any of the preceding purposes;

(ii) County purposes authorized by or defined in Sections 17-5-3 and 19-9-1, (except Section 19-9-1(f));

(iii) Municipal purposes authorized by or defined in Sections 17-5-3, 17-17-301 et seq., 21-27-23, 21-33-301;

(iv) Refunding of bonds as authorized in Section 21-27-1 et seq.; and

(v) A project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(i) or a facility related to the project as defined in Section 57-75-5(d), or both.

(n) "Resolution" means a resolution, ordinance, act, record of minutes or other appropriate enactment of a governing body.

(o) "Revenues" mean any and all taxes, fees, rates, rentals, profits and receipts collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the local government units and foreign governmental units, and all other monies and income of whatsoever kind or character collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the local government unit and foreign governmental units in connection with the economic development projects provided through this chapter.

(p) "Security" means a bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness issued by a local government unit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(q) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 18. Section 21-45-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-45-9. Any governing body may issue tax increment bonds, the final maturity of which shall not extend beyond thirty (30) years, for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the cost of a redevelopment project within the boundaries of the municipality, funding any reserve which the governing body may deem advisable in connection with the retirement of the proposed indebtedness and funding any other incidental expenses involved in incurring such indebtedness. The debt service of indebtedness incurred pursuant to this section shall be provided from the added increments of municipal and county ad valorem tax revenues or any portion of the sales taxes, or both, to result from any such redevelopment project and shall never constitute an indebtedness of the municipality within the meaning of any state constitutional provision or statutory limitation and shall never constitute nor give rise to a pecuniary liability of the municipality or a charge against its general credit or taxing powers.

Said bonds may be authorized by resolution or resolutions of the governing body, and may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, payable at such times, be in such denominations, be in such form, be registered, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, carry such conversion or registration privileges and be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof, as such resolution or resolutions may provide; however, such bonds shall not bear a greater interest rate to maturity than that allowed under Section 75-17-101. Said bonds shall be sold for not less than par value plus accrued interest at public sale in the manner provided by Section 31-19-25 or at private sale, in the discretion of the governing body. The lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue. Said bonds may be repurchased by the municipality out of any available funds at a price not to exceed the principal amount thereof and accrued interest, and all bonds so repurchased shall be cancelled. In connection with the issuance of said bonds, the municipality shall have the power to enter into contracts for rating of the bonds by national rating agencies; obtaining bond insurance or guarantees for such bonds and complying with the terms and conditions of such insurance or guarantees; make provision for payment in advance of maturity at the option of the owner or holder of the bonds; covenant for the security and better marketability of the bonds, including without limitation the establishment of a debt service reserve fund and sinking funds to secure or pay such bonds; and make any other provisions deemed desirable by the municipality in connection with the issuance of said bonds.

If a governing body desires to issue tax increment financing bonds under the Regional Economic Development Act, the governing body also shall comply with any requirements provided therein.

In connection with the issuance of said bonds, the municipality may arrange for lines of credit with any bank, firm or person for the purpose of providing an additional source of repayment for such bonds and amounts drawn on such lines of credit may be evidenced by bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness containing such terms and conditions as the municipality may determine; provided, however, that such bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness shall be secured by and payable from the same sources as are pledged to the payment of said bonds which are additionally secured by such line of credit, and that said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall be deemed to be bonds for all purposes of this chapter. Pending the preparation or execution of definitive bonds, interim receipts or certificates, or temporary bonds may be delivered to the purchaser or purchasers of said bonds. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds, if any, issued pursuant to this chapter shall possess all of the qualities of negotiable instruments.

The municipality may also issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. Refunding bonds may be issued at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the municipality may determine. The refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the principal of the bonds being refunded, together with any redemption premium thereon, any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of such bonds, the expenses of issuing the refunding bonds, the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded, and such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of such refunding bonds as may be required by any of the municipality's resolutions, trust indenture or other security instruments. The issuance of refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the security therefor, the rights of the holders and the rights, duties and obligations of the municipality in respect of the same shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter relating to the issuance of bonds other than refunding bonds, insofar as the same may be applicable.

Before incurring any debt pertaining to a redevelopment project incorporating a tax increment financing plan the governing body may, but shall not be required to, secure an agreement from one or more developers obligating such developer or developers:

(a) To effect the completion of all or any portion of the buildings or other facilities or improvements, as described in the redevelopment project, at no cost to the municipality;

(b) To pay all or any portion of the real property taxes due on the project in a timely manner; and

(c) To maintain and operate all or any portion of the buildings or other facilities or improvements of the project in such a manner as to preserve property values.

No breach of any such agreement shall impose any pecuniary liability upon a municipality or any charge upon its general credit or against its taxing powers.

Additionally, the municipality may enter into an agreement with the developer under which the developer may construct all or any part of the redevelopment project with private funds in advance of issuance of the bonds and may be reimbursed by the municipality for actual costs incurred by the developer upon issuance and delivery of the bonds and receipt of the proceeds, conditioned upon dedication of redevelopment project by the developer to the municipality to assure public use and access. This condition shall not apply to the privately-owned portion of a project for which the Mississippi Development Authority has issued a certificate of convenience and necessity pursuant to the Regional Economic Development Act.

SECTION 19. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and empowered to transfer to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services certain state-owned real property, and any improvements located thereon, being situated in the City of Jackson, First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, and more particularly described as follows to wit:

A tract of land containing 8.668 acres, more or less, located in the South Half (S1/2) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 1 East, City of Jackson, Hinds County First Judicial District, Mississippi, and being more particularly described as follows, to wit:

Beginning at the Northwest corner of the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of said Section 25, said point being a found iron rod in concrete and from said point run thence North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East for a distance of 58.76 feet to a point 0.50 foot distant of a back of curb; run thence the following courses being approximately 0.50 foot southerly of said back of curb with South 45 degrees 25 minutes 58 seconds East for a distance of 29.76 feet; run thence South 50 degrees 29 minutes 59 seconds East for a distance of 23.61 feet; run thence South 57 degrees 56 minutes 12 seconds East for a distance of 31.02 feet; run thence South 66 degrees 23 minutes 19 seconds East for a distance of 35.16 feet; run thence South 73 degrees 26 minutes 37 seconds East for a distance of 30.34 feet; run thence South 78 degrees 43 minutes 09 seconds East for a distance of 50.01 feet; run thence South 81 degrees 00 minutes 38 seconds East for a distance of 50.01 feet; run thence South 84 degrees 28 minutes 12 seconds East for a distance of 47.76 feet; run thence South 87 degrees 19 minutes 51 seconds East for a distance of 59.16 feet; run thence North 89 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds East for a distance of 58.98 feet; run thence North 85 degrees 35 minutes 11 seconds East for a distance of 54.84 feet; run thence North 83 degrees 34 minutes 57 seconds East for a distance of 31.79 feet; thence leaving said 0.50 foot offset of said back of curb line feet; run thence South 03 degrees 55 minutes 45 seconds West for a distance of 735.18 feet; run thence North 85 degrees 17 minutes 24 seconds West for a distance of 493.50 feet; run thence North 00 degrees 57 minutes 58 seconds East for a distance of 124.09 feet to a found iron rod at a Southeast corner of said Eastbrooke II Condominium; run thence North 00 degrees 21 minutes 00 seconds East and along the East line of said Eastbrooke II Condominium for a measured distance of 660.94 (record of 661.60) feet back to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the above described tract of land.

(2) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and empowered to convey to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services an easement over and across certain state-owned real property being situated in the City of Jackson, First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, and more particularly described as follows to wit:

A strip of land 30.00 feet in width, containing 10,175 square feet or 0.234 acres, more or less, located in the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 1 East, City of Jackson, Hinds County First Judicial District, Mississippi, and being more particularly described as follows, to wit:

Commencing at the Northwest corner of the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) of said Section 25, said point being a found iron rod in concrete and from said point run thence South 00 degrees 21 minutes 00 seconds West and along the West line of said Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE1/4) and along the East line of Eastbrooke II Condominium as recorded in Condominium Book 2 starting at page 93 of the land records of Hinds County First Judicial District at Jackson for a measured distance of 277.89 feet; run thence South 85 degrees 17 minutes 24 seconds East for a distance of 523.83 feet; run thence South 03 degrees 55 minutes 45 seconds West for a distance of 505.81 feet; run thence North 85 degrees 17 minutes 24 seconds West for a distance of 276.90 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the following described strip of land; run thence South 00 degrees 57 minutes 58 seconds West for a distance of 337.68 feet to a point on the North line of Lakeland Drive as same exists this date (February 2006); run thence South 89 degrees 00 minutes 34 seconds West and along said North line of Lakeland Drive for a distance of 30.02 feet; run thence North 00 degrees 57 minutes 58 seconds East for a distance of 340.66 feet; run thence South 85 degrees 17 minutes 24 seconds East for a distance of 30.06 feet back to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the above described strip of land.

SECTION 20. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.


X (SIGNED)	X (SIGNED)
Percy W. Watson	Thomas E. Robertson

X (SIGNED)	X (SIGNED)
Willie Bailey	Hob Bryan

X (SIGNED)	X (SIGNED)
Jamie Franks	Tom King