Senate Bill 2247

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MEMORIAL STADIUM COMMISSION TO TRANSFER AND CONVEY TO JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ALL OF ITS RIGHTS, TITLE AND INTEREST TO THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MEMORIAL STADIUM AND ANY ADJOINING STATE-OWNED LAND UNDER ITS JURISDICTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 55-23-13, 55-23-15, 55-23-17, 55-23-19 AND 55-23-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 55-23-1, 55-23-5, 55-23-7, 55-23-8, 55-23-9 AND 55-23-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MEMORIAL STADIUM COMMISSION AND PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MEMORIAL STADIUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Commission shall transfer and convey to Jackson State University all of its rights, title and interest to the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium and any adjoining state-owned land under its jurisdiction. Upon such transfer and conveyance, the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Commission shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. Section 55-23-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-23-13. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to maintain the driveways which lead to the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium and are a part of the state-owned real property under the jurisdiction of Jackson State University. In carrying out this section, the department is authorized to use its personnel, funds, equipment and machinery, and it may accept donations of funds from Jackson State University, the City of Jackson and Hinds County, which funds are hereby authorized to be expended, and other grants and bequests for carrying out the provisions of this section.

SECTION 3. Section 55-23-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-23-15. Jackson State University is hereby authorized to utilize certain state-owned land in Hinds County bounded on the east by North State Street, on the north by Taylor Street, on the west by North West Street, and on the south by a street or driveway known as Stadium Drive as a public parking facility establishing reasonable rules and regulations connected with the operation of such a facility, including fees for the privilege of parking. The parking facilities shall not be extended any farther to the east than as the facilities existed on January 1, 1996. Further, the portion of the property described in this section, except the property west of the stadium between the stadium and North West Street, that was undeveloped as of January 1, 1996, shall remain undeveloped unless the Legislature enacts legislation approving the development of such property. The portion of the property described in this section that is west of the stadium between the stadium and North West Street may be developed to provide parking facilities for the Mississippi Department of Transportation offices located on North West Street. * * * Jackson State University is authorized to lease such property to the Mississippi Transportation Commission for parking facilities for Department of Transportation offices * * *.

SECTION 4. Section 55-23-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-23-17. Jackson State University is authorized to establish penalties for tow-away or impoundment charges for individual or corporate owners of vehicles violating such rules and regulations; and such other general rules and regulations as may be reasonably necessary.

SECTION 5. Section 55-23-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-23-19. Prior to July 1, 2007, Jackson State University shall contract with the University of Mississippi Medical Center for provision by the medical center of funds in an amount reasonable and necessary to provide the following maintenance of parking facilities at the stadium:

(a) Adequate lighting;

(b) Routine care of the parking surface;

(d) Security.

In consideration of the funds provided by the medical center, the University of Mississippi Medical Center students, employees, patients and visitors, and all other state employees, will be exempt from payment of any fees imposed * * * for the use of the parking facilities at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium when there are no special events being held on the stadium grounds.

SECTION 6. Section 55-23-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

55-23-21. The Department of Finance and Administration is hereby authorized and empowered, in addition to all other powers and duties of such department, to enlarge and renovate the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in order to provide for a modern stadium having a seating capacity of approximately sixty-two thousand seven hundred thirty-one (62,731) persons, such authority to be conditioned upon a contribution by Hinds County, Mississippi, to the Department of Finance and Administration of a sum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for such enlargement and renovation. The parking facilities shall not be extended any farther to the east than as the facilities existed on January 1, 1996. Further, the portion of the state-owned property on which the stadium and parking facilities are located, except the property west of the stadium between the stadium and North West Street, that was undeveloped as of January 1, 1996, shall remain undeveloped unless the Legislature enacts legislation approving the development of such property. The portion of the state-owned property on which the stadium is located that is west of the stadium between the stadium and North West Street may be developed to provide parking facilities for the Mississippi Department of Transportation offices located on North West Street. * * *

SECTION 7. Sections 55-23-1, 55-23-5, 55-23-7, 55-23-8, 55-23-9 and 55-23-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, which create the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Commission and provide for the management and operation of the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, are hereby repealed.

SECTION 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.