Senate Bill 2597

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM TERM FOR AGRICULTURAL LEASES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 47-5-64, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

47-5-64. The * * * commissioner * * * is hereby directed to determine the number of acres and location of land under its jurisdiction which are needed for security purposes and for Prison Agricultural Enterprises. The commissioner * * * shall designate and reserve such additional land for agricultural enterprise projects of the department * * *, as he deems necessary. The * * * commissioner * * * shall then recommend to the Department of Finance and Administration the number of acres of department land which should be leased to private entities and the term of the leases. The Department of Finance and Administration shall have the authority to lease for agricultural purposes that Penitentiary land so recommended for not less than three (3) nor more than eight (8) years, with the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board.

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