MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Robertson, Burton, Butler, Chaney, Fillingane, Frazier, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Little, Morgan, Posey, Thomas, Walls, White

Senate Bill 3201

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS FOR STATE AGENCIES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF A STATEWIDE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE STATE'S PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING A NEW HIGHWAY FROM U.S. HIGHWAY 61 NORTH OF PORT GIBSON, MISSISSIPPI, TO GRAND GULF ROAD ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE GRAND GULF NUCLEAR POWER STATION IN CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING CERTAIN HIGHWAY PROJECTS; TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO COOPERATE WITH THE MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DESIGNATING A PORTION OF U.S. 45 AS AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND A CRISIS INTERVENTION MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PAY THE COST OF ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS AND MUSEUM CONSULTANTS FOR THE JOHN C. ROBINSON MISSISSIPPI AVIATION MUSEUM; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LYNN MEADOWS DISCOVERY CENTER IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,900,000.00 TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 49-17-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE INTEREST AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON MONEY IN THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND TO BE UTILIZED TO PAY DEBT SERVICE ON THE BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY THIS ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $20,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 65-37-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE MONIES DURING THE 2007 REGULAR SESSION TO THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE SMALL MUNICIPALITIES AND LIMITED POPULATION COUNTIES FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS MAY BE UTILIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN COSTS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE TAX COMMISSION TO ENTER INTO LONG-TERM LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A COOPERATIVE DATA CENTER AND A BUILDING TO HOUSE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 2, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO REVISE THE DESIGNATION OF A SPECIAL FUND; TO AMEND SECTIONS 97 THROUGH 118, LAWS OF 2004 THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 13, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO REVISE THE DESCRIPTION OF A PROJECT AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY; TO AMEND SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 24, CHAPTER 522, LAWS OF 2003, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 14, CHAPTER 538, LAWS OF 2006, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH CERTAIN BOND PROCEEDS MAY BE UTILIZED; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 14, CHAPTER 589, LAWS OF 1999, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER 502, LAWS OF 2001, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE WALTHALL SCHOOL BUILDING IN HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI; TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 37-101-143, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE EQUIPMENT LEASING AND PURCHASE PROGRAM OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR THE USE OF ITS INSTITUTIONS; TO GRANT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES WITH REGARD TO SUCH PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE ALL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING DESIRING TO PURCHASE, LEASE OR LEASE/PURCHASE EQUIPMENT INVOLVING AN EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF $5,000.00 TO UTILIZE THE EQUIPMENT LEASING AND PURCHASE PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 57-31-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO ENGAGE IN WORKS OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES ON PROPERTY IT ACQUIRES AND TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES NECESSARY OR REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES; TO AUTHORIZE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO SELL, LEASE, TRADE, EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF INDUSTRIAL SITES SITUATED WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-23-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT A COUNTY MAY RECEIVE UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY RURAL FIRE TRUCK FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER 14, LAWS OF 2005 FIFTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, TO REVISE THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR WHICH THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY EXTEND THE TERM OF LOANS MADE UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI DISASTER SMALL BUSINESS BRIDGE LOAN ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

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 "2007 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.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, 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:

Department of Archives and History.............. $ 1,000,000.00

Additional Funds for

construction, renovation,

furnishing and equipping of

the State Records Center ... $ 1,000,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration....... $ 10,000,000.00

Purchase of a construction

management software system for the

Bureau of Building, Grounds

and Real Property

Management ................. $ 1,000,000.00

Repair and renovation, parking

improvements and building

demolition at the state-owned facility

located at 515 East Amite Street

in Jackson ................. $ 7,500,000.00

Preplanning of a National

Civil Rights Museum ........ $ 500,000.00 Construction of a mechanical loop

for Capitol facilities and

energy conservation

measures ................... $ 1,000,000.00

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

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation and

improvement of infrastructure

at the State Penitentiary

at Parchman ................ $ 1,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation and

improvement of infrastructure

at the Central Mississippi

Correctional Facility

in Rankin County ........... $ 1,500,000.00

Repair and renovation of

buildings and facilities and

repair, renovation and

improvement of infrastructure

at the South Mississippi

Correctional Institute

at Leakesville ............. $ 1,000,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks..... $ 3,400,000.00

General repair and renovation

of existing facilities,

repair, renovation and

improvement of dams,

spillways and other

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

Repair of the Lake Dockery

Dam in Hinds County ........ $ 1,300,000.00

Construction, furnishing,

equipping, repair and renovation

of the North MS Fish

Hatchery (to be issued only

in the event of the commitment

of in kind services from the

Yazoo Mississippi Levee

District with a value of

at least $525,000.00) ...... $ 1,100,000.00

Department of Human Services.................... $ 7,500,000.00

Preplanning, construction,

general repairs, renovations,

furnishing and equipping

of buildings and facilities at

the Columbia Training School

and the Oakley Training

School ..................... $ 7,500,000.00

Mississippi Industries for the Blind............ $ 500,000.00

General repairs and renovations

of buildings and facilities,

preplanning of a

new building ............... $ 500,000.00

Mississippi Authority for Educational Television$ 2,000,000.00

Federal match for radio transmitters,

necessary maintenance upgrades

to television and radio system

and television maximization

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

Department of Mental Health..................... $ 12,000,000.00

Purchase and installation of

a sprinkler system in

buildings at the Mississippi

State Hospital ............. $ 3,000,000.00

Repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of the water system

and related facilities at

Boswell Regional Center .... $ 1,500,000.00

Replacement, furnishing and

equipping of a cafeteria

at East Mississippi

State Hospital ............. $ 5,000,000.00

Replacement, furnishing and

equipping of laundry facilities

at East Mississippi

State Hospital ............. $ 2,500,000.00

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency......... $ 750,000.00

Completion of furnishing

and equipping of new

headquarters building

and construction of a

warehouse .................. $ 750,000.00

Mississippi Military Department................. $ 2,000,000.00

Matching funds for construction,

equipping and furnishing of

additions to and the expansion

of the Armed Forces Museum

at Camp Shelby (to be issued

only in the event federal funds

are made available in an equal

or greater amount) ......... $ 2,000,000.00

Mississippi Fair Commission..................... $ 7,500,000.00

General repair and renovations,

upgrades to infrastructure,

heating, ventilation, air

conditioning and

electrical systems at the

MS Coliseum/Trademart ...... $ 7,500,000.00

Department of Rehabilitation Services........... $ 4,000,000.00

Renovation, additions, furnishing

and equipping of the

headquarters building ...... $ 4,000,000.00

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

General repair and renovation

of buildings and facilities

to include compliance with

federal regulations and

guidelines ................. $ 900,000.00

State Tax Commission/Alcoholic Beverage Control

Division...................................... $ 2,750,000.00

Replace roof and roof top equipment

of ABC Warehouse ........... $ 2,750,000.00

Department of Marine Resources.................. $ 2,000,000.00

Purchase of equipment to be

utilized by an entity

that has contracted with the

department to process seafood

waste ...................... $ 2,000,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $ 60,300,000.00

(b) 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 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) Any amounts allocated to an agency that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency 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.

(3) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2007 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.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of site improvements, general weatherization, demolition and roofing, environmental, mechanical, electrical and structural repairs required for state-owned facilities, repair and renovation of state-owned facilities necessary for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and purchase of necessary furniture and equipment.

(iii) Repairs and renovations to facilities at Gulf Coast Community College.

(iv) Completion of previously authorized projects.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c) 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 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 Eighty-four Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($84,300,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2012.

(b) 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:

(i) The 2007 State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to subsection (2) of this

section........................................ $ 60,300,000.00.

(ii) The 2007 Bureau of Buildings Discretionary Fund created pursuant to subsection (3) of this

section........................................ $ 24,000,000.00.

(5) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in subsections (2) and (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.

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) 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.

(12) 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.

(13) 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.

(14) 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.

(15) 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.

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

(17) 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.

(18) 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.

(19) 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 "Statewide Wireless Communications System 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, based upon recommendations of the Wireless Communication Commission created in Section 25-53-171, to provide funds for the construction, maintenance and operation of a statewide wireless communications system, including, but not limited to, design and other engineering services, purchase of equipment, purchase and lease of real property, rent or lease of tower space, personnel and other associated project costs.

(iii) It is the policy of the Wireless Communication Commission and the Wireless Communication Commission is authorized to accommodate and support any company or other entity, with which monies in the special fund are expended for the purposes described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a), that wishes to have a program of diversity in contracting, and/or that wishes to do business with or cause its prime contractor to do business with Mississippi companies, including those companies that are 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 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 subparagraph (iii).

(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 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.

(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.

(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. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Wireless Communication Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Wireless Communication 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 this section shall not exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00).

(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.

(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 3. (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 special fund, to be designated the "Grand Gulf Access Road Construction 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, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund. The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Money deposited into such fund shall be disbursed to pay the State of Mississippi's portion of the cost of constructing a new highway from U.S. Highway 61 north of Port Gibson, Mississippi, running in a northwesterly direction approximately five and two-tenths (5-2/10) miles to intersect with Grand Gulf Road on the northern side of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station in Claiborne County, Mississippi.

(3) (a) At such time as federal funds are available for the project described in subsection (2) of this section, which, when combined with the proceeds of bonds issued under this section, will fully fund such project, the Mississippi Transportation 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 project described in subsection (2) of this section. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Transportation Commission declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Mississippi Transportation 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 amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00).

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the Grand Gulf Access Road Construction 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.

(c) Upon the completion or abandonment of the project described in subsection (2) of this section, as evidenced by a resolution adopted by the Mississippi Transportation Commission certifying that such project has been completed or abandoned, the balance, if any, remaining in the Grand Gulf Access Road Construction Fund shall be promptly applied to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the 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), 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 State Bond 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) 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, 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 this section, may provide that 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) 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 purpose are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest upon such bonds as they become due, 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 foregoing 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 Grand Gulf Access Road Construction Fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Mississippi Transportation Commission under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(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.

(17) The provisions of 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. (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 the "2007 Department of Transportation 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. The expenditure of money deposited in the fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Transportation Commission and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration. Money in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed to pay the cost of purchasing right-of-way for the U.S. 278 bypass and adjacent portion of Mississippi 25 going north from U.S. 278 bypass in and near Amory, Mississippi.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. 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.

(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. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Transportation Commission, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Mississippi Transportation 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 this section shall not exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00).

Notice of the sale of any such bond 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.

(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 Mississippi Transportation Commission under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(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 5. The Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Development Authority are directed to work with the Mississippi congressional delegation to determine the feasibility of designating U.S. 45-A as an interstate highway through Lee, Monroe, Chickasaw, Clay and Lowndes Counties.

SECTION 6. (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 the "2007 Community Group Home and Crisis Intervention Center Construction 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.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, as follows:

1. To pay the cost of constructing, furnishing and equipping three (3) intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (community group homes) for the Department of Mental Health to be located in Tate County,

Jasper County and Jones County................... $2,100,000.00.

2. To pay the cost of constructing, furnishing and equipping a crisis intervention mental health facility in Marshall County$2,000,000.00.

(d) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to pay for constructing, furnishing and equipping three (3) intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (community group homes) and a crisis intervention facility at the locations provided for in paragraph (a)(ii) of this subsection.

(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. 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 section 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 One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,100,000.00).

(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 7. (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 the "2007 Crisis Intervention Mental Health Facility 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.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the cost of construction of a crisis intervention mental health facility for the Department of Mental Health to be located in Jackson County, or acquisition, renovation, furnishing and equipping of an existing building located in Jackson County to be utilized as a crisis intervention mental health facility.

(iii) The Department of Mental Health is authorized to lease the Jackson County facility described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.

(d) The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to pay for constructing, furnishing and equipping crisis intervention mental health facilities at the locations provided for in paragraph (a)(ii) of this subsection.

(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. 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 Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

(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 8. (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 "John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum 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 by the Department of Finance and Administration to the John C. Robinson "Brown Condor" Association to pay the costs of architectural planning and museum consultants for the John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum in Gulfport, Mississippi.

(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. 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 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 Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section from and after July 1, 2011.

(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 9. (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 "2007 Mississippi Children's Museum 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 described in subsection (3)(a) of this section.

(3) (a) Upon the receipt of matching funds or verification that the matching funds described in this paragraph are forthcoming, 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 to provide funds for the: (i) repair, renovation, remodeling, equipping, furnishing, adding to or improving the old National Guard Armory on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi, or another structure if approved by the Department of Finance and Administration as provided in Section 39-23-3(a), for use as a children's museum; (ii) repair, renovation, furnishing and equipping of the facility at the location described in Section 39-23-3(c);(iii) construction, furnishing and equipping of a facility at the location described in Section 39-23-3(d); or (iv) construction, furnishing and equipping of a facility at a location selected as provided in Section 39-23-3(e). The issuance of the bonds described in this paragraph and the allocation of such funds are conditioned upon the private sector or local or federal government providing Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) to match the funds provided under this section. The matching funds required pursuant to this subsection may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions or any combination of cash or in-kind contributions. In-kind contributions shall include, but not be limited to, the value of exhibits that are contributed to the children's museum.

(b) 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 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 amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).

(c) 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.

(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 10. (1) (a) Upon the receipt of matching funds or verification that the matching funds described in this subsection are forthcoming, the Department of Finance and Administration, at one (1) time or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in an amount not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) to provide funds for improvements to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport, Mississippi. Such improvements shall include the repair and renovation of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, improvement of parking facilities at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and other necessary improvements to such facility and the grounds of such facility. The issuance of the bonds described in this subsection and the allocation of such funds are conditioned upon the private sector or local or federal government providing One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) to match the funds provided under this section. The matching funds required pursuant to this subsection may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions or any combination of cash or in-kind contributions.

(b) 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 shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the State Bond 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.

(c) The amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for the project described in subsection (1) of this section.

(2) 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 exceeding the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, 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 determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission.

(3) The bonds authorized under this section 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 affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond 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 in this section to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(4) 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 State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(5) The State Bond 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 all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of the bonds. The State Bond Commission may 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 the bonds. The State Bond 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 may 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 bond 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 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 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.

(6) 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 section.

(7) The State Treasurer is authorized to certify to the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Executive Director of 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 on the bonds, on their due dates.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under this section, the State Bond Commission shall deposit the proceeds of any such sale or sales in a special fund created in the State Treasury to be known as the "Lynn Meadows Discovery Center Fund." Such fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund. The proceeds of such bonds shall be used solely for the purposes provided in this section, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds. The costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds shall be disbursed by warrant upon requisition of the State Bond Commission, signed by the chairman of the commission. The remaining monies in the fund shall be expended solely under the direction 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, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration.

(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 that are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under 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.

(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 this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining to the bonds may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce 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 on the bonds.

(12) All bonds issued under 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 that 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 this section and income from the bonds shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

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

SECTION 11. (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 on Environmental Quality, 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 Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund established in Section 49-17-85. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Commission on Environmental Quality, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Commission on Environmental Quality shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission; however, the commission shall declare the necessity for the issuance of bonds only in the amount necessary to match projected federal funds available through the following federal fiscal year. 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 Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,900,000.00).

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this subsection of this act shall be deposited into the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 49-17-85.

(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. Interest and investment earnings on money in the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund shall be utilized to pay the principal and interest on such bonds as they become due. If the interest and investment earnings of the fund and any 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.

(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 Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created in Section 49-17-85. After the transfer of the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, any investment earnings or interest earned on the proceeds of such bonds shall be deposited to the credit of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and shall be used only for the purposes provided in Section 49-17-85. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Commission on Environmental Quality 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.

(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 12. Section 49-17-85, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-17-85. (1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund" which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The revolving fund may receive bond proceeds and funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source, public or private. The revolving fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section.

(2) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Water Pollution Control Hardship Grants Fund," which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The grants fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section. Any interest earned on monies in the grants fund shall be credited to that fund.

(3) The commission shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the revolving fund program, the hardship grants program and for related programs authorized under this section. The regulations shall be in accordance with the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended and regulations and guidance issued under that act. The commission may enter into capitalization grant agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and may accept capitalization grant awards made under Title VI of the Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended.

(4) The commission shall establish a loan program which shall commence after October 1, 1988, to assist political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. Loans from the revolving fund may be made to political subdivisions as set forth in a loan agreement in amounts not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) of eligible project costs as established by the commission. Notwithstanding loan amount limitations set forth in Section 49-17-61, the commission may require local participation or funding from other sources, or otherwise limit the percentage of costs covered by loans from the revolving fund. The commission may establish a maximum amount for any loan in order to provide for broad and equitable participation in the program.

(5) The commission shall establish a hardship grants program for rural communities, which shall commence after July 1, 1997, to assist severely economically disadvantaged small rural political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. The commission may receive and administer state or federal funds, or both, appropriated for the operation of this grants program and may take all actions necessary to implement the program in accordance with the federal hardship grants program. The hardship grants program shall operate in conjunction with the revolving loan program administered under this section.

(6) The commission shall act for the state in all matters and with respect to all determinations under Title VI of the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended and the federal Omnibus Appropriations and Recision Act of 1996.

(7) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the revolving fund may be used only:

(a) To make loans on the condition that:

(i) The loans are made at or below market interest rates, at terms not to exceed the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion; the interest rate and term may vary from time to time and from loan to loan at the discretion of the commission;

(ii) Periodic principal and interest payments will commence when required by the commission but not later than one (1) year after project completion and all loans will be fully amortized when required by the commission but not later than the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion;

(iii) The recipient of a loan will establish a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of loans;

(b) To buy or refinance the debt obligation of political subdivisions at or below market rates, where the debt obligations were incurred after March 7, 1985, and where the projects were constructed in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations;

(c) To guarantee, or purchase insurance for, obligations of political subdivisions where the action would improve credit market access or reduce interest rates;

(d) To provide loan guarantees for similar revolving funds established by municipalities or intermunicipal agencies;

(e) To earn interest on fund accounts;

(f) To establish nonpoint source pollution control management programs;

(g) To establish estuary conservation and management programs;

(h) For the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund and conducting activities under this act, subject to the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature; * * *

(i) In connection with the issuance, sale and purchase of bonds under Section 31-25-1 et seq., related to the funding of projects, to provide security or a pledge of revenues for the repayment of the bonds; and

(j) To pay the principal and interest on bonds issued pursuant to Section 11 of Senate Bill No. 3201, 2007 Regular Session, as they become due; however, only interest and investment earnings on money in the fund may be utilized for this purpose.

(8) The hardship grants program shall be used only to provide hardship grants consistent with the federal hardship grants program for rural communities, regulations and guidance issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, subsections (3) and (5) of this section and regulations promulgated and guidance issued by the commission under this section.

(9) The commission shall establish by regulation a system of priorities and a priority list of projects eligible for funding with loans from the revolving fund.

(10) The commission may provide a loan from the revolving fund only with respect to a project if that project is on the priority list established by the commission.

(11) The revolving fund shall be credited with all payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all or any portion of payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section may be designated or pledged for repayment of a loan as provided for in Section 31-25-28 in connection with a loan from the Mississippi Development Bank.

(12) The commission may establish and collect fees to defray the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund if it determines that the administrative costs will exceed the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended. The administration fees may be included in loan amounts to political subdivisions for the purpose of facilitating payment to the commission. The fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount.

(13) The commission may, on a case-by-case basis and to the extent allowed by federal law, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in such counties; however, the interest on the loans shall not be forgiven for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months and the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.

SECTION 13. (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 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 the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. 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 Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00).

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. 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.

(3) 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.

(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 Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. 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.

(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.

(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.

SECTION 14. Section 65-37-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-37-13. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund." The fund shall consist of such monies as the Legislature appropriates pursuant to subsection (2) of this section and such other monies as the Legislature may designate for deposit into the fund. Monies in the fund may be expended upon legislative appropriation in accordance with the provisions of Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15.

(2) (a) During each regular legislative session held in calendar years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, if the official General Fund revenue estimate for the succeeding fiscal year for which appropriations are being made reflects a growth in General Fund revenues of three percent (3%) or more for that succeeding fiscal year, then the Legislature shall appropriate Twenty-five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) from the State General Fund for deposit into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund.

(b) During the regular legislative session held in calendar year 1999, if the official General Fund revenue estimate for the succeeding fiscal year for which appropriations are being made reflects a growth in General Fund revenues of two percent (2%) or more for the succeeding fiscal year, then the Legislature shall appropriate Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) from the State General Fund for deposit into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (c), during each regular legislative session held in calendar years 2001 through 2008, if the official General Fund revenue estimate for the succeeding fiscal year for which appropriations are being made reflects a growth in General Fund revenues of two percent (2%) or more for the succeeding fiscal year, then the Legislature shall appropriate Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) from the State General Fund for deposit into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund. However, during the regular legislative sessions held in calendar years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Legislature shall not be required to appropriate funds for deposit into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund.

(3) Such monies as are deposited into the fund under the provisions of this section may be expended upon requisition therefor by the State Aid Engineer in accordance with the provisions of Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15. The Office of State Aid Road Construction shall be entitled to reimbursement from monies in the fund, upon requisitions therefor by the State Aid Engineer, for the actual expenses incurred by the office in administering the provisions of the local system bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. 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 the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(4) Monies in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund shall be allocated and become available for distribution to counties in accordance with the formula prescribed in Section 65-37-4 beginning January 1, 1995, on a project-by-project basis. Monies in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under Sections 65-37-1 through 65-37-15.

(5) Monies in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund may be credited to a county in advance of the normal accrual to finance certain projects, subject to the approval of the State Aid Engineer and subject further to the following limitations:

(a) That the maximum amount of such monies that may be advanced to any county shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the funds estimated to accrue to such county during the remainder of the term of office of the board of supervisors of such county;

(b) That no advance credit of funds will be made to any county when the unobligated balance in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund is less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00); and

(c) That such advance crediting of funds be effected by the State Aid Engineer at the time of the approval of the plans and specifications for the proposed projects.

It is the intent of this provision to utilize to the fullest practicable extent the balance of monies in the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund on hand at all times.

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 Mississippi Development Authority, 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 57-1-18. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Development Authority, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Mississippi Development 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 Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2011.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund created pursuant to Section 57-1-18. 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.

(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 Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund created in Section 57-1-18. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Mississippi Development Authority 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.

(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.

SECTION 16. Section 57-1-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-1-18. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Limited population county" means a county in the State of Mississippi with a population of thirty thousand (30,000) or less according to the most recent federal decennial census at the time the county submits its application to the MDA under this section.

(b) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) "Project" means highways, streets and other roadways, bridges, sidewalks, utilities, airfields, airports, acquisition of equipment, acquisition of real property, development of real property, improvements to real property, and any other project approved by the MDA.

(d) "Small municipality" means a municipality in the State of Mississippi with a population of ten thousand (10,000) or less according to the most recent federal decennial census at the time the municipality submits its application to the MDA under this section.

(2) (a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund," which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund shall be used to make grants to small municipalities and limited population counties or natural gas districts created by law and contained therein to assist in completing projects under this section.

(b) Monies in the fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 538, Laws of 2002,Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 508, Laws of 2003, Sections 55 through 70 of Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 482, Laws of 2006, or Section 15 of Senate Bill No. 3201, 2007 Regular Session, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided under this section from the use of proceeds of such bonds. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the MDA. 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. Reimbursements under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(3) The MDA shall establish a grant program to make grants to small municipalities and limited population counties from the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund. Grants made under this section to a small municipality or a limited population county shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) during any grant period established by the MDA. A small municipality or limited population county may apply to the MDA for a grant under this section in the manner provided for in this section.

(4) A small municipality or limited population county desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application must include a description of the project for which assistance is requested, the cost of the project for which assistance is requested, the amount of assistance requested and any other information required by the MDA.

(5) The MDA shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the department shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section.

(6) The MDA shall file an annual report with the Governor, Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives not later than December 1 of each year, describing all assistance provided under this section.

SECTION 17. The State Tax Commission may enter into long-term or multiyear leases of real property with other state agencies.

SECTION 18. Section 1, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, is amended as follows:

Section 1. (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 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........................... $ 27,700,000.00

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..........$27,700,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $ 51,600,000.00

(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.

(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.

(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 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 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 Fifty-one Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($51,600,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2010.

(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 19. Section 2, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, is amended as follows:

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 * * * 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 amounts 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 20. Sections 97 through 118, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Section 13, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, 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

* * *

Demolition and replacement

of the Charles Moore

Building, Dansby Hall and

Johnson Hall ............... $ 7,000,000.00

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 Capitol 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 97 through 118 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 97 through 118 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.

(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.

(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.

(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 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, 99, 101 and 102 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 104 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 amounts 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 21. 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, as amended by Section 14, Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, 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 or refurbishing

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 and a

physical education facility

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.

(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.

(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 or previously authorized capital projects at the agency or institution of higher learning to which such amount is allocated.

(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.

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 described 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 amounts 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 22. Sections 1 through 14, Chapter 589, Laws of 1999, as amended by Chapter 502, Laws of 2001, which provide for the issuance of state general obligation bonds for improvement to the Walthall School building in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, are repealed.

SECTION 23. The following shall be codified as Section 37-101-413, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-101-413. (1) As used in this section, the term "state institutions of higher learning" means those institutions identified in Section 37-101-1 and the University Research Center.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may establish an equipment leasing and purchase program for the use of the state institutions of higher learning. In establishing and administering the program, the board may perform the following actions:

(a) Adopt policies and procedures to implement the program;

(b) Establish offices or subordinate units as may be necessary for the administration of the program;

(d) Acquire by purchase, lease or lease-purchase contract and retain or transfer ownership or possession of instructional and other equipment;

(e) Contract for the leasing of such properties and for the financing of leases and purchases;

(f) Enter into contracts with others to provide any services deemed necessary and advisable by the board;

(g) Make purchases and enter into leases according to the requirements of the state public purchasing laws and the requirements of those laws establishing the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services;

(h) Enter into lease financing agreements in connection with purchases made under the authority of this section;

(i) Require the transfer of appropriations of general funds or self-generated funds from the state institutions to those funds that the board may determine are required in connection with any lease financing agreements;

(j) Develop administrative methods for determining age, useful life, replacement value, current use, condition and other characteristics of instructional and research equipment at the state institutions and research facilities;

(k) Determine obsolescence of the equipment and establish priorities for replacement or provision of the equipment or its transfer to another state institution that can continue to utilize it; and

(l) Develop long-range plans for the orderly and systematic acquisition and utilization of the instructional and research equipment in order to eliminate waste and duplication, provide the maximum efficiency of use for expenditures, and achieve equitable allocations of equipment funds to the state institutions consistent with the roles of the institutions and disciplines served.

(3) All institutions of higher learning desiring to purchase, lease or lease-purchase equipment involving an expenditure or expenditures of more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) must procure that equipment under the equipment leasing and purchase program unless funds for the procurement of the equipment under the program are unavailable or the equipment can be procured elsewhere at an overall cost lower than that for which the equipment can be procured under the program.

SECTION 24. Section 57-31-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-31-5. (1) The industrial development authority is hereby expressly authorized and empowered to acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise, and to own, hold, maintain, control and develop real estate situated within the county, either within or without the corporate limits of a municipality for development, use and operation and shall be referred to herein as the "project." The industrial development authority is further authorized and empowered to engage in works of internal improvement, including, but not limited to, construction or contracting for the construction of streets, roads, railroads, site improvements, water, sewerage, drainage, pollution and other related facilities necessary or required for industrial or commercial use and development within the county, and to acquire, purchase, install, lease, construct, own, hold, equip, control, maintain, use, operate, and repair other structures and facilities necessary and convenient for the planning, development, use, operation and maintenance within the county for industrial or commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, utility installations, elevators, compressors, warehouses, air, rail, and other transportation terminals and pollution control facilities.

(2) The authority is authorized and empowered to sell, lease, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose of industrial sites situated within the county to individuals, firms or corporations, public or private, for industrial or commercial use upon such terms and conditions for consideration and with safeguards as will best promote and protect the public interest, convenience and necessity, and to execute deeds, leases, contracts, easements, and other legal instruments necessary or convenient.

(3) The authority is authorized and empowered to fix and prescribe fees, charges and rates for the use of any water, sewerage, pollution or other facilities constructed and operated within the county and to collect the same from persons, firms and corporations using the same for industrial or commercial purposes.

(4) The authority is authorized and empowered to employ engineers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and such personnel as shall be reasonably necessary to carry out the duties and authority authorized by this chapter.

(5) The authority is expressly authorized and empowered to borrow money and issue negotiable promissory notes evidencing the same under the provisions of Section 57-31-9. In addition to or in lieu of the pledges authorized in Section 57-31-23, the authority may secure such notes by the execution of a deed of trust upon any real estate belonging to the authority not otherwise encumbered.

(6) The enumeration of any specific rights and powers contained herein, and elsewhere in this chapter, where followed by general powers, shall not be construed in a restrictive sense, but rather in as broad and comprehensive a sense as possible to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(7) (a) Any such sale, lease, trade, exchange or other disposition of industrial sites may be made, completed or executed upon such terms and conditions and for such monetary or other consideration as may be found adequate and approved by the authority in orders or resolutions authorizing the same subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(b) In cases involving the lease of industrial sites, any covenants and obligations of the lessee to make expenditures in determined amounts, and within such time or times, for improvements to be erected on the land by such lessee and to conduct thereon industrial operations in such aggregate payroll amounts and for such period of time or times as may be determined by the authority and defined in the transaction documents, and to give preference in employment where practicable to qualified residents of the county, shall, if included in the transaction documents, constitute and be deemed sufficient consideration for the execution of any such transaction document in the absence of a monetary or other considerations. A lease may contain reasonable provisions giving the lessee the right to remove its or his improvements upon termination of the lease.

(c) In cases other than a lease of an industrial site, any covenants and obligations of the grantee to make expenditures in determined amounts, and within such time or times, for improvements to be erected on the land by such grantee and to conduct thereon industrial operations in such aggregate payroll amounts and for such period of time or times as may be determined by the authority and defined in the transaction documents, and to give preference in employment where practicable to qualified residents of the county, shall, if included in the transaction documents, constitute and be deemed sufficient consideration for the execution of any such transaction document in the absence of a monetary or other considerations; however, the title to the property shall be transferred by a lease-purchase agreement with the stipulation that the conditions included in the transaction documents must be met to the satisfaction of the authority in order for the sale, trade, exchange or other disposition of the industrial site to be finally consummated.

SECTION 25. Section 17-23-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

17-23-11. (1) There is established a supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program to be administered by the Department of Insurance for the purpose of assisting counties and municipalities in the acquisition of fire trucks. The supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program is in addition to the rural fire truck acquisition assistance program established in Section 17-23-1 or any other program by which counties and municipalities acquire fire trucks.

(2) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Supplementary Rural Fire Truck Fund" which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner, and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Monies in the fund shall be used for the purpose of assisting counties and municipalities in the acquisition of fire trucks. 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 the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(3) (a) A county that meets the requirements provided herein may receive an amount of not more than Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per fire truck. Monies distributed under this section shall be expended only for the purchase of new fire trucks and such trucks must meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards in the 1900 series.

(b) The board of supervisors of the county shall submit its request for the receipt of monies to the Department of Insurance. A committee composed of the Commissioner of Insurance, the State Fire Coordinator, the Director of the Rating Bureau and the Director of the State Fire Academy shall review the requests by the boards of supervisors and shall determine whether the county or municipality for which the board of supervisors has requested a truck meets the requirements of eligibility under this section.

(i) A county or municipality must pledge to set aside or dedicate each year as matching funds, for a period not to extend over ten (10) years, local funds in an amount equal to or not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the amount of monies for which it is requesting distribution from the Supplementary Rural Fire Truck Fund, which pledged monies may be derived from local ad valorem tax authorized by law or from any other funds available to the county or municipality, except for those funds received by municipalities or counties from the Municipal Fire Protection Fund or the County Volunteer Fire Department Fund, as defined in Sections 83-1-37 and 83-1-39.

(ii) A municipality must provide adequate documentation of its contract with the county that requires the municipality to provide fire protection in rural areas. The term "rural areas" means any area within the county located outside the boundaries of an incorporated municipality or any incorporated municipality with a population of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or less.

(iii) A county or a municipality, designated by the county, must have exhausted all rounds of applications for fire trucks available to it under Section 17-23-1.

(d) The Department of Insurance shall maintain an accurate record of all monies distributed to counties and municipalities and the number of fire trucks purchased and the cost for each fire truck, such records to be kept separate from other records of the Department of Insurance; notify counties and municipalities of the supplementary rural fire truck acquisition assistance program and the requirements for them to become eligible to participate; adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and desirable to implement the provisions of this section; and file with the Legislature a report detailing how monies made available under this chapter were distributed and spent during the preceding portion of the fiscal year in each county and municipality, the number of fire trucks purchased, the counties and municipalities making such purchases and the cost of each fire truck purchased.

SECTION 26. Section 3, Chapter 14, Laws of 2005 Fifth Extraordinary Session, is amended as follows:

Section 3. (1) The Mississippi Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as the "authority") is authorized and empowered to utilize any funds acquired pursuant to Section 5 of this act and any funds otherwise provided for the purposes expressed in this act from any source, to establish a disaster loan program with federally insured financial institutions or other approved lending institutions according to rules and regulations of the authority to provide short-term bridge loans to small business owners in this state for the purpose of assisting such small businesses in returning to business as quickly as possible.

(2) The amount of any loan granted under this act shall be not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). The term of any loan made under this section shall be ninety (90) days or one hundred eighty (180) days as determined by the authority based upon the circumstances of the business applying for the loan. However, upon request by the issuing financial institution, the authority may extend the term of any loan made under this act up to an additional one hundred eighty (180) days, and, upon the request of the issuing financial institution, the authority may extend the term of any loan up to an additional three hundred sixty (360) days beyond the term of any such extension. The proceeds of the loans authorized under this act shall be used only for the purpose of maintaining or restarting the business in the area for which a disaster declaration by the Governor for Hurricane Katrina was issued.

(3) To be eligible for the loans authorized under this act, small businesses shall:

(a) Be located in the area for which a disaster declaration for Hurricane Katrina was issued by the Governor;

(b) Have been established in the area for which the disaster declaration of the Governor for Hurricane Katrina was issued for not less than one (1) year prior to the declaration;

(c) Have employed not less than two (2) nor more than one hundred (100) persons immediately prior to the disaster declaration;

(d) Have suffered physical damage as a direct result of the disaster; and

(e) Be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by Mississippi residents, or, in the case of a Mississippi nonprofit corporation, controlled by Mississippi residents.

(4) Using assessments of the disaster impacted areas, the authority shall designate the area, and the counties in the area, in which a small business must be located to be eligible to participate in the program. The authority shall develop, adopt and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the operation of the loan program established under this act. The rules and regulations shall govern the use of loan proceeds, terms of loans, loan interest rates and fees, the loan approval process and any other matters the authority considers appropriate. For purposes of the program established by this act, the authority shall be exempt from the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

SECTION 27. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.