House Bill 757

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO ACCEPT, BUDGET, RECEIVE AND EXPEND FUNDS FROM ANY SOURCE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITIES AND FOR MARKETING AND PROMOTION PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND FOR THOSE FUNDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO ALLOW ADVERTISING ON DEPARTMENT PROPERTY AND IN ITS PUBLICATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO SELL CERTAIN ITEMS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY MUSEUM AFTER REASONABLE ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTACT THE DONOR OF SUCH ITEM AND ARE UNSUCCESSFUL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

(b) "Museum" means the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

(2) The department may accept, budget, receive and expend funds from any source for improvements to department property and for marketing and promotion programs.

(3) (a) The department may allow a federal, state, or local governmental entity or a public, private, commercial or charitable entity to use, publish or advertise the entity's name on department property and in its publications.

(b) Any funds received from this advertising shall be retained by the department and expended for improvements to its property, and marketing and promotion programs.

(c) The department may accept, budget, receive and expend these funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in the manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

(4) (a) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund for the department for the monies collected under this section.

(b) Unexpended monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into the fund.

(5) (a) The department shall make reasonable attempts to notify the donor of any donated property or artifacts determined to be obsolete to allow such donor to retake possession of such item. If efforts to notify the donor prove unsuccessful, then the department may dispose of, auction or sell any property or artifact in the possession of the museum if the department determines that it is obsolete, no longer of value or use to the museum or unclaimed by the donor.

(b) All funds received under this section on behalf of the museum, shall be transferred into the nonbudgeted enterprise fund related to the museum. The enterprise funds shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulations prescribed by the Department of Finance and Administration.

(c) The department may expend these funds for improvements to the museum and for marketing and promotion programs for the museum in a manner consistent with the museum's historical purpose.

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