MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Smith (39th)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-117-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO CERTIFY HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ZONES IN AREAS IN WHICH A HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY FACILITY IS LOCATED WITHIN A FIVE-MILE RADIUS OF A UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE THAT IS ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS AND AWARDS DEGREES OR TRAINS WORKERS FOR JOBS IN HEALTH CARE OR PHARMACEUTICAL FIELDS OF STUDY OR WORK; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 57-117-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH DEFINES CERTAIN TERMS UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ZONE ACT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 57-117-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
57-117-5. (1) The MDA may certify an area as a health care industry zone if the following requirements are met:
(a) The area is located within:
(i) Three (3) contiguous counties which have certificates of need of more than three hundred seventy-five (375) acute care hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A county which has a hospital with a minimum capital investment of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) and for which construction is completed before July 1, 2017;
(b) The health care industry facility is located within a five-mile radius of:
(i) A facility with a certificate of need for hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A university or college that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and awards degrees and/or trains workers for jobs in health care or pharmaceutical fields of study and/or work; and
(c) The zoning of the local government unit allows the construction or operation in the proposed health care industry zone of the health care industry facility.
(2) The MDA may adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations, in compliance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, as are necessary for the efficient and effective administration of this section in keeping with the purposes for which it is enacted.
SECTION 2. Section 57-117-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
57-117-3. In this chapter:
(a) "Health care industry facility" means a business engaged in the research and development of pharmaceuticals, biologics, biotechnology, diagnostic imaging, medical supplies, medical equipment or medicine and related manufacturing or processing, medical service providers, medical product distribution, or laboratory testing that creates a minimum of twenty-five (25) new full-time jobs and/or Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) of capital investment after July 1, 2012.
(b) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.
(c) "Health care industry zone" means a geographical area certified by the MDA as provided for in Section 57-117-5.
(d) "Local government unit" means any county or incorporated city, town or village in the State of Mississippi.
(e) "Person" means a natural person, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation, business trust or other business entity.
(f) "Qualified business" means a business or health care industry facility that meets the requirements of Section 57-117-7 and any other requirements of this chapter.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.