House Bill 1622

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHICKASAWHAY NATURAL GAS DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT, EXPAND, OPERATE, OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS REFUELING STATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SELL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT TO PUBLIC ENTITIES AT SUCH STATIONS TO PUBLIC ENTITIES FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES OWNED OR LEASED BY A PUBLIC ENTITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings given them in this section unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

(a) "Compressed natural gas" means natural gas after it has been compressed for use as a fuel in a motor vehicle and shall not include natural gas prior to such final compression.

(b) "Refueling station" means property constituting a facility operated for dispensing compressed natural gas into fuel tanks of alternative fuel motor vehicles, which shall include:

(i) A refueling system; and

(ii) A building or other structural components constructed or installed as part of and directly related to such refueling system.

(2) The Board of Directors of the Chickasawhay Natural Gas District is authorized to construct, expand, operate, obtain and maintain compressed natural gas refueling stations. The board of directors is further authorized to sell compressed natural gas within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Chickasawhay Natural Gas District at the refueling stations to public entities for use in motor vehicles owned or leased by a public entity.

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