MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Public Property

By: Senator(s) Fillingane

Senate Bill 2291

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO SELL AND CONVEY OR LEASE PARCELS OF CERTAIN STATE-OWNED REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON UNDER THE POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, LOCATED IN FORREST COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO STIPULATE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE PROPERTY MAY BE SOLD OR LEASED TO PROMOTE THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SELLING OR LEASING ENTITY SHALL ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL THAT PROVIDES THE HIGHEST AND BEST VALUE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND THE STATE WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE PRICE, USE AND OTHER PROPOSAL CONDITIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SHALL RETAIN ALL MINERAL RIGHTS TO THE REAL PROPERTY SOLD OR LEASED UNDER THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 2, CHAPTER 415, LAWS OF 2014, TO CORRECT A PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ON THE PARCEL OF PROPERTY UNDER THE POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI WHICH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING HAS BEEN GIVEN AUTHORITY TO SELL AND CONVEY OR LEASE; TO AUTHORIZE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO CORRECT ANY DISCREPANCIES IN PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  The Department of Finance and Administration, in consultation with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to sell and convey or lease all or portions of the parcels of certain state-owned real property and any improvements thereon under the possession and control of the University of Southern Mississippi, located in Forrest County, Mississippi, and more particularly described as follows:

The following described property situated in Forrest County, Mississippi to wit:  South 1/2 of Northeast 1/4 and Southeast 1/4 Section 35 and West 1/2 of West 1/2 and Southeast 1/4 of Northwest 1/4 and Northeast 1/4 of Southwest 1/4 Section 36 in Township 5 North range 14 West at St Stephens Meridian and containing 480 acres more or less, and commence at a 4" x 4" concrete monument at the Southeast Corner of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 36, Township 5 North, range 14 West, Forrest County, Mississippi, and run South 89 degrees 09 minutes 27 seconds West for 660.35 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar and the POINT OF BEGINNING, from the POINT OF BEGINNING continue South 89 degrees 09 minutes 27 seconds West for 660.35 feet to a 1/4 inch iron pipe; thence run North 01 degrees 46 minutes 11 seconds West for 1333.93 feet to a 4 inch x 4 inch concrete monument; thence run North 89 degrees 49 minutes 24 seconds East for 665.80 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar; thence run South 01 degrees 32 minutes 29 seconds East for 1326.12 feet back to the POINT OF BEGINNING; said parcel of land is a part of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 36, Township 5 North, range 14 West, Forrest County, Mississippi, and contains 20.24 acres more or less and also an easement more particularly described as commence at a 4 inch x 4 inch concrete monument at the NE corner of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 36 Township 5 North range 14 West Forrest County, Mississippi for the POINT OF BEGINNING; from the POINT OF BEGINNING run South 00 degrees 04 minutes 17 seconds West for 699.86 feet to a 3/4 inch iron pipe and the North margin line of the Country Club paved public road; thence run North 78 degrees 01 minutes 33 seconds West on and along said margin line for 40.00 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar, thence run North 04 degrees 33 minutes 53 seconds East for 142.19 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar; thence run North 00 degrees 04 minutes 17 seconds West for 489.86 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar; thence run North 45 degrees 23 minutes 08 seconds West for 44.26 ft. to 1/2 inch rebar; thence run South 89 degrees 09 minutes 27 seconds West for 640.35 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar; then run North 00 degrees 50 minutes 33 seconds West for 28.00 feet to a 1/2 inch rebar; thence run North 89 degrees 09 minutes 27 seconds East for 700.35 feet back to the POINT OF BEGINNING; said parcel of land is a part of the SE, 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 36, Township 5 North, range 14 West, Forrest County, Mississippi, and contains 0.91 acres, more or less; together with all improvements thereon and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

     (2)  (a)  If sold, the real property described in subsection (1) of this section and any improvements thereon shall be sold for not less than the current fair market value as determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by qualified appraisers, one (1) of which who shall be selected by the Department of Finance and Administration, and both of which shall be certified and licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board.

          (b)  If the real property described in subsection (1) of this section is leased, the University of Southern Mississippi, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to negotiate all aspects of any lease and any terms and ancillary agreements pertaining to any lease as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes of this section and to ensure a fair and equitable return to the state.  Any lease approved and entered into on the University's behalf shall not exceed a term of forty (40) years and shall not be cancelled by successor boards based on the binding successor doctrine.

     (3)  The property described in subsection (1) of this section shall be sold or leased only if such action is consistent with the university's goals of research, innovation and commercialization, and only to result in the highest and best use of the property and to ensure that the property is used in a manner that will not interfere with the operation of the University of Southern Mississippi.

     (4)  The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property sold or leased under this section.

     (5)  The Department of Finance and Administration may correct any discrepancies in the legal description of the property provided in this section.

     (6)  The Department of Finance and Administration may recover its costs associated with the transaction authorized by this section from the proceeds of the sale or lease of the real property described in subsection (1) of this section, and the net proceeds of the sale or lease shall be deposited into a special fund in the State Treasury and shall be expended only for the benefit of the University of Southern Mississippi.

     SECTION 2.  Section 2 of Chapter 415, Laws of 2014, is amended as follows:

     Section 2.  (1)  The Department of Finance and Administration, acting on behalf of the University of Southern Mississippi and with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to sell and convey or lease parcels of certain state-owned real property and any improvements thereon under the possession and control of the University of Southern Mississippi, located in the City of Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi, and more particularly described as follows:

PARCEL 1 LEGAL DESCRIPTION

 * * * A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 13 WEST, FORREST COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ALSO BEING A PART OF THE MONTE VISTA TERRACE SUBDIVISION, AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BLOCK 4 OF THE MONTE VISTA TERRACE SUBDIVISION, SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE RUN N89°47'18"W FOR 273.42' ALONG THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF CHEVY CHASE DRIVE TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN N52°48'45"W FOR 37.45' ALONG THE NORTH BOUNDARY OF CHEVY CHASE DRIVE AND THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN 139.55' ALONG A CURVE TO THE LEFT ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 454.56', AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 17°35'24", A CHORD BEARING OF N16°43'32"W, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 139.00'; THENCE RUN N64°55'38"E FOR 9.54' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND IRON PIN; THENCE RUN N28°33'59"W FOR 53.50' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S57°40'44"W FOR 9.81' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN 78.06' ALONG A CURVE TO THE LEFT ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 454.56, AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 9°50'23", A CHORD BEARING OF N37°01'23"W, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 77.97'; THENCE RUN N42°06'05"W FOR 43.84' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN 74.09' ALONG A CURVE TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 159.28', AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 26°39'02", A CHORD BEARING OF N20°48'27"W, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 73.42'; THENCE RUN N00°03'33"W FOR 30.24' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN N48°20'47"E FOR 24.84' ALONG THE EAST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED AND THE SOUTH BOUNDARY OF HARDY STREET TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S88°29'19"E FOR 453.83' ALONG THE SOUTH BOUNDARY OF HARDY STREET TO A CHISELLED 'X' IN A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL; THENCE RUN S00°11'09"W FOR 400.74' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 30TH AVENUE BACK TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; SAID PARCEL CONTAINS 3.54 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.

PARCEL MAY BE SUBJECT TO UNVACATED STREET RIGHT(S)‑OF‑WAY OR UTILITY EASEMENTS. All of Lots 1 through 12 inclusive, Block 5 of the Monte Vista Terrace Subdivision as per map or plat thereof on file in the Office of the Chancery Clerk of Forrest County, Mississippi, and all of the vacated portion of South 31st Avenue lying between Hardy Street and Chevy Chase Drive, and a part of the North ½ of the Southeast ¼ of Section 7, Township 4 North, Range 13 West, all in the City of Hattiesburg, County of Forrest, State of Mississippi, and being more particularly described as Beginning at a ½ Inch Rebar representing the Southeast Corner of said Block 5, thence run N88°37'17"W along the South Line of said Block 5 and the North right-of-way Line of Chevy Chase Drive, a paved public roadway, for 281.18 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar representing a Point on the Eastern right-of-way Line of South 31st Avenue, a paved public roadway, thence run N52°16'43"W along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 27.74 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Northwesterly along an Arc to the Left and along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 139.54 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 454.56 feet, a Chord Bearing of N16°46'18"W and a Chord Distance of 138.99 feet, thence run N64°45'55"E along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 9.52 feet to a 5/8 Inch Rebar, thence run N28°28'57"W along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 53.48 feet to a 3/8 Inch Rebar, thence run S57°46'04"W along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 9.71 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Northwesterly along an Arc to the Left and along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 78.06 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 454.45 feet, a Chord Bearing of N37°05'09"W and a Chord Distance of 77.96 feet, thence run N42°07'44"W along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 43.85 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Northwesterly along an Arc to the Right and along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 75.02 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 103.16 feet, a Chord Bearing of N20°43'27"W and a Chord Distance of 73.38 feet, thence run N00°03'17"W along said Eastern right-of-way Line for 30.31 feet to a Brass Disk representing a Point of Intersection of said Eastern right-of-way Line and the Southern right-of-way Line of Hardy Street, a paved public roadway and also known as State Route 198, thence run N48°20'32"E along said Southern right-of-way Line for 24.80 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S88°29'03"E along said Southern right-of-way Line and the North Line of said Block 5 and its extension for 453.87 feet to an 'X' Chiseled in a Concrete Wall representing the Northeast Corner of said Block 5, thence run S00°13'23"W along the East Line of said Block 5 and the West right-of-way Line of South 30th Avenue, a paved public roadway, for 400.83 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, comprising 3.53 Acres (153,706 Square Feet), more or less.

PARCEL 2 LEGAL DESCRIPTION

 * * * A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 4 NORTH, RANGE 13 WEST, FORREST COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ALSO BEING A PART OF THE MONTE VISTA TERRACE SUBDIVISION, AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF BLOCK 4 OF THE MONTE VISTA TERRACE SUBDIVISION, PROCEED S58°42'20"W FOR 411.97' TO THE WEST R.O.W. BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE TO AN IRON PIN AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE RUN N88°24'33"W FOR 300.00' TO A SET IRON PIN; THENCE RUN N00°06'40"W FOR 623.00' TO A FOUND METAL PIPE ON THE SOUTH R.O.W. BOUNDARY OF HARDY STREET; THENCE ALONG THE SOUTH R.O.W. BOUNDARY OF HARDY STREET S76°00'29"E FOR 57.71' TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE ALONG THE SOUTH R.O.W. BOUNDARY OF HARDY STREET S88°43'25"E FOR 56.78' TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED; THENCE RUN S43°43'26"E FOR 19.17' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE S00°18'27"E FOR 22.43' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN 116.00' ALONG A CURVE TO THE LEFT ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 159.28', AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 41°43'35", A CHORD BEARING OF S20°53'01"E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 113.45'; THENCE RUN S41°49'49"E FOR 43.77' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND IRON PIN; THENCE RUN 63.64' ALONG A CURVE TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 454.56', AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 8°01'20", A CHORD BEARING OF S37°42'47"E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 63.59'; THENCE RUN S57°10'45"W FOR 7.87' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S28°53'49"E FOR 54.54' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN N65°42'07"E FOR 7.68' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN 125.55' ALONG A CURVE TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK, SAID CURVE HAVING A RADIUS OF 454.56, AN INCLUDED ANGLE OF 15°49'32", A CHORD BEARING OF S15°43'20"E, AND A CHORD LENGTH OF 125.15'; THENCE RUN S83°26'43"W FOR 7.37' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S02°51'15"E FOR 55.46' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN N89°36'10"E FOR 7.42' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S00°13'22"W FOR 75.76' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S05°43'51"E FOR 31.16' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE AS RELOCATED TO A FOUND R.O.W. DISK; THENCE RUN S00°06'04"E FOR 58.53' ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF 31ST AVENUE BACK TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; SAID PARCEL CONTAINS 3.36 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. A part of the Northwest ¼ of the Southeast ¼ of Section 7, Township 4 North, Range 13 West, in the City of Hattiesburg, County of Forrest, State of Mississippi, and being more particularly described as Commencing at a ½ Inch Rebar representing the Southeast Corner of Block 5 of the Monte Vista Terrace Subdivision as per map or plat thereof on file in the Office of the Chancery Clerk of Forrest County, Mississippi, thence run N89°53'11"W for 351.60 feet to a Point on the Original Western right-of-way Line of South 31st Avenue, a paved public roadway, said Original Western right-of-way Line being prior to the reconstruction and relocation of said South 31st Avenue in November 2006, thence run S00°06'49"W along said Original Western right-of-way Line for 125.00 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar representing the Point of Intersection of said Original Western right-of-way Line and the Current Western right-of-way Line of said South 31st Avenue, said Point being the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence continue S00°06'49"W along said Western right-of-way Line for 31.01 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S00°03'35"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 58.49 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar, thence run N88°25'04"W for 299.79 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar, thence run N00°07'19"W for 615.76 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar representing a Point on the Southern right-of-way Line of Hardy Street, a paved public roadway and also known as State Route 198, thence run S78°44'55"E along said Southern right-of-way Line for 32.22 feet to a ½ Inch Rebar, thence run S88°47'02"E along said Southern right-of-way Line for 80.98 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S43°53'19"E along said Southern right-of-way Line for 19.25 feet to a Brass Disk representing the Intersection of said Southern right-of-way Line and said Western right-of-way Line, thence run S00°06'54"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 22.40 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Southeasterly along an Arc to the Left and along said Western right-of-way Line for 116.00 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 159.24 feet, a Chord Bearing of S20°53'27"E and a Chord Distance of 113.45 feet, thence run S41°53'31"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 43.77 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Southeasterly along an Arc to the right and along said Western right-of-way Line for 63.66 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 398.35 feet, a Chord Bearing of S37°38'46"E and a Chord Distance of 63.60 feet, thence run S56°53'56"W along said Western right-of-way Line for 7.85 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S28°56'47"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 54.54 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run N65°26'49"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 7.66 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run Southeasterly along an Arc to the Right and along said Western right-of-way Line for 125.64 feet to a Brass Disk, said Arc having a Radius of 398.35 feet, a Chord Bearing of S15°43'33"E and a Chord Distance of 125.12 feet, thence run S82°35'17"W along said Western right-of-way Line for 7.33 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S02°53'18"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 55.37 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run N89°44'04"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 7.34 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S00°09'31"W along said Western right-of-way Line for 75.85 feet to a Brass Disk, thence run S89°53'11"E along said Western right-of-way Line for 3.17 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, comprising 3.35 Acres (145,919 Square Feet), more or less.

     Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 contain an aggregate of 6.88 Acres (299,625 Square Feet), more or less.

     Parcels may be subject to unvacated street right(s)-of-way or utility easements.

     (2)  (a)  If sold, the real property described in subsection (1) of this section and any improvements thereon shall be sold for not less than the current fair market value as determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by qualified appraisers, one (1) of whom shall be selected by the Department of Finance and Administration, and both of whom shall be certified and licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board.

          (b)  If the real property described in subsection (1) of this section is leased, the University of Southern Mississippi, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to negotiate all aspects of any lease and any terms and ancillary agreements pertaining to any lease as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes of this section and to ensure a fair and equitable return to the state.  Any lease approved and entered into on the university's behalf shall not be cancelled by successor boards based on the binding successor doctrine.

     (3)  The property described in subsection (1) of this section shall be sold or leased to result in the highest and best use of the property and to ensure that the property is used in a manner that will not interfere with the operation of the University of Southern Mississippi.

     (4)  The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property sold or leased under this section.

     (5)  The Department of Finance and Administration may recover its costs associated with the transaction authorized by this section from the proceeds of the sale or lease of the real property described in subsection (1) of this section and the net proceeds of the sale or lease shall be deposited into a special fund in the State Treasury and shall be expended only for the benefit of the University of Southern Mississippi.

     (6)  The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to correct any discrepancies in the property descriptions provided in this section.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.