Senate Bill 2539

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 65-31-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ENTER AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES TO OFFSET ALL OR PART OF THE COSTS OF BUILDING AND/OR OPERATING ANY HOSPITALITY STATION UNDER THIS CHAPTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 65-31-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-31-5. (1) Both the * * * ~~State Highway Commission~~ Mississippi Department of Transportation and the * * *~~agricultural and industrial board~~ Mississippi Development Authority in exercising the powers granted in this chapter are hereby authorized to accept private donations and public grants which may be available to them, respectively, for the furtherance of the purposes of this chapter. In addition thereto, either or both * * *~~of such~~ agencies may expend, for the purposes of this chapter, any funds available to them not otherwise specifically designated for a different public purpose. Each of * * *~~such~~ the agencies shall cooperate with other state agencies in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(2) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is authorized to enter agreements with other entities to offset all or part of the costs of building and/or operating any hospitality station under this chapter. The Mississippi Transportation Commission may, in its discretion approve and erect a suitable sign or other marker at the site of a hospitality station to acknowledge the assistance of such entities. The signs or markers shall not be visible from the highway; however, the commission may approve and erect signs on the right-of-way of highways acknowledging the sponsorship, in accordance with the applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

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