MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Smith, Holloway, Middleton, Gibbs (72nd), Dixon, Sykes

House Bill 1649

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $45,000,000.00 IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STATE-OWNED SHIPYARD LOCATED IN JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS SHALL BE CONDITIONED ON THE LESSEE INCURRING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DEBT AND/OR DEDICATING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, CAPITAL INVESTMENTS OR CAPITAL UPGRADES TO SHIPYARDS IN MISSISSIPPI OWNED OR LEASED BY SUCH LESSEE; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE SMALL MUNICIPALITIES AND LIMITED POPULATION COUNTIES FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS MAY BE USED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN COSTS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE LOCAL SYSTEM BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 6 THROUGH 20, CHAPTER 521, LAWS OF 1995, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 35, CHAPTER 569, LAWS OF 2013, TO INCREASE FROM $29,843,000.00 TO $32,843,000.00 THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND RURAL WATER SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000,000.00 TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 49-17-85, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE INTEREST AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON MONEY IN THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND TO BE UTILIZED TO PAY DEBT SERVICE ON THE BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 511, LAWS OF 2016, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY MAY BE USED; TO AMEND SECTION 28, CHAPTER 511, LAWS OF 2016, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE CITY OF SALTILLO, MISSISSIPPI, MAY BE USED; TO AMEND SECTION 8, CHAPTER 580, LAWS OF 2007, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE JOHN C. ROBINSON MISSISSIPPI AVIATION MUSEUM FUND MAY BE UTILIZED; TO AMEND SECTION 63, CHAPTER 511, LAWS OF 2016, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR A BYPASS IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI, MAY BE USED; TO AMEND SECTION 37, CHAPTER 472, LAWS OF 2015, TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT MT. OLIVE PARK IN BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 65-4-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO REALLOCATE CERTAIN FUNDS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY FUND PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED FOR CERTAIN HIGHWAY PROJECTS; TO AMEND SECTION 6, CHAPTER 472, LAWS OF 2015, TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EXCESS PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE CITY OF TAYLORSVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, IN PAYING THE COST OF CERTAIN PROJECTS, TO BE UTILIZED BY THE CITY FOR ROAD PROJECTS IN THE CITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bond means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2018 IHL Capital Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities as hereinafter described:

AMOUNT

NAME PROJECT ALLOCATED

Alcorn State University..........................$ 6,000,000.00

Construction, reconstruction,

repair, rehabilitation and

renovation of and upgrades

and improvements to the

water plant and related

infrastructure and

facilities...................$ 1,500,000.00

Completion of construction,

furnishing, and equipping

of a Technology Classroom

building.....................$ 4,500,000.00

Alcorn State University/Division of

Agriculture.....................................$ 720,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure...............$ 720,000.00

Delta State University..........................$ 5,000,000.00

Repair and replacement of

roofing and exterior

restoration of the

Walter Sillers Coliseum......$ 2,500,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

ADA improvements, furnishing

and equipping of campus

buildings, facilities

and infrastructure...........$ 2,500,000.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 8,500,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of the Stewart Hall

Dormitory...................$ 5,400,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure..............$ 3,100,000.00

Mississippi State University.....................$ 10,000,000.00

Phase I of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a new building and related

facilities to house the

Kinesiology Department.......$ 10,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of

Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine .......$ 4,172,500.00

Construction, furnishing

and equipping of a new

building and related

facilities to house the

Blackjack Forest and

Wildlife Research Facility...$ 4,172,500.00

Mississippi University for Women.................$ 5,675,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure..............$ 5,675,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University..............$ 6,000,000.00

Planning and Phase I of

repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of facilities for the

Departments of English

and Foreign Languages,

Mass Communications,

University College and

International Programs......$ 5,000,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure..............$ 1,000,000.00

University of Mississippi........................$ 15,000,000.00

Matching funds for

construction, furnishing

and equipping of

a new STEM facility.........$ 15,000,000.00

University of Mississippi Medical Center........ $ 12,000,000.00

Matching funds for site

development, planning,

design, construction, repair,

renovation, furnishing,

equipping, additions

to and expansion of

Blair E. Batson Children's

Hospital and related

facilities at the

University of Mississippi

Medical Center..............$ 12,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi...............$ 7,000,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and

equipping of and expansion

of and additions and

improvements to campus

buildings, facilities

and infrastructure..........$ 7,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf

Park Campus.......................$ 1,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing

and equipping of

a new building and

related facilities for a

student resource center......$ 1,500,000.00

IHL Education and Research Center................$ 750,000.00

Critical repair, renovation,

replacement and improvements

to campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure..............$ 750,000.00

TOTAL.......................................... $ 82,317,500.00

(b) (i) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(ii) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this subsection. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(d) Any amounts allocated to an institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such institution of higher learning that are described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be used for general repairs and renovations at the institution of higher learning.

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(4) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(5) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(6) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(7) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

If such bonds are sold by sealed bids at public sale, notice of the sale shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, selected by the commission.

The commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

(8) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(10) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(11) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(12) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(13) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(16) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(17) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2018 State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities as hereinafter described:

STATE AGENCIES...................................$ 36,000,000.00

Department of Corrections........................$ 6,000,000.00

Planning, critical repair

and renovation of and code

upgrades and improvements

to department buildings,

facilities and infrastructure...$ 3,000,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of roofing

for department buildings

and facilities under

the care and control

of the department...............$ 3,000,000.00

Department of Finance and Administration.........$ 9,500,000.00

Continuation of planning

repair and restoration

of the New Capitol.............$ 4,250,000.00

Completion of repair,

renovation, furnishing and

equipping, including relocation

costs, of the

Robert G. Clark Building

and related facilities

in Jackson, Mississippi..........$ 2,750,000.00

Planning, construction,

furnishing and equipping

of an emergency air response

station for the central

Mississippi region...............$ 2,500,000.00

Department of Mental Health......................$ 5,850,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of the heating,

ventilating and air conditioning

systems (HVAC) at the Mississippi

State Hospital...................$ 950,000.00

Planning, repair

and upgrades to buildings

and facilities for the provision

of forensic services at the

Mississippi State Hospital.......$ 1,000,000.00

Planning, construction,

reconstruction, repair,

rehabilitation and renovation

of and upgrades and

improvements to wastewater

treatment infrastructure

and related facilities at

Boswell Regional Center..........$ 350,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of the heating,

ventilating and air conditioning

systems (HVAC) at the Central

Mississippi Residential Center...$ 250,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of roofing

for buildings and facilities

at Ellisville State School.......$ 800,000.00

Planning and construction

of fire sprinkler systems

at Hudspeth Regional Center......$ 300,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of

infrastructure at

North Mississippi

Regional Center..................$ 600,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of

generators at

South Mississippi

Regional Center..................$ 600,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of roofing

for buildings and facilities

at North Mississippi

State Hospital...................$ 400,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of roofing

and mechanical systems

and equipment for

buildings and facilities

at South Mississippi

State Hospital...................$ 600,000.00

Department of Public Safety.....................$ 3,400,000.00

Phase II of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a headquarters replacement

building and related

facilities adjacent

to the State Crime

Laboratory in Rankin County,

Mississippi.................$ 3,000,000.00

Planning, repair

and replacement of roofing

of the Brookhaven Highway

Patrol Substation................$ 400,000.00

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks......$ 4,000,000.00

Planning, repair,

rehabilitation and upgrades

of high hazard dams,

spillways and other

structures and facilities.......$ 4,000,000.00

Mississippi Military Department..................$ 5,000,000.00

Matching funds for

planning, construction,

repair, renovation,

replacement, furnishing

and equipping of

readiness centers..........$ 5,000,000.00

Mississippi School for Math

and Science on the campus of

the Mississippi University for

Women..........................................$ 250,000.00

Preplanning of repair and

renovation of dormitories.......$ 250,000.00

State Fire Academy..............................$ 1,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing

and equipping of a fire

station, dormitory and

related infrastructure

and facilities at the

Mississippi State Fire

Academy in Rankin

County, Mississippi.......$ 1,000,000.00

Mississippi School of the Arts $ 1,000,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of campus buildings,

facilities and

infrastructure.............$ 1,000,000.00

TOTAL............................................$ 36,000,000.00

(b) (i) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the agency or institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(d) Any amounts allocated to an agency that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such agency that are described in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be used for general repairs and renovations at the agency.

(3) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated the "2018 Department of Finance and Administration Statewide Critical Repair and Renovation Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of site and infrastructure improvements, general repairs and renovations, weatherization, roofing, environmental mitigation, mechanical, electrical and structural repairs required for state-owned facilities, other facilities under the care and control of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, universities and community and junior colleges, repairs, renovations and improvements necessary for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or other codes, purchase and installation of necessary furniture and equipment, acquisition of property required for parking, and continuation and completion of previously authorized projects.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(4) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Department of Finance and Administration declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Forty-Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2022.

(b) The proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the following special funds in not more than the following amounts:

(i) The 2018 State Agencies Capital Improvements Fund created pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.........................................$ 36,000,000.00.

(ii) The 2018 Department of Finance and Administration Statewide Critical Repair and Renovation Fund created pursuant to subsection (3) of this section..........................................$ 9,000,000.00.

(c) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(5) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(6) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(7) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(8) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

(9) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(10) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special funds created in subsections (2) and (3) of this section in the amounts provided for in subsection (4)(b) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(11) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(12) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(13) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(14) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(15) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(16) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(17) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(18) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 3. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2018 Community and Junior Colleges Capital Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this act.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to pay the costs of acquisition of real property, construction of new facilities, equipping and furnishing facilities, including furniture and technology equipment and infrastructure, and addition to or renovation of existing facilities for community and junior college campuses as recommended by the Mississippi Community College Board. The amount to be expended at each community and junior college is as follows:

Coahoma.................................... $ 1,172,879.00

Copiah-Lincoln.............................. 1,363,078.00

East Central................................. 1,277,197.00

East Mississippi............................. 1,559,454.00

Hinds....................................... 2,787,652.00

Holmes....................................... 1,866,900.00

Itawamba..................................... 1,793,612.00

Jones........................................ 1,747,411.00

Meridian..................................... 1,414,074.00

Mississippi Delta............................ 1,273,054.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast....................... 2,428,714.00

Northeast Mississippi........................ 1,430,610.00

Northwest Mississippi........................ 2,107,700.00

Pearl River................................. 1,604,329.00

Southwest Mississippi........................ 1,173,336.00

GRAND TOTAL.................................... $25,000,000.00

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this subsection. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this section are deposited into the special fund, then the community college or junior college for which any such monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in paragraph (a) of this section shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(b) Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special funds created in subsection (2) of this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 4. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bonds, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "Commission" means the State Bond Commission.

(d) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(e) "Authority" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2018 State Shipyard Improvement Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the authority, to pay the costs incurred in making such capital improvements at the state shipyard as are considered by the authority to be part of the five-year plan to modernize the state shipyard and keep it competitive with other shipyards.

(iii) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided under this act. The authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(iv) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to a project for which funding is provided under this act. The Department of Audit shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought. The Department of Audit may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate. Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(b) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of the projects described in this subsection. If any money in the special fund is not used within four (4) years after the date the proceeds of the bonds authorized under this act are deposited into the fund, then the authority shall provide an accounting of the unused monies to the commission. Promptly after the commission has certified, by resolution duly adopted, that the projects described in this subsection shall have been completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely fashion, any amounts remaining in such special fund shall be applied to pay debt service on the bonds issued under this act, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as directed by the commission. Before money in the special fund may be used for the projects described in this subsection, the authority shall require that the lessee of the shipyard enter into binding commitments regarding at least the following:

(i) That the lessee shall maintain a certain minimum number of jobs and/or economic impact over a certain period of time as determined by the authority (any required jobs must be held by persons eligible for employment in the United States under applicable state and federal law); and

(ii) That if the lessee fails to satisfy any such commitments, the lessee must repay an amount equal to all or a portion of the funds provided by the state under this act as determined by the authority.

(3) (a) The commission, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsection (2) of this section. No bonds shall be issued under this act until the authority is provided proof that the lessee of the shipyard has incurred debt or has otherwise irrevocably dedicated funds or a combination of debt and funds in the amount of not less than Ninety Million Dollars ($90,000,000.00) used by the lessee in calendar year 2006 or thereafter, for capital improvements, capital investments or capital upgrades at facilities in Jackson County, Mississippi, owned or leased by the lessee. The debt or dedication of funds or combination of debt and funds required of the lessee under this section shall be in addition to any debt or funds required of the lessee under Section 4 of Chapter 501, Laws of 2003, Section 4 of Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, and Section 4 of Chapter 475, 2006 Regular Session, Section 17, Chapter 472, Laws of 2015, Section 25, Chapter 511, Laws of 2016, and Section 3, Chapter 390, Laws of 2017. In addition, no bonds shall be issued under this act until the authority has certified that the lessee has satisfied the minimum jobs requirements of Section 3(2) of Chapter 501, Laws of 2003, Section 3(2) of Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, and Section 3 of Chapter 475, 2006 Regular Session. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the authority, declaring that the lessee has incurred the required amount of debt and/or irrevocable dedication of funds and maintained the required minimum number of jobs and/or economic impact and declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the authority shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this act shall not exceed Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2022.

(7) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

(8) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi are irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(18) All improvements made to the state shipyard with the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this act shall, as state owned property, be exempt from ad valorem taxation, except ad valorem taxation for school district purposes.

SECTION 5. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Accreted value" of any bonds means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (ii) the interest accrued thereon from the issue date to the date of computation at the rate, compounded semiannually, that is necessary to produce the approximate yield to maturity shown for bonds of the same maturity.

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) The Mississippi Development Authority, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the grant program authorized in Section 57-1-18. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Mississippi Development Authority, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Mississippi Development Authority shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2022.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund created pursuant to Section 57-1-18. Any investment earnings on bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be used to pay debt service on bonds issued under this section, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of such bonds.

(3) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(4) The bonds authorized by this section shall be signed by the chairman of the commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

(5) All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of this section have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by this section, the commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

(6) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

(7) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this subsection.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund created in Section 57-1-18. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Mississippi Development Authority under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(9) The bonds authorized under this section may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by this section. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(10) The bonds authorized under the authority of this section may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

(11) Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this section or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted under this section, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

(12) All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

(15) The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under this section; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.

(16) This section shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted, but this section shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 6. Section 57-1-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-1-18. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Limited population county" means a county in the State of Mississippi with a population of thirty thousand (30,000) or less according to the most recent federal decennial census at the time the county submits its application to the MDA under this section.

(b) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) "Project" means highways, streets and other roadways, bridges, sidewalks, utilities, airfields, airports, acquisition of equipment, acquisition of real property, development of real property, improvements to real property, and any other project approved by the MDA.

(d) "Small municipality" means a municipality in the State of Mississippi with a population of ten thousand (10,000) or less according to the most recent federal decennial census at the time the municipality submits its application to the MDA under this section. The term "small municipality" also includes a municipal historical hamlet as defined in Section 17-27-5.

(2) (a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund," which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund shall be used to make grants to small municipalities and limited population counties or natural gas districts created by law and contained therein to assist in completing projects under this section.

(b) Monies in the fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 538, Laws of 2002, Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 508, Laws of 2003, Sections 55 through 70 of Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, Sections 1 through 16 of Chapter 482, Laws of 2006, Section 15 of Chapter 580, Laws of 2007, Section 1 of Chapter 503, Laws of 2008, Section 42 of Chapter 557, Laws of 2009, Section 38 of Chapter 533, Laws of 2010, Section 41 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2011, Section 30 of Chapter 569, Laws of 2013, Section 4 of Chapter 530, Laws of 2014, Section 11 of Chapter 472, Laws of 2015, or Section 19 of Chapter 511, Laws of 2016, or Section 5 of this act, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided under this section from the use of proceeds of such bonds. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the MDA. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects. Reimbursements under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(3) The MDA shall establish a grant program to make grants to small municipalities and limited population counties from the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund. Grants made under this section to a small municipality or a limited population county shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) during any grant period established by the MDA. A small municipality or limited population county may apply to the MDA for a grant under this section in the manner provided for in this section.

(4) A small municipality or limited population county desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application must include a description of the project for which assistance is requested, the cost of the project for which assistance is requested, the amount of assistance requested and any other information required by the MDA.

(5) The MDA shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the department shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section.

(6) The MDA shall file an annual report with the Governor, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives not later than December 1 of each year, describing all assistance provided under this section.

SECTION 7. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(d) "Department" means the Department of Finance and Administration.

(2) (a) The Department of Finance and Administration, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the department, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the department shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission. Upon receipt of the resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued under this section shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. Any investment earnings on bonds issued under this section shall be used to pay debt service on those bonds, in accordance with the proceedings authorizing issuance of the bonds.

(3) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this subsection. The bonds shall bear such date or dates; be in such denomination or denominations; bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972); be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi; mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue; be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium; bear such registration privileges; and be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created under Section 65-37-13. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Finance and Administration under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 8. Sections 6 through 20, Chapter 521, Laws of 1995, as amended by Section 17, Chapter 503, Laws of 2003, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 477, Laws of 2004, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 456, Laws of 2006, as amended by Section 3, Chapter 492, Laws of 2008, as amended by Section 47, Chapter 533, Laws of 2010, as amended by Section 13, Chapter 480, Laws of 2011, as amended by Section 35, Chapter 569, Laws of 2013, are amended as follows:

Section 6. The board created in Section 41-3-16, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for all costs incurred or to be incurred by the board in constructing new water systems or repairing existing water systems described in Section 41-3-16. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the board declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this section, the board shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of such resolution, the State Bond Commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for the sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the tax exempt or taxable bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The amount of bonds issued under Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall not exceed * * * Thirty-two Million Eight Hundred Forty-three Thousand Dollars ($32,843,000.00), the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the revolving fund and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), the proceeds of which shall be deposited in the emergency fund.

Section 7. The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under Section 6 of this act shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission.

Section 8. The bonds authorized by Section 6 of this act shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers before the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until their delivery to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. However, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.

Section 9. All bonds and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and in exercising the powers granted by Sections 6 through 20 of this act, the State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 10. The State Bond Commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under Sections 6 through 20 of this act, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of the bonds. The State Bond Commission may pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 6 through 20 of this act from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds. The State Bond Commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

If the bonds are sold on sealed bids at public sale, notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, to be selected by the State Bond Commission.

The State Bond Commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of Sections 6 through 20 of this act, may provide that bonds, at the option of the State of Mississippi, may be called in for payment and redemption at the call price named therein and accrued interest on such date or dates named therein.

Section 11. The bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. If the funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

Section 12. The State Treasurer is authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized and directed to issue such warrants, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, or the accreted value of, all bonds issued under Sections 6 through 20 of this act; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest on the bonds, on their due dates.

Section 13. Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act, the State Bond Commission shall transfer the proceeds of any sale or sales of bonds to the revolving fund and the emergency fund in the amounts specified in Section 6 of this act. After such transfer, all investment earnings or interest earned on the proceeds of such bonds shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund and the emergency fund, and shall be used only for the purposes established in Section 41-3-16. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the board created in Section 1 of this act under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

Section 14. The bonds authorized under Sections 6 through 20 of this act may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 6 through 20 of this act. Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.

Section 15. The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 6 through 20 of this act may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by such statutes shall be published in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Section 16. Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce all rights granted under Sections 6 through 20 of this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 6 through 20 of this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

Section 17. All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

Section 18. Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

Section 19. The proceeds of the bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

Section 20. Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers granted, but Sections 6 through 20 of this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.

SECTION 9. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) The Commission on Environmental Quality, at one time, or from time to time, may declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund established in Section 49-17-85. Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Commission on Environmental Quality declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by this subsection, the Commission on Environmental Quality shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission; however, the Commission on Environmental Quality shall declare the necessity for the issuance of bonds only in the amount necessary to match projected federal funds available through the following federal fiscal year. Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2022.

(b) The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 49-17-85.

(3) The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this section shall be payable in the manner provided in this section. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from date of issue, be redeemable before maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

(6) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

If the bonds are to be sold, on sealed bids at public sale, notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, selected by the commission.

(7) The bonds issued under the provisions of this section are general obligations of the State of Mississippi, and for the payment thereof the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi is irrevocably pledged. Interest and investment earnings on money in the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund shall be utilized to pay the principal and interest on such bonds as they become due. If the interest and investment earnings of the fund and any funds appropriated by the Legislature are insufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due, then the deficiency shall be paid by the State Treasurer from any funds in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated. All such bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the provisions of this section.

(8) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created in Section 49-17-85. After the transfer of the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, any investment earnings or interest earned on the proceeds of such bonds shall be deposited to the credit of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and shall be used only for the purposes provided in Section 49-17-85. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Commission on Environmental Quality under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(14) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes therein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 10. Section 49-17-85, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-17-85. (1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund" which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The revolving fund may receive bond proceeds and funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source, public or private. The revolving fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section.

(2) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Water Pollution Control Hardship Grants Fund," which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The grants fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section. Any interest earned on monies in the grants fund shall be credited to that fund.

(3) The commission shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the revolving fund program, the hardship grants program and for related programs authorized under this section. The regulations shall be in accordance with the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended, and regulations and guidance issued under that act. The commission may enter into capitalization grant agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and may accept capitalization grant awards made under Title VI of the Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended.

(4) The commission shall establish a loan program which shall commence after October 1, 1988, to assist political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. Loans from the revolving fund may be made to political subdivisions as set forth in a loan agreement in amounts not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) of eligible project costs as established by the commission. Notwithstanding loan amount limitations set forth in Section 49-17-61, the commission may require local participation or funding from other sources, or otherwise limit the percentage of costs covered by loans from the revolving fund. The commission may establish a maximum amount for any loan in order to provide for broad and equitable participation in the program.

(5) The commission shall establish a hardship grants program for rural communities, which shall commence after July 1, 1997, to assist severely economically disadvantaged small rural political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. The commission may receive and administer state or federal funds, or both, appropriated for the operation of this grants program and may take all actions necessary to implement the program in accordance with the federal hardship grants program. The hardship grants program shall operate in conjunction with the revolving loan program administered under this section.

(6) The commission shall act for the state in all matters and with respect to all determinations under Title VI of the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended, and the federal Omnibus Appropriations and Recision Act of 1996.

(7) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the revolving fund may be used only:

(a) To make loans on the condition that:

(i) The loans are made at or below market interest rates, at terms not to exceed the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion; the interest rate and term may vary from time to time and from loan to loan at the discretion of the commission;

(ii) Periodic principal and interest payments will commence when required by the commission but not later than one (1) year after project completion and all loans will be fully amortized when required by the commission but not later than the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion;

(iii) The recipient of a loan will establish a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of loans;

(b) To buy or refinance the debt obligation of political subdivisions at or below market rates, where the debt obligations were incurred after March 7, 1985, and where the projects were constructed in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations;

(c) To guarantee, or purchase insurance for, obligations of political subdivisions where the action would improve credit market access or reduce interest rates;

(d) To provide loan guarantees for similar revolving funds established by municipalities or intermunicipal agencies;

(e) To earn interest on fund accounts;

(f) To establish nonpoint source pollution control management programs;

(g) To establish estuary conservation and management programs;

(h) For the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund and conducting activities under this act, subject to the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature;

(i) In connection with the issuance, sale and purchase of bonds under Section 31-25-1 et seq., related to the funding of projects, to provide security or a pledge of revenues for the repayment of the bonds; and

(j) To pay the principal and interest on bonds issued pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 580, Laws of 2007, Section 1 of Chapter 492, Laws of 2008, Section 47 of Chapter 557, Laws of 2009, Section 45 of Chapter 533, Laws of 2010, Section 3 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2011, * * *~~and~~ Section 36 of Chapter 569, Laws of 2013, and Section 9 of this act, as they become due; however, only interest and investment earnings on money in the fund may be utilized for this purpose.

(8) The hardship grants program shall be used only to provide hardship grants consistent with the federal hardship grants program for rural communities, regulations and guidance issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, subsections (3) and (5) of this section and regulations promulgated and guidance issued by the commission under this section.

(9) The commission shall establish by regulation a system of priorities and a priority list of projects eligible for funding with loans from the revolving fund.

(10) The commission may provide a loan from the revolving fund only with respect to a project if that project is on the priority list established by the commission.

(11) The revolving fund shall be credited with all payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all or any portion of payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section may be designated or pledged for repayment of a loan as provided for in Section 31-25-28 in connection with a loan from the Mississippi Development Bank.

(12) The commission may establish and collect fees to defray the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund if it determines that the administrative costs will exceed the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended. The administration fees may be included in loan amounts to political subdivisions for the purpose of facilitating payment to the commission. The fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount.

(13) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commission may, on a case-by-case basis and to the extent allowed by federal law, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in such counties; however, the interest on the loans shall not be forgiven for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months and the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.

(14) The commission may, on a case-by-case basis and to the extent allowed by federal law, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to Hancock County as a result of coverage under the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in Hancock County.

SECTION 11. Section 1, Chapter 511, Laws of 2016, is amended as follows:

Section 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2016 IHL Capital Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

AMOUNT

NAME PROJECT ALLOCATED

Alcorn State University......................... $ 7,700,000.00

Phase I of construction, furnishing and

equipping of new buildings

and related facilities for

university faculty and

staff housing...................$ 7,500,000.00

Construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a new building and related

facilities to house the

Socially Disadvantaged

Farmers and Ranchers

Policy Center...................$ 200,000.00

Delta State University.......................... $ 7,942,500.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of Zeigel Hall..................$ 7,942,500.00

Jackson State University........................ $ 6,000,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of the Stewart Hall Dormitory...$ 5,500,000.00

Planning of repair, renovation,

furnishing, equipping and

expansion of and additions

to the College of

Education and Human

Development building

and related facilities..........$ 500,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................ $ 7,140,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing, equipping and

expansion of and additions

to the Demonstration School.....$ 7,140,000.00

Mississippi State University.................... $ 10,000,000.00

Phase I of construction, furnishing and

equipping of a new building

and related facilities to

house the Music Department......$10,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of

Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.. $ 4,000,000.00

Phase II of construction,

furnishing and equipping of

a new building and related

facilities to house the

Departments of Animal and

Dairy Science and Poultry

Science.........................$ 4,000,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University............. $ 7,500,000.00

Repair, renovation,

furnishing and equipping

of Edna Horton Hall, and

continuation and completion

of previously authorized

projects........................$ 7,500,000.00

University of Mississippi....................... $ 10,000,000.00

Phase I construction, furnishing

and equipping of

a new Science building

and related facilities..........$10,000,000.00

IHL Education and Research Center..................$ 1,615,000.00

Repair and renovation of campus

buildings and facilities, and

repair, renovation, replacement

and improvement of campus

infrastructure..................$ 1,615,000.00

TOTAL........................................... $ 61,897,500.00

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 12. Section 28, Chapter 511, Laws of 2016, is amended as follows:

Section 28. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated the "2016 City of Saltillo * * *~~Recreation Facilities Improvements~~ Intersection Lighting Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to assist the City of Saltillo, Mississippi, in paying costs associated with * * * installation of intersection lighting at the intersection of Highway 45 and Highway 145 in the City of Saltillo.

(7) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 13. Section 8, Chapter 580, Laws of 2007, is amended as follows:

Section 8. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum Fund" is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to the John C. Robinson "Brown Condor" Association to pay the costs of * * * construction, repair, renovation, furnishing and equipping a building leased from the City of Gulfport for the John C. Robinson Mississippi Aviation Museum in Gulfport, Mississippi.

(7) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission shall sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi, but no such sale shall be made at a price less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; however, the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

Notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and in one or more other newspapers or financial journals with a national circulation, to be selected by the commission.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 14. Section 63, Chapter 511, Laws of 2016, is amended as follows:

Section 63. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2016 * * *~~Philadelphia Bypass~~ Mississippi Highway 19 Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Transportation, to pay costs associated with the * * * completion of the four-lane of Mississippi Highway 19 South at the south Philadelphia City boundary intersection at Holland Avenue and extending south along said Mississippi Highway 19 South to the intersection of BIA Road 241 (also known as Tucker Road), including, but not be limited to, all necessary acquisition, preconstruction and construction activities.

(c) The Department of Transportation is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this subsection. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Transportation, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Transportation, or his designee.

(7) The commission shall act as the issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

If such bonds are sold by sealed bids at public sale, notice of the sale of any such bonds shall be published at least one time, not less than ten (10) days before the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers published or having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, selected by the commission.

(9) Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of this section, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (2) of this section. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Transportation under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 15. Section 37, Chapter 472, Laws of 2015, is amended as follows:

Section 37. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated the "2015 City of Bolton Community Center and Parks Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) 1. Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) of the monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to assist the City of Bolton, Mississippi, in paying the costs of repair, renovation and rehabilitation of a community center and Jimmie Lewis Park in the City of Bolton; and

2. Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) of the monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to assist Mount Olive Recreational Development Corporation in paying the costs of construction, repair, renovation, replacement and improvement of facilities and infrastructure at Mount Olive Park in the City of Bolton.

(7) The commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds authorized under this section, prescribe the form of the bonds, determine the appropriate method for sale of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids or negotiate the sale of the bonds, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, pay all fees and costs incurred in such issuance and sale, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. The commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under this section from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds. The commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale or may negotiate the sale of the bonds for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the State of Mississippi. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 16. Section 65-4-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-4-15. (1) There is hereby established a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the "Economic Development Highway Fund" which shall consist of such monies as the Legislature shall appropriate thereto or such other monies as the Legislature may designate to be deposited therein. Any monies to the credit of such fund may be expended by the Mississippi Department of Transportation or political subdivision, as appropriate, upon approval of requisitions therefor by the Mississippi Development Authority for any expenses incurred by the Transportation Department or political subdivision in constructing and improving highways and highway segments which have been approved by the Mississippi Development Authority under the provisions of this chapter. From and after July 1, 2004, no monies to the credit of the fund may be expended for the construction and improvement of highways for high economic benefit projects that are being developed for the primary purpose of conducting retail sales unless the Mississippi Development Authority has received an application for the project prior to July 1, 2004. With regard to a high economic benefit project as defined in Section 65-4-5(1)(c)(xiii) for which the Mississippi Development Authority approved and allocated monies in the fund before January 1, 2016, for constructing or improving a highway or highway segment related to the high economic benefit project, the Mississippi Development Authority may reallocate such monies from the original highway or highway segment purpose and allocate the funds for constructing or improving another highway or highway segment provided that such highway or highway segment is located within three (3) miles of the high economic benefit project for which the Mississippi Development Authority originally allocated and approved the monies. The Office of State Aid Road Construction shall be entitled to reimbursement from monies in the fund, upon approval by the Mississippi Development Authority of requisitions therefor by the State Aid Engineer, for the actual expenses incurred by the office in administering and providing engineering services to political subdivisions. Monies remaining unexpended to the credit of such special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the investment of monies in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(2) Monies in the Economic Development Highway Fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under this chapter after July 1, 2003, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance to a political subdivision related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Development Authority. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such a project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects. Reimbursements to the Mississippi Development Authority under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

SECTION 17. Section 6, Chapter 472, Laws of 2015, is amended as follows:

Section 6. (1) As used in this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(b) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(2) (a) (i) A special fund, to be designated as the "2015 City of Taylorsville Water Supply and Georgia Pacific Chip Mill Access Road Improvements Fund," is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts 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 such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, to assist the City of Taylorsville, Mississippi, in paying the costs of improvements to the Fellowship Water Supply and improvements to the Georgia Pacific Chip Mill Access Road; however, any monies not utilized by the City of Taylorsville to pay the costs of improvements to the Fellowship Water Supply and improvements to the Georgia Pacific Chip Mill Access Road may be utilized by the City of Taylorsville to pay the costs of road projects in the city.

provisions of this section shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the commission by a majority of its members.

(14) Bonds issued under the provisions of this section and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

(15) The proceeds of the bonds issued under this section shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds.

SECTION 18. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.