MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Tourism; Appropriations

By: Representative Currie

House Bill 1291

AN ACT TO TRANSFER THE FUNCTIONS AND ASSETS OF THE MISSISSIPPI BLUES COMMISSION TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI BLUES ADVISORY COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 39-27-1, 39-27-3 AND 57-1-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

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

SECTION 1.  From and after the July 1, 2020, the Mississippi Development Authority shall be the Mississippi Blues Commission.  All funds or other assets of the Mississippi Blues Commission shall be transferred to the Mississippi Development Authority on that date.  Any reference in law to the Mississippi Blues Commission shall mean the Mississippi Development Authority.  The Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority shall assign the functions of the Mississippi Blues Commission to any organizational divisions or other units of the authority that the Executive Director determines to be appropriate.

     SECTION 2.  Section 39-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     39-27-1.  (1)  * * *There is created the Mississippi Blues Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission." The * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority may accept and expend grants and private donations from any source, including federal, state, public and private entities, to assist it to carry out * * *its the functions formerly vested in the Mississippi Blues Commission set out in this chapter.

     (2)  For purposes of this chapter, the term "blues" shall mean African-American roots music and the culture that created it.

     (3)  The powers, functions and duties of the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

          (a)  To study, deliberate and report to the Governor and the Legislature on the best method or plan to market and foster an appreciation of the blues, to include tourism, academic study and blues archives, blues historical preservation, blues cultural education and the support of performing artists.  The marketing plan shall be designed to attract tourists, conferences, music performances, filmmakers and others for the purpose of economic development of all geographic areas of the state, through the promotion of the blues and the heritage and culture that produced the blues, and to analyze the tourism potential of the blues for Mississippi.

          (b)  To make an inventory of blues "assets" that make up the blues and blues culture that could be developed into a program for domestic and international tourism, and opportunities for investment.

          (c)  To establish a statewide Mississippi "Blues Trail" infrastructure to offer to tourists and targeted groups a structured tour of Mississippi blues historical sites and performance venues.

          (d)  To coordinate with the * * *Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, the State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, the University Center for Economic Development at Mississippi Valley State University, the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University, the Delta Blues Museum, the Delta Music Institute, the Mississippi Arts Commission and similar organizations in the sharing of resources and information in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to marketing the blues and blues culture in Mississippi.

          (e)  To make recommendations regarding the establishment of, and budgeting for, a permanent Mississippi Office of the Blues as an agency of state government with an executive director and appropriate staff to carry out the marketing plan developed by the * * * commission Mississippi Development Authority.  To the extent practical, any office shall be located at an existing public or private location which is appropriate to the blues or blues culture in Mississippi, with minimal cost to the state.

          (f)  To coordinate the blues marketing plan with any existing state historic preservation programs, in order to:

              (i)  Identify and preserve blues historic properties or sites;

              (ii)  Determine the eligibility of those properties or sites for listing on the National Register;

              (iii)  Prepare nominations of those properties or sites for inclusion on the National Register;

              (iv)  Maintain blues historical and archaeological data bases; and

              (v)  Evaluate those properties and sites for eligibility for state and federal preservation incentives.

          (g)  To raise and expend grant funds to provide assistance to any blues musicians in need.

     (4)  * * *The commission There is created a Mississippi Blues Advisory Commission to provide advice and guidance to the Mississippi Development Authority on all matters provided for in this chapter.  The Mississippi Blues Advisory Commission shall be composed of the following members:

 * * *(a)  The Director of the Division of Tourism of the Mississippi Development Authority;

          ( * * *ba)  The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, or his designee;

          ( * * *cb)  The Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his designee;

          ( * * *dc)  The Executive Director of the Mississippi Educational Television Authority, or his designee;

          ( * * *ed)  The Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi;

          ( * * *fe)  * * *Until April 10, 2008, the Director of the University Center for Economic Development at Mississippi Valley State University, and after April 10, 2008, A person designated by the President of Mississippi Valley State University;

          ( * * *gf)  The Director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University;

          ( * * *hg)  The President of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center;

          ( * * *ih)  The State Director of the USDA Rural Development Agency;

          ( * * *ji)  Two (2) members of the Mississippi Senate designated by the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;

          ( * * *kj)  Two (2) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives designated by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve on a nonvoting basis;

          ( * * *lk)  Two (2) members appointed by the Governor, who shall have experience in cultural affairs or tourism development in the Mississippi Delta; and

          ( * * *ml)  Four (4) members appointed by the Governor from the state at large, who shall have demonstrated a commitment to the understanding and promotion of the blues.

     (5)   * * *The Governor shall designate one (1) commission member to serve as chairman for a term concurrent with that of the Governor.  The commission shall meet upon the call of the chairman not later than August 1, 2004, and shall organize for business by adopting internal organizational procedures necessary for efficient operation of the commission, including officers, quorum requirements and policies for any commission staff.  Each member of the commission shall designate necessary staff of his or her respective agency, department, university or business entity, as the case may be, to provide administrative support to assist the commission in performing its duties and responsibilities.  The commission shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly each year.  Meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and opportunity for public comment shall be made available. The Mississippi Development Authority shall designate necessary staff to provide administrative and program support to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

     (6)  Members of the * * *commission Mississippi Blues Advisory Commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

 * * *(7)  The commission shall submit a report, including any proposed legislation, to the Governor and to the Legislature before the convening of the 2009 Regular Session.  The report shall include a comprehensive state plan for marketing the blues as specifically provided above.

     ( * * *87)  All departments, boards, agencies, officers and institutions of the state, and all subdivisions thereof, shall cooperate with the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority in carrying out its purposes under this chapter.

     ( * * *98)  Any funds or donations received by the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority shall be deposited into a special fund which is created in the State Treasury.  The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state.  Unexpended amounts remaining in the special 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 special fund.

     Monies in the fund shall be expended by the Department of Finance and Administration after receipt of requisitions submitted by the appropriate person designated by the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority.  Monies in the special fund may be used by the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter.

     SECTION 3.  Section 39-27-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     39-27-3.  The * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority shall designate specific sites for erection of appropriate "Mississippi Blues Trail" markers to offer to tourists and targeted groups a structured tour of Mississippi blues historical sites and performance venues.  The * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority shall be authorized to purchase appropriate Mississippi Blues Trail markers from any of its available funds.  The texts for the Mississippi Blues Trail markers shall be approved by the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority.  The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall cooperate with the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority by erecting and maintaining the markers that have been approved by the * * *commission Mississippi Development Authority.

     SECTION 4.  Section 57-1-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     57-1-55.  (1)  The * * *Department of Economic and Community Development Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general powers and duties:  To develop and manage programs which enhance the climate for economic growth through assistance to private sector businesses, local communities and individuals, and through an extensive national and international marketing effort.

     (2)  The * * *Department of Economic and Community Development Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general powers and duties with respect to economic development:

          (a)  To plan, supervise and direct an active program of solicitation of industries to locate within the state;

          (b)  To prepare, maintain and disseminate information which is needed by companies in evaluating site locations;

          (c)  To consult with, advise and assist prospective industries wishing to locate within the state;

          (d)  To encourage new or expanding industries, which will add to the economy, to locate within the state;

          (e)  To maintain a coordinated liaison function with other development groups, including state and federal agencies, and planning and development districts, utility companies, chambers of commerce and railroads;

          (f)  To assist communities and counties within the state in preparation for economic growth;

          (g)  To assist new and existing business and industry and encourage their development and expansion;

          (h)  To plan and conduct a nationwide advertising program promoting the state to prospective industry.  Any contract entered into for such purposes shall be advertised, bid and accepted in accordance with the same procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the purchase of commodities and contracts for public purchases under Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972;

          (i)  To work with economic development agencies of the federal government in areas of industrial development and provide information to industrial prospects regarding the availability of federal funds and assistance;

          (j)  To work with the Department of Corrections, pursuant to the provisions of Section 47-5-501 et seq., in identifying and evaluating acceptable industries and businesses and in acting as an agent of the Department of Corrections by communicating with such concerns and aggressively soliciting their participation in the Correctional Industries Work Program;

          (k)  To perform related work as required;

          (l)  To disseminate information about financial and other programs of the * * *Department of Economic and Community Development Mississippi Development Authority that will assist in the creation or expansion of industries processing wood products in this state;

          (m)  To market processed and raw agricultural products domestically and abroad;

          (n)  To aid in the establishment of business incubation centers by private business interests, not for profit corporations, and/or governmental entities.  The department may provide funds by contract for the establishment of business incubation centers and may contract for space in which business incubation centers will be located.  Business incubation centers are defined as facilities and support services that encourage the establishment of successful small businesses by providing a short-term sheltered environment.  The department may solicit and accept grants and other financial aid or support from private or public sources to aid in the development of business incubation centers.  In addition, advice and assistance to established business incubation centers may be provided by the department; and

          (o)  To employ licensed real estate brokers and appraisers necessary for the industrial development of any real estate under the ownership or control of the * * *Department of Economic and Community Development Mississippi Development Authority.  Any contract entered into for such purposes shall be advertised, bid and accepted in accordance with the same procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the purchase of commodities and contracts for public purchases under Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(p)  To carry out the functions of the Mississippi Blues Commission as provided in Section 1 of this act. 

SECTION 5.  Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a new section in Chapter 27, Title 39, Mississippi Code of 1972. 

     SECTION 6.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.

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