Senate Bill 2724

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO SELL, TRANSFER AND CONVEY CERTAIN TAX-FORFEITED REAL PROPERTIES ACQUIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Subject to the requirements of this section, Jackson State University (university), in consultation with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to sell, transfer, convey and dispose of certain tax-forfeited real property acquired by the university when the property has ceased to be used for university-related purposes or when, in the university's judgment, a sale thereof would promote the best interest of the university. Any real property shall be located in Hinds County, Mississippi, within an area particularly described as follows:

South of Dr. Robert Smith Parkway, West of Gallatin Street, East of University Boulevard, and North of Highway 80.

(2) For purposes of this section, "homeowner" means a residential occupant of a property who also holds an ownership interest in the property. A person who owns an interest in a property, but who does not reside on the property, shall not be considered a homeowner. Jackson State University is authorized to sell, transfer and convey the property described in subsection (1) of this section to certain homeowners and entities according to the procedures set forth in this section. The property may be sold without appraisal and without consideration following approval by Institutions of Higher Learning.

(3) The university may designate the manner by which the offers to purchase property will be received, including, but not limited to, offers sealed in an envelope, offers made electronically or offers made by any other method that encourages community homeowners to purchase the property.

(4) Right of first refusal for the purchase of the property described in subsection (1) of this section shall be given to persons or entities as follows:

(a) (i) Adjacent homeowner sharing a common boundary with the subject parcel; or

(ii) Adjacent homeowner who agrees to combine the parcel where applicable;

(b) If no adjacent homeowner submits an offer to purchase, or if there is no adjacent homeowner, preference will be given to the following persons or entities in this order:

(i) Homeowner residing on the same street, block or in the same neighborhood as the subject parcel;

(ii) A recreational or educational organization that is not exempt from taxation and that is located on the same street, block or in the same neighborhood as the subject parcel;

(iii) Neighborhood association organization or community land trust that is actively involved in the neighborhood. Community land trusts must provide consent by the appropriate neighborhood association organization to acquire property under the provisions of this act.

(c) If none of the persons or entities listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection purchase the subject parcel within two hundred forty (240) days, the parcel may be sold on a first-come, first-served basis to any person who is a resident of the City of Jackson.

(d) If none of the persons or entities listed in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this subsection purchase the subject parcel within three hundred (300) days and if the university finds that the assessed value of the parcel is zero, then the university may dispose of the parcel in the manner it deems appropriate and in its best interest. However, no official or employee of the university shall derive any personal economic benefit from the sale, transfer or conveyance of property under this section.

(5) The university shall first advertise notice of its intent to sell the property for three (3) consecutive weeks by:

(a) Posting notices at three (3) or more public places located in the City of Jackson, Mississippi;

(b) Publishing notices in a newspaper published in the county or some paper having a general circulation in the county; and

(c) Making any other reasonable efforts to provide notice to local homeowners or community organizations who may be interested in purchasing the property. When possible, the notices shall include a list of the property described in subsection (1) of this section.

(6) The proceeds from all sales under this section shall be deposited into a special fund as designated by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The funds shall be used and expended under the supervision of the board for the use and benefit of the university.

(7) Jackson State University shall encourage the Jackson State University Development, the Jackson State University Educational Building Corporation and any other university-affiliated entity to sell or dispose of their tax-forfeited property according to the procedures set forth in this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.