House Bill 189

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 35-1-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD TO MOVE THE MISSISSIPPI PERSIAN GULF WAR MEMORIAL FROM THE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI, TO ANOTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 35-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

35-1-43. (1) The State Veterans Affairs Board may establish, operate and maintain a Mississippi Persian Gulf War Memorial on the grounds of the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton County, Mississippi. The Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board is authorized to move the Mississippi Persian Gulf War Memorial to another appropriate location and make necessary expenditures therefor from the Mississippi Persian Gulf War Memorial Fund. The purpose of the memorial is to honor and commemorate the sacrifices and service of United States Armed Forces personnel from Mississippi who have served or will serve in the Persian Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and the date on which the conflict is declared to be over, as established by law or presidential proclamation.

(2) The State Veterans Affairs Board is designated the agency of this state to receive any aid or funds from any source for the purpose of establishing, operating and maintaining the Persian Gulf War Memorial. The board may receive gifts, contributions, bequests and individual reimbursements from any source, the receipt of which shall not exclude any other source of revenue.

(3) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Mississippi Persian Gulf War Memorial Fund." All funds received by the board under subsection (2) must be deposited into the special fund and expended by the board to establish, operate and maintain the Mississippi Persian Gulf War Memorial.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.