House Bill 660

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 57-119-9 AND 57-119-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FOR PROJECTS FROM THE GULF COAST RESTORATION FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-119-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PERCENTAGE LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE THAT MAY BE PROVIDED FROM THE GULF COAST RESTORATION FUND FOR THE COST OF ANY PROJECT SHALL NOT APPLY TO PROJECTS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC ENTITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 57-119-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-119-9. (1) Applicants who are eligible for assistance under this section include, but are not limited to, local units of government, nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher learning, community colleges, public schools, ports, airports, public-private partnerships, private for-profit entities, private nonprofit entities and local economic development entities. Projects that are eligible for assistance under this section are projects that have the potential to generate increased economic activity in the region, as described in Section 57-119-11(3).

(2) MDA shall establish criteria, rules, and procedures for accepting and reviewing applications for assistance under this section. MDA, with advice from the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Advisory Board, shall review, compile and score all timely received applications, and shall present the applications and its recommendations for assistance to individual projects under this section to the Legislature no later than December 1 of the year. The Legislature shall determine individual projects that will be funded under this section by separate line items in an appropriation bill.

(3) Applications for assistance under this section will be received through web portals set up by MDA. MDA shall set criteria for the web portal which may include protection of the confidentiality of any or all of the applications.

(4) The project described in paragraph (m) of Section 18, Chapter 106, Laws of 2020 (Senate Bill No. 2977), to assist George County with a rail connection project, shall not be required to meet the criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority for the selection and recommendation of projects under this section in order to receive the funds allocated for that project under Chapter 106.

SECTION 2. Section 57-119-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-119-11. (1) MDA is further authorized, on such terms and conditions consistent with the criteria set forth in this section as it may determine, to establish programs for making loans, loan guarantees, grants and any other financial assistance from the GCRF to applicants whose projects are approved for assistance under this section. MDA shall establish criteria, rules and procedures for accepting, reviewing, granting or denying applications, and for terms and conditions of financial assistance under this section in accordance with state law. The Legislature shall appropriate monies from the GCRF to the MDA to fund the programs established under this section in an amount requested annually by MDA for such purpose.

(2) Applicants who are eligible for assistance under this section include, but are not limited to, local units of government, nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher learning, community colleges, public schools, ports, airports, public-private partnerships, private for-profit entities, private nonprofit entities, and local economic development entities.

(3) MDA shall establish programs and an application process to provide assistance to applicants under this section that prioritize:

(a) Projects that will impact the long-term competitiveness of the region and may result in a significant positive impact on tax base, private sector job creation and private sector investment in the region;

(b) Projects that demonstrate the maximum long-term economic benefits and long-term growth potential of the region based on a financial analysis such as a cost-benefit analysis or a return-on-investment analysis;

(c) Projects that demonstrate long-term financial sustainability, including clear performance metrics, over the duration of the project;

(d) Projects that leverage or encourage leveraging of other private sector, local, state and federal funding sources with preference to projects that can demonstrate contributions from other sources than funds from the BP settlement;

(e) Projects that are supported by multiple government or private sector entities;

(f) Projects that can move quickly and efficiently to the design, engineering, and permitting phase;

(g) Projects that enhance the quality of life/place and business environment of the region, including tourism and recreational opportunities;

(h) Projects that expand the region's ability to attract high-growth industries or establish new high-growth industries in the region;

(i) Projects that leverage or further enhance key regional assets, including educational institutions, research facilities, ports, airports, rails and military bases;

(j) Projects that are transformational for the future of the region but create a wider regional impact;

(k) Projects that enhance the marketability of existing industrial properties;

(l) Projects that enhance a targeted industry cluster or create a Center of Excellence unique to the region;

(m) Infrastructure projects for business retention and development;

(n) Projects that enhance research and innovative technologies in the region; and

(o) Projects that provide outcome and return on investment measures, to be judged by clear performance metrics, over the duration of the project or program.

SECTION 3. Section 57-119-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-119-13. (1) Assistance provided under this chapter may not be used to finance one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of any project; however, this limitation shall not apply to projects for local units of government, state institutions of higher learning, public community colleges, public schools, government-owned ports and government-owned airports.

(2) Contracts executed by MDA with recipients of assistance under this chapter must include provisions requiring a performance report on the contracted activities, must account for the proper use of funds provided under the contract, and must include provisions for recovery of assistance if the assistance was based upon fraudulent information or the recipient of the assistance is not meeting the performance requirements established by MDA of the assistance. Recipients of assistance under this chapter must regularly report to MDA the status of the project on a schedule determined by MDA.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.