MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Lamar, Arnold

House Bill 1663

(As Passed the House)

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 AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 480, LAWS OF 2021, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY MAY BE USED; TO AMEND SECTIONS 6 THROUGH 20, CHAPTER 521, LAWS OF 1995, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 25, CHAPTER 492, LAWS OF 2019, TO INCREASE FROM $36,843,000 TO $41,293,000 THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND RURAL WATER SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENTS REVOLVING LOAN FUND; AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-145, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,490,000 TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT NOT MORE THAN $2,870,000 OF SUCH BONDS MAY BE ISSUED TO MATCH THE ANNUAL CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND APPROPRIATIONS AND THAT NOT MORE THAN $1,620,000 OF SUCH BONDS MAY BE ISSUED TO MATCH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT JOBS ACT APPROPRIATIONS; 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 18, CHAPTER 492, LAWS OF 2020, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE "MISSISSIPPI DAM SAFETY FUND"; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST TATE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DITCH EROSION CONTROL, REPAIR AND REHABILITATION IN TATE COUNTY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS; TO AMEND SECTION 39-11-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH MONIES IN THE BUILDING FUND FOR THE ARTS MAY BE USED; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000,000 FOR THE ACE FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000,000 TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-701, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO, AND TO EXPAND THE CATEGORIES OF ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES FROM THE MISSISSIPPI SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 57-61-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE BY $10,000,000 THE AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 57-61-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BOND PROCEEDS THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY UTILIZE UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT TO MAKE GRANTS OR LOANS TO MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH AN EQUIPMENT AND PUBLIC FACILITIES GRANT AND LOAN FUND TO AID IN INFRASTRUCTURE-RELATED IMPROVEMENTS, THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, AND THE PURCHASE, CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 57-75-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE FROM $80,000,000 TO $83,000,000 THE AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT ACT FOR PROJECTS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE FACILITIES THAT ARE AT RISK FOR CLOSURE PURSUANT TO THE DEFENSE BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACT OF 1990 OR OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW; TO EXTEND THE REPEALER ON THE PROVISIONS THAT AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOND COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SALE OF BONDS ISSUED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 65-4-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE BY $7,000,000 THE AMOUNT OF BONDS AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 25, CHAPTER 533, LAWS OF 2010, AS LAST AMENDED BY SECTION 14, CHAPTER 480, LAWS OF 2021, TO INCREASE BY $10,000,000 THE AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT MAY BE ISSUED FOR THE MISSISSIPPI INDUSTRY INCENTIVE FINANCING REVOLVING FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  The provisions of this section shall apply to every section of this act that relates to the issuance of bonds unless otherwise provided in this act.

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

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

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

     (3)  The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this act 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 act 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 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 this act, 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 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 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 act 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 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.

     (7)  The bonds issued under the provisions 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 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 act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (1) of the applicable section of this act.  The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed from the special fund 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 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 this act.  Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this act 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 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 Title 31, Chapter 13, 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 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 any and all rights granted under this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

     (12)  All bonds issued under the provisions 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.

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

     (14)  The proceeds of the bonds issued under this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein 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 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 thereon, on the due dates thereof.  As used in this section, the "accreted value" of any bond means, as of any date of computation, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the stated initial value of such bond, plus (b) 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.

     (16)  This act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers granted in this act that relate to the issuance of bonds, but this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state that relates to the issuance of bonds.

     SECTION 2.  (1)  (a)  (i)  A special fund, to be designated as the "2022 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......................... $   5,040,000.00

   Preplanning for repair,

     renovation, and

     expansion of and upgrades

     and improvements to the

     David L. Whitney Complex

     and Wellness Center; campus

     safety and security project,

     including open space

     development, sprinkler

     systems for dormitories,

     security camera

     installation, card access

     systems, street lighting,

     and emergency kiosks; and

     repair, renovation and

     upgrading of campus

     infrastructure..............$   1,040,000.00

   Repair and renovation of

     and upgrades and 

     improvements to the Math

     and Science Building.......$   4,000,000.00

Delta State University........................... $  5,640,000.00

   Repair, renovation and

     replacement of and

     upgrades and

     improvements to HVAC systems

     and related equipment and

     infrastructure.............$   3,937,500.00

   Repair and renovation

     for ADA compliance

     for the Bologna Performing

     Arts Center...............$   1,702,500.00

Jackson State University........................ $  12,000,000.00

   Construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     dining facility and

     related facilities........$  12,000,000.00

Mississippi State University.................... $  14,680,000.00

   Repair, renovation, construction,

     acquisition of property, furnishing

     and equipping of related

     facilities to house the

     College of Architecture,

     Art and Design...........$  14,680,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of

 Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine... $   9,610,000.00

   Repair and renovation

     of and upgrades and

     improvements to

     Dorman Hall and

     related facilities......$   9,610,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................ $   2,500,000.00

   Repair, renovation,

     and upgrading of

     campus buildings

and facilities..........$   2,500,000.00

Mississippi Valley State University.............. $  10,200,000.00

   Repair, renovation,

     furnishing and

     equipping of the

     Charles Lackey

     Recreation Center.......$  10,200,000.00

University of Mississippi........................ $  5,500,000.00

   Construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     mechanical and power

     plant building and related

     facilities................$   4,500,000.00

   Preplanning for

     construction,

     furnishing and

     equipping of a

     new building and

     related facilities

     to house the School

     of Accountancy..........$   1,000,000.00

University of Mississippi Medical Center......... $   8,000,000.00

   Repair, renovation,

     and upgrading of

     campus buildings

     and facilities..............$   8,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi............... $  11,000,000.00

   Construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     science research facility...$  11,000,000.00

IHL Education and Research Center............... $   1,400,000.00

   Repair and replacement of

     chillers and related

     equipment for the campus

     air conditioning and

     heating system.......$   1,400,000.00

TOTAL.......................................... $  85,570,000.00

          (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 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.

     (2)  (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 (1) 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 shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission.  Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission is authorized to proceed under the provisions of Section 1(6) of this act.  The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Eighty-five Million Five Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($85,570,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (1) 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.

     (3)  The provisions of Section 1 of this act shall apply to the issuance of bonds authorized under this section.

     SECTION 3.  (1)  (a)  (i)  A special fund, to be designated as the "2022 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 into such fund.  Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

              (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..................................... $  1,625,092.00

Copiah-Lincoln...............................   1,896,610.00

East Central.................................. 1,788,344.00

East Mississippi.............................. 2,069,283.00

Hinds........................................   3,835,672.00

Holmes....................................... 2,710,687.00

Itawamba...................................... 2,451,082.00

Jones........................................ 2,302,608.00

Meridian...................................... 1,892,071.00

Mississippi Delta............................. 1,705,028.00

Mississippi Gulf Coast........................ 3,415,612.00

Northeast Mississippi......................... 2,199,052.00

Northwest Mississippi......................... 2,860,867.00

Pearl River..................................   2,559,381.00

Southwest Mississippi......................... 1,688,611.00

GRAND TOTAL.....................................   $35,000,000.00

          (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.

     (2)  (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 (1) 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 shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission.  Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission is authorized to proceed under the provisions of Section 1(6) of this act.  The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed Thirty-five Million Dollars ($35,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (1) 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.

     (3)  The provisions of Section 1 of this act shall apply to the issuance of bonds authorized under this section.

     SECTION 4.  Section 1, Chapter 480, Laws of 2021, 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:

          (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.

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

     (2)  (a)  (i)  A special fund, to be designated as the "2021 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......................... $   5,675,000.00

   Phase I of repair and

     renovation of and

     upgrades and improvements

     to campus dormitories.......$   5,675,000.00

Delta State University.......................... $  10,800,000.00

   Renovation and expansion

     of and upgrades, 

     improvements and additions

     to the Robert E. Smith

     School of Nursing

     Building and related

     facilities..................$   7,800,000.00

   Repair, renovation

     and upgrading of

     campus buildings

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

Jackson State University........................ $   6,500,000.00

   Phase III of repair,

     renovation and

     upgrading of campus

     buildings, facilities,

and infrastructure..........$   6,000,000.00

   Preplanning for 

     construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     dining facility and

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

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

    * * *Phase I of Repair, renovation,

     construction, acquisition

     of property, furnishing

     and equipping of * * * a new building and

     related facilities to

house the College of

Architecture, Art

and Design..................$  15,000,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of

 Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine... $   8,000,000.00

   Repair and renovation of

     and upgrades and  

     improvements to Dorman Hall

     and related facilities......$   8,000,000.00

Mississippi University for Women................ $   2,750,000.00

   Repair, renovation,

     and upgrading of

     campus buildings

and facilities..............$   2,750,000.00

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

   Preplanning for repair,

     renovation, furnishing

     and equipping of the

     Charles Lackey

     Recreation Center...........$     500,000.00

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

   Construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     mechanical and power

     plant building and related

     facilities..................$  12,000,000.00

University of Mississippi Medical Center......... $   8,000,000.00

   Repair, renovation,

     and upgrading of

     campus buildings

     and facilities..............$   8,000,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi............... $  10,750,000.00

   Repair and renovation

     of Hickman Hall and

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

   Preplanning and

     construction, furnishing

     and equipping of a new

     science research facility...$     750,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf

 Coast Campuses................................. $   5,800,000.00

   Construction, furnishing

     and equipping of

     Executive Education

     and Conference Center

     and related facilities

     on the Gulf Park

     Campus......................$   4,800,000.00

   Repair, renovation

     life safety, and

     ADA code upgrades,

     furnishing and equipping

     of campus buildings

     and facilities

     at the Gulf Coast

     Research Laboratory,

     Halstead Campus.............$   1,000,000.00

IHL Education and Research Center............... $     600,000.00

   Planning, repair, renovation,

     life safety and ADA code

     upgrades of buildings,

     facilities and infrastructure,

     including the Paul B. Johnson

     Tower, Edsel E. Thrash

     Universities Center and

     the Mississippi Public

     Broadcasting Building.......$     600,000.00

TOTAL.......................................... $  86,375,000.00

          (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 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.

     (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.  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 Eighty-six Million Three Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($86,375,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2025.

          (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 Title 31, Chapter 13, 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 5.  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, as amended by Section 8, Chapter 452, Laws of 2018, as amended by Section 12, Chapter 454, Laws of 2019, as amended by Section 25, Chapter 492, Laws of 2020, 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‑three Million Eight Hundred Forty‑three Thousand Dollars ($33,843,000.00 Forty-one Million Two Hundred Ninety-three Thousand Dollars ($41,293,000.00), 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 6.  (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.

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

     (2)  (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 the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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 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, 2026.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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 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.

     (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 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 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.

     (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 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 Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund created in Section 39-5-145, and the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (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 7.  Section 39-5-145, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     39-5-145.  (1)  A special fund, to be designated the "Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant 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.  The fund shall consist of any monies designated for deposit therein from any source, including proceeds of any state general obligation bonds designated for deposit therein.  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 the fund.  The expenditure of monies deposited into the fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration.  Monies deposited into such fund shall be allocated and disbursed according to the provisions of this section.  If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Department of Finance and Administration shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

     (2)  Monies deposited into the fund shall be allocated and disbursed as follows:

          (a)  (i)  Forty‑six Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($46,200,000.00)  * * *Fifty‑one Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($51,200,000.00) Fifty-six Million Fifty Thousand Dollars ($56,050,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants on a reimbursable basis through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments, municipal governments, school districts, universities, community colleges, state agencies and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service in helping pay the costs incurred in preserving, restoring, rehabilitating, repairing or interpreting 1. historic county courthouses, 2. historic school buildings, and/or 3. other historic properties identified by certified local governments.  Where possible, expenditures from the fund shall be used to match federal grants or other grants that may be accessed by the Department of Archives and History, other state agencies, county governments or municipal governments, school districts or nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service.  Any properties, except those described in paragraphs (b) and (d) of this subsection, receiving monies pursuant to this section must be designated as "Mississippi Landmark" properties prior to selection as projects for funding under the provisions of this section.

              (ii)  One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grants through the Department of Finance and Administration, based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History, to assist county governments in helping pay the costs of historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses.  Grants to individual courthouses under this paragraph (a)(ii) shall not exceed Eight Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($875,000.00).

          (b)  Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Amory Regional Museum in Amory, Mississippi, to pay the costs of capital improvements, repair, renovation, furnishing and/or equipping of the museum.  The Department of Finance and Administration is directed to transfer Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) from the fund to the city on or before December 31, 2004, and the city shall place the funds into an escrow account.  The city may expend the funds from the account only in an amount equal to matching funds that are provided from any source other than the state for the project.  As the funds are withdrawn from the escrow account, the city shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the amount of the funds that have been withdrawn and that the funds withdrawn are in an amount equal to matching funds required by this paragraph.

          (c)  One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Jacinto Foundation, Inc., to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing and/or equipping the courthouse and related facilities in Jacinto, Mississippi, and to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing and/or equipping other buildings and facilities near the courthouse.

          (d)  Four Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation to pay the costs of capital improvements, repairing, renovating, restoring, rehabilitating, preserving, furnishing, equipping and/or acquiring the L.Q.C. Lamar Home in Oxford, Mississippi.

          (e)  One Million Four Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($1,425,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the City of Columbus, Mississippi, to assist in paying the costs associated with repair, renovation and restoration of the Columbus City Hall building and related facilities.

          (f)  One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Town of Wesson, Mississippi, to pay the costs of restoration and renovation of the Old Wesson School.

          (g)  Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the Town of Shubuta, Mississippi, to assist in paying the costs associated with construction, reconstruction, refurbishing, repair, renovation and restoration of the Shubuta Town Hall building and related facilities.

          (h)  Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the City of Okolona, Mississippi, to assist in paying costs associated with the purchase, repair, renovation, furnishing and equipping of a building and related facilities on Main Street in the City of Okolona, for the purpose of establishing a welcome center in which historical information relating to the City of Okolona will be displayed, including, but not limited to, information relating to the furniture, banking, retail and farming industries; education; historical collections owned by individuals and organizations; genealogy; Okolona College; and the Battle of Okolona and the War Between the States.

          (i)  One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, to assist in paying the costs associated with repair, renovation and restoration of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse.

          (j)  Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to Wayne County, Mississippi, to assist in paying the costs associated with repair, renovation and restoration of the Wayne County Courthouse.

          (k)  Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to assist in paying the cost of rehabilitation and restoration of Winterville Indian Mounds in Washington County, Mississippi.

          (l)  Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to the City of Kosciusko, to assist the City of Kosciusko, Mississippi, in paying costs associated with (i) repair, renovation, furnishing, equipping, additions to and expansion of the Kosciusko Natchez Trace Visitor Center in the City of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and (ii) repair, renovation, furnishing, equipping, additions to and expansion of the historic Strand Theater in the City of Kosciusko, Mississippi.

          (m)  One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to Jefferson County, Mississippi, to assist in paying costs associated with repair, renovation, upgrades and improvements to the confederate cemetery and related properties and facilities in the county.

          (n)  Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to Tate County, Mississippi, to assist in paying costs associated with painting, refurbishment and historical restoration and renovation of the Tate County Courthouse.

          (o)  Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) shall be allocated and disbursed as grant funds to Humphreys County, Mississippi, to assist in paying costs associated with repair and renovation of and upgrades and improvements to the Humphreys County Courthouse.

          (p)  Monies in the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund which are derived from proceeds of state general obligation bonds may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this subsection for which funding is provided under this section.  Reimbursement may be made only until such time as the project is completed.  An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.  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.

     (3)  (a)  The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments, municipal governments, school districts, universities, community colleges, state agencies and nonprofit organizations that have obtained Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service for projects associated with the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, repair or interpretation of (i) historic courthouses, (ii) historic school buildings, and/or (iii) other historic properties identified by certified local governments.  Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board.  The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section.  This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(a)(ii), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e), (2)(f), (2)(g), (2)(h) and (2)(j) of this section.

          (b)  The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History shall receive and consider proposals from county governments for projects associated with historically appropriate restoration, repair and renovation of historically significant county courthouses.  Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of procedures, criteria and standards developed by the board.  The board shall determine those projects to be funded and may require matching funds from any applicant seeking assistance under this section.  This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(a)(i), (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

     (4)  The Department of Archives and History shall publicize the Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program described in this section on a statewide basis, including the publication of the criteria and standards used by the department in selecting projects for funding.  The selection of a project for funding under the provisions of this section shall be made solely upon the deliberate consideration of each proposed project on its merits.  The board shall make every effort to award the grants in a manner that will fairly distribute the funds in regard to the geography and cultural diversity of the state.  This subsection shall not apply to projects described in subsection (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(e) and (2)(f) of this section.

     (5)  With regard to any project awarded funding under this section, any consultant, planner, architect, engineer, exhibit contracting firm, historic preservation specialist or other professional hired by a grant recipient to work on any such project shall be approved by the board before their employment by the grant recipient.

     (6)  Plans and specifications for all projects initiated under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the board before the awarding of any contracts.  The plans and specifications for any work involving "Mississippi Landmark" properties shall be developed in accordance with "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties."

     SECTION 8.  (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.

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

     (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, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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 from the annual Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) appropriations and from the supplemental Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) appropriations.  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 Four Million Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($4,490,000.00); however, not more than Two Million Eight Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($2,870,000.00) of such bonds may be issued to match the annual CWSRF appropriations and not more than One Million Six Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($1,620,000.00) of such bonds may be issued to match the supplemental IIJA appropriations.

          (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, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (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.

     (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 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 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.

     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.

     (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, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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.

     (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 9.  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, Section 36 of Chapter 569, Laws of 2013, Section 9 of Chapter 452, Laws of 2018, Section 1 of Chapter 415, Laws of 2019, Section 16 of Chapter 492, Laws of 2020, * * *and Section 137 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2021, and Section 8 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 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 10.  Section 18, Chapter 492, Laws of 2020, is amended as follows:

     Section 18.  (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.

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

     (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 grant program authorized in Section 19 of this act.  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.  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 * * *One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).  No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2024.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Dam Safety Fund created pursuant to * * *Section 15 of this act Section 19, Chapter 492, Laws of 2020.  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.

     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.

     (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 Mississippi Dam Safety Fund created in * * *Section 15 of this act Section 19, Chapter 492, Laws of 2020.  The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Environmental Quality 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 11.  (1)  The provisions of this section shall apply to every section of this act that relates to the issuance of bonds unless otherwise provided in this act.

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

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

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

     (3)  The principal of and interest on the bonds authorized under this act 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 act 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 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 this act, 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 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 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 act 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 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.

     (7)  The bonds issued under the provisions 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 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 act, the commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in subsection (1) of Section 12 of this act.  The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed from the special fund 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 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 this act.  Any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this act 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 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.

     (11)  Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions 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 any and all rights granted under this act, or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this act to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.

     (12)  All bonds issued under the provisions 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.

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

     (14)  The proceeds of the bonds issued under this act shall be used solely for the purposes herein 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 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 thereon, on the due dates thereof.  As used in this section, the "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.

     (16)  This act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers granted in this act that relate to the issuance of bonds, but this act shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state that relates to the issuance of bonds.

     SECTION 12.  (1)  (a)  (i)  A special fund, to be designated as the "2022 Tate County - Erosion Control and Repair 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 Environmental Quality, to assist Tate County, Mississippi, in paying costs associated with ditch erosion control, repair and rehabilitation along and near the project described in Section 27-104-301(2)(mm), Mississippi Code of 1972, and on property located along and near such project, including, but not limited to, creation of detention areas along ditches, replacement of drainage structures along ditches, rock stabilization at downstream ends of ditches and reestablishing vegetative cover on all disturbed areas.

          (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.

     (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 all costs incurred or to be incurred for the purposes described in subsection (1) of this section.  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 section, the Commission on Environmental Quality shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the commission.  Upon receipt of such resolution, the commission is authorized to proceed under the provisions of Section 11(6) of this act.  The total amount of bonds issued under this section shall not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this section after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  Any investment earnings on amounts deposited into the special fund created in subsection (1) 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.

     (3)  The provisions of Section 11 of this act shall apply to the issuance of bonds authorized under this section.

     SECTION 13.  (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.

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

     (2)  (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 the Building Fund for the Arts created pursuant to Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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 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 Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Building Fund for the Arts created pursuant to Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972.  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 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.

     (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 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 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.

     (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 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 Building Fund for the Arts created in Section 39-11-13, and the proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes provided in Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (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 14.  Section 39-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     39-11-13.  (1)  (a)  A special fund, to be designated as the "Building Fund for the Arts," 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.  The fund shall consist of any money designated for deposit therein from any source, including, but not limited to, any state general obligation bonds issued for the purposes described in this section.  Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

          (b)  Money deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Mississippi Arts Commission, to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and units of local government to pay the costs of:

               (i)  Repair, upgrading, expansion, renovation or enhancement of existing buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture, equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities;

               (ii)  Construction of new buildings and facilities for the presentation, teaching or exhibition of the arts in any and all of its forms and furniture equipment and/or technology for such buildings or facilities; or

               (iii)  The development, construction, equipping and furnishing of an entertainment and film center and museum and completion of a sound stage project.

     Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the monies in the fund shall be used to provide grant funds for the establishment of a band and music program for a nonprofit organization in this state that is qualified as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

          (c)  The entity to which such grants are made shall provide matching funds from local, federal or private sources equal to forty percent (40%) of the proposed project cost in order to be eligible for a grant under this section.

          (d)  The maximum aggregate amount of monies in the special fund that may be used to provide grant funds to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), and no monies in the special fund may be used to provide grant funds under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection after July 1, 2003.  The maximum aggregate amount of grant funds that may be provided to an entity or combination of entities under paragraph (b)(iii) of this subsection during a fiscal year shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

     (2)  (a)  Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in subsection (1) of this section.  If any monies in the special fund are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 3 through 18 of Chapter 541, Laws of 2001, as amended by Chapter 540, Laws of 2002, as amended by Chapter 519, Laws of 2003, as amended by Chapter 1, Laws of 2004 Third Extraordinary Session, as amended by Chapter 538, Laws of 2006, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 607, Laws of 2007, and are not used within four (4) years after the date such bond proceeds are deposited into the special fund, then the Mississippi Arts Commission shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the State Bond Commission.

          (b)  [Repealed]

     (3)  The Mississippi Arts Commission 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 money deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration upon request of the Mississippi Arts Commission, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, or his or her designee.

     (4)  The Mississippi Arts Commission shall adopt necessary rules and regulations to govern the administration of the program described in subsection (1) of this section, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations governing applications for grants and rules and regulations providing for the distribution of grant funds. The Mississippi Arts Commission shall comply with the provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.

     SECTION 15.  (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.

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

     (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 program authorized in Section 57-1-16.  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 Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).  No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the ACE Fund created pursuant to Section 57-1-16.  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 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.

     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.

     (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 ACE Fund created in Section 57-1-16.  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 16.  (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.

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

     (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 program authorized in Section 57-1-701.  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 Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2026.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Site Development Grant Fund created pursuant to Section 57-1-701.  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 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.

     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.

     (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 Mississippi Site Development Grant Fund created in Section 57-1-701.  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 17.  Section 57-1-701, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     57-1-701.  (1)  For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

          (a)  "Eligible entity" means any (i) county, (ii) municipality or (iii) public or private nonprofit local economic development entity including, but not limited to, local authorities, commissions, or other entities created by local and private legislation or pursuant to Section 19-5-99.

          (b)  "Optioned property" means industrial property that is subject to a real estate option to purchase contract entered into between an eligible entity and a real estate owner, where such option shall be for a minimum of three (3) years and the option price shall not exceed the appraised fair market value of the real estate.

          ( * * *bc)  "Eligible expenditures" means:

               (i)  Fees for architects, engineers, environmental consultants, attorneys, and such other advisors, consultants and agents that MDA determines are necessary to complete site due diligence associated with site development improvements located on industrial property that is publicly owned or is optioned property; * * * and/or

               (ii)  Contributions toward site development improvements, as approved by MDA, located on industrial property that is publicly owned * * *.;

               (iii)  Contributions toward public infrastructure improvements directly serving industrial property that is publicly owned or is optioned property; and/or

               (iv)  Contributions toward acquisition of publicly owned real property used for economic development purposes by an eligible entity, where the acquisition price shall not exceed the appraised fair market value of the property.

          ( * * *cd)  "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

          ( * * *de)  "Site development improvements" means site clearing, grading, and environmental mitigation; improvements to drainage systems; easement and right-of-way acquisition; sewer systems; transportation directly affecting the site, including roads, bridges or rail; bulkheads; taxiways and parking ramps; land reclamation; water supply (storage, treatment and distribution); telecommunications systems, including fiber optic; natural gas distribution systems; aesthetic improvements; the dredging of channels and basins; or other improvements as approved by MDA.

     (2)  (a)  There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Site Development Grant Fund," which shall consist of funds 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 assist eligible entities as provided in this section.

          (b)  Monies in the fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued under Section 2 of Chapter 390, Laws of 2017, Section 5 of Chapter 412, Laws of 2018, Section 1 of Chapter 421, Laws of 2019, Section 4 of Chapter 492, Laws of 2020, * * * or Section 8 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2021, or Section 16 of this act may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by MDA for the administration of the various grant, loan and financial incentive programs administered by MDA.  An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained by MDA.  Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued.  Reimbursements under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

     (3)  (a)  MDA shall establish a program to make grants to eligible entities to match local or other funds associated with improving the marketability of publicly owned industrial property for industrial economic development purposes and other property improvements as approved by MDA.  An eligible entity may apply to MDA for a grant under this program in the manner provided for in this section.  An eligible entity desiring assistance under this section must provide matching funds in an amount determined by MDA.  Matching funds may be provided in the form of cash and/or in-kind services as determined by MDA.

          (b)  An eligible entity desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to MDA.  The application must include:

              (i)  A description of the eligible expenditures for which assistance is requested;

              (ii)  The amount of assistance requested;

              (iii)  The amount and type of matching funds to be provided by the eligible entity; and

               (iv)  Any other information required by MDA.

          (c)  Upon request by MDA, an eligible entity shall provide MDA with access to all studies, reports, documents and/or plans developed as a result of or related to an eligible entity receiving assistance under this section.

     (4)  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.

     (5)  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 18.  Section 57-61-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     57-61-25.  (1)  The seller is authorized to borrow, on the credit of the state upon receipt of a resolution from the Mississippi Development Authority requesting the same, monies not exceeding the aggregate sum of * * *Three Hundred Ninety‑seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($397,500,000.00) Four Hundred Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($407,500,000.00), not including monies borrowed to refund outstanding bonds, notes or replacement notes, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.  The rate of interest on any such bonds or notes which are not subject to taxation shall not exceed the rates set forth in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, for general obligation bonds.

     (2)  As evidence of indebtedness authorized in this chapter, general or limited obligation bonds of the state shall be issued, from time to time, to provide monies necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter for such total amounts, in such form, in such denominations payable in such currencies (either domestic or foreign, or both) and subject to such terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity, rate of interest and time of payment of interest as the seller directs, except that such bonds shall mature or otherwise be retired in annual installments beginning not more than five (5) years from date thereof and extending not more than thirty (30) years from date thereof.

     (3)  All bonds and notes issued under authority of this chapter shall be signed by the chairman of the seller, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the seller shall be affixed thereto, attested by the secretary of the seller.

     (4)  All bonds and notes issued under authority of this chapter may be general or limited obligations of the state, and the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi as to general obligation bonds, or the revenues derived from projects assisted as to limited obligation bonds, are hereby pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds and notes.

     (5)  Such bonds and notes and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

     (6)  The bonds may be issued as coupon bonds or registered as to both principal and interest, as the seller may determine.  If interest coupons are attached, they shall contain the facsimile signature of the chairman and secretary of the seller.

     (7)  The seller is authorized to provide, by resolution, for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any debt issued under the provisions of this chapter and then outstanding, either by voluntary exchange with the holders of the outstanding debt or to provide funds to redeem and the costs of issuance and retirement of the debt, at maturity or at any call date.  The issuance of the refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof and the duties of the issuing officials in respect to the same shall be governed by the provisions of this section, insofar as they may be applicable.

     (8)  As to bonds issued hereunder and designated as taxable bonds by the seller, any immunity of the state to taxation by the United States government of interest on bonds or notes issued by the state is hereby waived.

     (9)  The proceeds of bonds issued under this chapter after April 9, 2002, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority for the administration of the various grant, loan and financial incentive programs administered by the authority.  An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained by the Mississippi Development Authority.  Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued.  Reimbursements under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

     SECTION 19.  Section 57-61-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     57-61-36.  (1)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than Fourteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($14,500,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of making grants to municipalities through a Development Infrastructure Grant Fund to complete infrastructure related to new or expanded industry.

     (2)  [Repealed]

     (3)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize the monies transferred from the Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund and not more than * * *One Hundred Four Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($104,100,000.00) One Hundred Fourteen Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($114,100,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of making grants or loans to municipalities through an equipment and public facilities grant and loan fund to aid in infrastructure-related improvements as determined by the Mississippi Development Authority, the purchase of equipment and in the purchase, construction or repair and renovation of public facilities.  Any bonds previously issued for the Development Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program which have not been loaned or applied for are eligible to be administered as grants or loans.  In making grants and loans under this section, the Mississippi Development Authority shall attempt to provide for an equitable distribution of such grants and loans among each of the congressional districts of this state in order to promote economic development across the entire state.

     The requirements of Section 57-61-9 shall not apply to any grant made under this subsection.  The Mississippi Development Authority may establish criteria and guidelines to govern grants made pursuant to this subsection.

     (4)  [Repealed]

     (5)  (a)  The Mississippi Development Authority may establish a Capital Access Program and may contract with any financial institution to participate in the program upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall consider necessary and proper.  The Mississippi Development Authority may establish loss reserve accounts at financial institutions that participate in the program and require payments by the financial institution and the borrower to such loss reserve accounts.  All monies in such loss reserve accounts is the property of the Mississippi Development Authority.

          (b)  Under the Capital Access Program a participating financial institution may make a loan to any borrower the Mississippi Development Authority determines to be qualified under rules and regulations adopted by the authority and be protected against losses from such loans as provided in the program.  Under such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Mississippi Development Authority, a participating financial institution may submit claims for the reimbursement for losses incurred as a result of default on loans by qualified borrowers.

          (c)  Under the Capital Access Program a participating financial institution may make a loan that is secured by the assignment of the proceeds of a contract between the borrower and a public entity if the Mississippi Development Authority determines the loan to be qualified under the rules and regulations adopted by the authority.  Under such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Mississippi Development Authority, a participating financial institution may submit an application to the authority requesting that a loan secured pursuant to this paragraph be funded under the Capital Access Program.

          (d)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority may utilize not more than One Million Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,550,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of making payments to loan loss reserve accounts established at financial institutions that participate in the Capital Access Program established by the Mississippi Development Authority; however, any portion of the bond proceeds authorized to be utilized by this paragraph that are not utilized for making payments to loss reserve accounts may be utilized by the Mississippi Development Authority to advance funds to financial institutions that participate in the Capital Access Program pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection.

     (6)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of assisting Warren County, Mississippi, in the continuation and completion of the study for the proposed Kings Point Levee.

     (7)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of developing a long-range plan for coordinating the resources of the state institutions of higher learning, the community and junior colleges, the Mississippi Development Authority and other state agencies in order to promote economic development in the state.

     (8)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall use not more than One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of providing assistance to municipalities that have received Community Development Block Grant funds for repair, renovation and other improvements to buildings for use as community centers.  Assistance provided to a municipality under this subsection shall be used by the municipality to match such Community Development Block Grant funds.  The maximum amount of assistance that may be provided to a municipality under this subsection shall not exceed Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) in the aggregate.

     (9)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of assisting in paying the costs of constructing a new spillway and related bridge and dam structures at Lake Mary in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, including construction of a temporary dam and diversion canal, removing existing structures, removing and stockpiling riprap, spillway construction, dam embankment construction, road access, constructing bridges and related structures, design and construction engineering and field testing.

     (10)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter for the purpose of assisting the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, in providing water and sewer and other infrastructure services in the Marshall, Benton and Tippah Counties area.

     SECTION 20.  Section 57-75-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     [Through June 30, * * * 2022 2025, this section shall read as follows:]

     57-75-15.  (1)  Upon notification to the authority by the enterprise that the state has been finally selected as the site for the project, the State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized and directed, upon receipt of a declaration from the authority as hereinafter provided, to borrow money and issue general obligation bonds of the state in one or more series for the purposes herein set out.  Upon such notification, the authority may thereafter, from time to time, declare the necessity for the issuance of general obligation bonds as authorized by this section and forward such declaration to the State Bond Commission, provided that before such notification, the authority may enter into agreements with the United States government, private companies and others that will commit the authority to direct the State Bond Commission to issue bonds for eligible undertakings set out in subsection (4) of this section, conditioned on the siting of the project in the state.

     (2)  Upon receipt of any such declaration from the authority, the State Bond Commission shall verify that the state has been selected as the site of the project and shall act as the issuing agent for the series of bonds directed to be issued in such declaration pursuant to authority granted in this section.

     (3)  (a)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(i) shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount in the sum of Sixty-seven Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($67,350,000.00).

          (b)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) shall not exceed * * *Seventy‑seven Million Dollars ($77,000,000.00) Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000.00).  The authority, with the express direction of the State Bond Commission, is authorized to expend any remaining proceeds of bonds issued under the authority of this act prior to January 1, 1998, for the purpose of financing projects as then defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) or for any other projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii), as it may be amended from time to time.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph (b) until the State Bond Commission by resolution adopts a finding that the issuance of such bonds will improve, expand or otherwise enhance the military installation, its support areas or military operations, or will provide employment opportunities to replace those lost by closure or reductions in operations at the military installation or will support critical studies or investigations authorized by Section 57-75-5(f)(ii).

          (c)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iii) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 1996.

          (d)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) shall not exceed Three Hundred Fifty-one Million Dollars ($351,000,000.00).  An additional amount of bonds in an amount not to exceed Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000.00) may be issued under the authority of this section for the purpose of defraying costs associated with the construction of surface water transmission lines for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) or for any facility related to the project.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2005.

          (e)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v) and for facilities related to such projects shall not exceed Thirty-eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($38,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

          (f)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(vii) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2006.

          (g)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) shall not exceed Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2008.

          (h)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ix) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2007.

          (i)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(x) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

          (j)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) shall not exceed Thirty-three Million Dollars ($33,000,000.00).  The amount of bonds that may be issued under this paragraph for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) may be reduced by the amount of any federal or local funds made available for such projects.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in or near the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) in the aggregate; however, this irrevocable commitment requirement may be waived by the authority upon a finding that due to the unforeseen circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina, the local governments are unable to comply with such commitment.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2008.

          (k)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiii) shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (l)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv) shall not exceed Twenty-four Million Dollars ($24,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (m)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xv) shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (n)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvi) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2011.

          (o)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvii) shall not exceed Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2010.

          (p)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii) shall not exceed Ninety-six Million Dollars ($96,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2011.

          (q)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xix) shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2012.

          (r)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx) shall not exceed Twenty-three Million Dollars ($23,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 25, 2013.

          (s)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) shall not exceed Two Hundred Ninety-three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($293,900,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (t)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for Tier One suppliers shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (u)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) shall not exceed Forty-eight Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($48,400,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (v)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) shall not exceed Eighty-eight Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($88,250,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2009.

          (w)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiv) shall not exceed Thirteen Million Dollars ($13,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (x)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxv) shall not exceed Twenty-five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2017.

          (y)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvi) shall not exceed Thirty-five Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($35,100,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2021.

          (z)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 25, 2013.

          (aa)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxviii) shall not exceed One Hundred Thirty Million Dollars ($130,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2023.

          (bb)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) shall not exceed Two Hundred Sixty-three Million Dollars ($263,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2034.

          (cc)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxx) shall not exceed Eleven Million Dollars ($11,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2025.

     (4)  (a)  The proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be applied for the following purposes:

              (i)  Defraying all or any designated portion of the costs incurred with respect to acquisition, planning, design, construction, installation, rehabilitation, improvement, relocation and with respect to state-owned property, operation and maintenance of the project and any facility related to the project located within the project area, including costs of design and engineering, all costs incurred to provide land, easements and rights-of-way, relocation costs with respect to the project and with respect to any facility related to the project located within the project area, and costs associated with mitigation of environmental impacts and environmental impact studies;

              (ii)  Defraying the cost of providing for the recruitment, screening, selection, training or retraining of employees, candidates for employment or replacement employees of the project and any related activity;

              (iii)  Reimbursing the Mississippi Development Authority for expenses it incurred in regard to projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) prior to November 6, 2000.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall submit an itemized list of expenses it incurred in regard to such projects to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

              (iv)  Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

              (v)  Paying any warranty made by the authority regarding site work for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

              (vi)  Defraying the cost of marketing and promotion of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1, Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii).  The authority shall submit an itemized list of costs incurred for marketing and promotion of such project to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

              (vii)  Providing for the payment of interest on the bonds;

              (viii)  Providing debt service reserves;

              (ix)  Paying underwriters' discount, original issue discount, accountants' fees, engineers' fees, attorneys' fees, rating agency fees and other fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of the bonds;

              (x)  For purposes authorized in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m) of this subsection (4);

              (xi)  Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v), or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xii)  Providing grant funds or loans to a public agency or an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii);  

              (xiii)  Providing grant funds or loans to an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv);

              (xiv)  Providing grants, loans and payments to or for the benefit of an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii);

              (xv)  Purchasing equipment for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers necessary and appropriate;

               (xvi)  Providing grant funds to an enterprise developing or owning a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx);

              (xvii)  Providing grants and loans for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(kk), (ll), (mm), (uu), (vv) or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xviii)  Providing grants for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(pp) for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xix)  Providing grants and loans for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(qq);

              (xx)  Providing grants for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(rr);

              (xxi)  Providing grants, loans and payments as authorized in Section 57-75-11(ss);

              (xxii)  Providing grants and loans as authorized in Section 57-75-11(tt); and

              (xxiii)  Providing grants as authorized in Section 57-75-11(ww) for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate.

     Such bonds shall be issued, from time to time, and in such principal amounts as shall be designated by the authority, not to exceed in aggregate principal amounts the amount authorized in subsection (3) of this section.  Proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be invested, subject to federal limitations, pending their use, in such securities as may be specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earning on such investment applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.

          (b)  (i)  The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall not exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) in the aggregate.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

              (ii)  The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 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 from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  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 (b)(ii) shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(ii) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

          (c)  (i)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceeds of bonds issued under this section for a project described in Section 57-75-5(f) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to the project for which funding is provided for the use of proceeds of such bonds.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought.  Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project.

              (ii)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceeds of bonds issued under this section for a project described in Section 57-75-5(f) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to the project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  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 Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project.  Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

     (5)  The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable in the manner hereinafter set forth.  The bonds shall bear date or dates; be in such denomination or denominations; bear interest at such rate or rates; be payable at such place or places within or without the state; mature absolutely at such time or times; 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 State Bond Commission except that such bonds shall mature or otherwise be retired in annual installments beginning not more than five (5) years from the date thereof and extending not more than twenty-five (25) years from the date thereof.  The bonds 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 imprinted on or affixed thereto, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Secretary of the State Bond Commission.  Whenever any such bonds have been signed by the officials herein 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 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 the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.

     (6)  All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be and are hereby declared to 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 chapter, the State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

     (7)  The State Bond Commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds, 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 the bonds.  The State Bond 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.  The bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101 as shall be fixed by the State Bond Commission.  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 bonds shall be published at least one time, the first of which shall be made not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, selected by the State Bond Commission.

     The State Bond Commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that the bonds, at the option of the state, 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)  State bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be the general obligations of the state and backed by the full faith and credit of the state.  The Legislature shall appropriate annually an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due.  All bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the foregoing provisions of this section.

     (9)  The State Treasurer is authorized 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 payable out of any funds appropriated by the Legislature under this section for such purpose, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under the provisions of this section.  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.

     (10)  The bonds 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 chapter.  Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of this section 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.

     (11)  In anticipation of the issuance of bonds hereunder, the State Bond Commission is authorized to negotiate and enter into any purchase, loan, credit or other agreement with any bank, trust company or other lending institution or to issue and sell interim notes for the purpose of making any payments authorized under this section.  All borrowings made under this provision shall be evidenced by notes of the state which shall be issued from time to time, for such amounts not exceeding the amount of bonds authorized herein, in such form and in such denomination and subject to such terms and conditions of sale and issuance, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest not to exceed the maximum rate authorized herein for bonds, and time of payment of interest as the State Bond Commission shall agree to in such agreement.  Such notes shall constitute general obligations of the state and shall be backed by the full faith and credit of the state.  Such notes may also be issued for the purpose of refunding previously issued notes.  No note shall mature more than three (3) years following the date of its issuance.  The State Bond Commission is authorized to provide for the compensation of any purchaser of the notes by payment of a fixed fee or commission and for all other costs and expenses of issuance and service, including paying agent costs.  Such costs and expenses may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

     (12)  The bonds and interim notes 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 now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds.  The necessary papers for such validation proceedings shall be transmitted to the State Bond Attorney, and the required notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

     (13)  Any bonds or interim notes issued under the provisions of this chapter, a transaction relating to the sale or securing of such bonds or interim notes, their transfer and the income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any local unit or political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting inheritance and gift taxes.

     (14)  All bonds issued under this chapter shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, 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 the state and all municipalities and other political subdivisions thereof for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

     (15)  The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall represent the State Bond Commission in issuing, selling and validating bonds herein provided for, and the Bond Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to expend from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds authorized hereunder all necessary administrative, legal and other expenses incidental and related to the issuance of bonds authorized under this chapter.

     (16)  There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Fund wherein shall be deposited the proceeds of the bonds issued under this chapter and all monies received by the authority to carry out the purposes of this chapter.  Expenditures authorized herein shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants drawn from the fund, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue warrants upon requisitions signed by the director of the authority.

     (17)  (a)  There is hereby created the Mississippi Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund from which the principal of and interest on such bonds shall be paid by appropriation.  All monies paid into the sinking fund not appropriated to pay accruing bonds and interest shall be invested by the State Treasurer in such securities as are provided by law for the investment of the sinking funds of the state.

          (b)  In the event that all or any part of the bonds and notes are purchased, they shall be cancelled and returned to the loan and transfer agent as cancelled and paid bonds and notes and thereafter all payments of interest thereon shall cease and the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, together with any other cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, shall be destroyed as promptly as possible after cancellation but not later than two (2) years after cancellation.  A certificate evidencing the destruction of the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons shall be provided by the loan and transfer agent to the seller.

          (c)  The State Treasurer shall determine and report to the Department of Finance and Administration and Legislative Budget Office by September 1 of each year the amount of money necessary for the payment of the principal of and interest on outstanding obligations for the following fiscal year and the times and amounts of the payments.  It shall be the duty of the Governor to include in every executive budget submitted to the Legislature full information relating to the issuance of bonds and notes under the provisions of this chapter and the status of the sinking fund for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds and notes.

          (d)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(hh) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund unless the State Bond Commission, at the request of the authority, shall determine that such loan repayments are needed to provide additional loans as authorized under Section 57-75-11(hh).  For purposes of providing additional loans, there is hereby created the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Revolving Loan Fund and loan repayments shall be deposited into the fund.  The fund shall be maintained for such period as determined by the State Bond Commission for the sole purpose of making additional loans as authorized by Section 57-75-11(hh).  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 on amounts in such fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

          (e)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(ii) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

          (f)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(jj) or Section 57-75-11(vv) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

     (18)  (a)  Upon receipt of a declaration by the authority that it has determined that the state is a potential site for a project, the State Bond Commission is authorized and directed to authorize the State Treasurer to borrow money from any special fund in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be utilized by the authority for the purposes provided for in this subsection.

          (b)  The proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection may be utilized by the authority for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the costs incurred by the authority with respect to acquisition options and planning, design and environmental impact studies with respect to a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix).  The authority may escalate its budget and expend the proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

          (c)  The authority shall request an appropriation or additional authority to issue general obligation bonds to repay the borrowed funds and establish a date for the repayment of the funds so borrowed.

          (d)  Borrowings made under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any one time.

     [From and after July 1, * * * 2022 2025, this section shall read as follows:]

     57-75-15.  (1)  Upon notification to the authority by the enterprise that the state has been finally selected as the site for the project, the State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized and directed, upon receipt of a declaration from the authority as hereinafter provided, to borrow money and issue general obligation bonds of the state in one or more series for the purposes herein set out.  Upon such notification, the authority may thereafter, from time to time, declare the necessity for the issuance of general obligation bonds as authorized by this section and forward such declaration to the State Bond Commission, provided that before such notification, the authority may enter into agreements with the United States government, private companies and others that will commit the authority to direct the State Bond Commission to issue bonds for eligible undertakings set out in subsection (4) of this section, conditioned on the siting of the project in the state.

     (2)  Upon receipt of any such declaration from the authority, the State Bond Commission shall verify that the state has been selected as the site of the project and shall act as the issuing agent for the series of bonds directed to be issued in such declaration pursuant to authority granted in this section.

     (3)  (a)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(i) shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount in the sum of Sixty-seven Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($67,350,000.00).

          (b)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) shall not exceed * * *Seventy‑seven Million Dollars ($77,000,000.00) Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000.00).  The authority, with the express direction of the State Bond Commission, is authorized to expend any remaining proceeds of bonds issued under the authority of this act prior to January 1, 1998, for the purpose of financing projects as then defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) or for any other projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii), as it may be amended from time to time.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph (b) until the State Bond Commission by resolution adopts a finding that the issuance of such bonds will improve, expand or otherwise enhance the military installation, its support areas or military operations, or will provide employment opportunities to replace those lost by closure or reductions in operations at the military installation or will support critical studies or investigations authorized by Section 57-75-5(f)(ii).

          (c)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iii) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 1996.

          (d)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) shall not exceed Three Hundred Fifty-one Million Dollars ($351,000,000.00).  An additional amount of bonds in an amount not to exceed Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000.00) may be issued under the authority of this section for the purpose of defraying costs associated with the construction of surface water transmission lines for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) or for any facility related to the project.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2005.

          (e)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v) and for facilities related to such projects shall not exceed Thirty-eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($38,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

          (f)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(vii) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2006.

          (g)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) shall not exceed Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2008.

          (h)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ix) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2007.

          (i)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(x) shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 1, 2005.

          (j)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) shall not exceed Thirty-three Million Dollars ($33,000,000.00).  The amount of bonds that may be issued under this paragraph for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xii) may be reduced by the amount of any federal or local funds made available for such projects.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in or near the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) in the aggregate; however, this irrevocable commitment requirement may be waived by the authority upon a finding that due to the unforeseen circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina, the local governments are unable to comply with such commitment.  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2008.

          (k)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiii) shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (l)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv) shall not exceed Twenty-four Million Dollars ($24,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph until local governments in the county in which the project is located have irrevocably committed funds to the project in an amount of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (m)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xv) shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2009.

          (n)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvi) shall not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2011.

          (o)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xvii) shall not exceed Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2010.

          (p)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii) shall not exceed Ninety-six Million Dollars ($96,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2016.

          (q)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xix) shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after June 30, 2012.

          (r)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx) shall not exceed Twenty-three Million Dollars ($23,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 25, 2013.

          (s)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) shall not exceed Two Hundred Ninety-three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($293,900,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (t)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for Tier One suppliers shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (u)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) shall not exceed Forty-eight Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($48,400,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (v)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) shall not exceed Eighty-eight Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($88,250,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2009.

          (w)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiv) shall not exceed Thirteen Million Dollars ($13,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2020.

          (x)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxv) shall not exceed Twenty-five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2017.

          (y)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvi) shall not exceed Thirty-five Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($35,100,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2021.

          (z)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after April 25, 2013.

          (aa)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxviii) shall not exceed One Hundred Thirty Million Dollars ($130,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2023.

          (bb)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) shall not exceed Two Hundred Sixty-three Million Dollars ($263,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2034.

          (cc)  Bonds issued under the authority of this section for projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxx) shall not exceed Eleven Million Dollars ($11,000,000.00).  No bonds shall be issued under this paragraph after July 1, 2025.

     (4)  (a)  The proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be applied for the following purposes:

              (i)  Defraying all or any designated portion of the costs incurred with respect to acquisition, planning, design, construction, installation, rehabilitation, improvement, relocation and with respect to state-owned property, operation and maintenance of the project and any facility related to the project located within the project area, including costs of design and engineering, all costs incurred to provide land, easements and rights-of-way, relocation costs with respect to the project and with respect to any facility related to the project located within the project area, and costs associated with mitigation of environmental impacts and environmental impact studies;

              (ii)  Defraying the cost of providing for the recruitment, screening, selection, training or retraining of employees, candidates for employment or replacement employees of the project and any related activity;

              (iii)  Reimbursing the Mississippi Development Authority for expenses it incurred in regard to projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) prior to November 6, 2000.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall submit an itemized list of expenses it incurred in regard to such projects to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

              (iv)  Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

              (v)  Paying any warranty made by the authority regarding site work for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1;

              (vi)  Defraying the cost of marketing and promotion of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1, Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii).  The authority shall submit an itemized list of costs incurred for marketing and promotion of such project to the Chairmen of the Finance and Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the Chairmen of the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives;

              (vii)  Providing for the payment of interest on the bonds;

              (viii)  Providing debt service reserves;

              (ix)  Paying underwriters' discount, original issue discount, accountants' fees, engineers' fees, attorneys' fees, rating agency fees and other fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of the bonds;

              (x)  For purposes authorized in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this subsection (4);

              (xi)  Providing grants to enterprises operating projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v), or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xii)  Providing grant funds or loans to a public agency or an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii);

              (xiii)  Providing grant funds or loans to an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv);

              (xiv)  Providing grants, loans and payments to or for the benefit of an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii);

              (xv)  Purchasing equipment for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(viii) subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers necessary and appropriate;

              (xvi)  Providing grant funds to an enterprise developing or owning a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx);

              (xvii)  Providing grants and loans for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(kk), (ll), (mm), (uu), (vv) or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xviii)  Providing grants for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(pp) for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate;

              (xix)  Providing grants and loans for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(qq);

              (xx)  Providing grants for projects as authorized in Section 57-75-11(rr);

              (xxi)  Providing grants, loans and payments as authorized in Section 57-75-11(ss);

               (xxii)  Providing loans as authorized in Section 57-75-11(tt); and

              (xxiii)  Providing grants as authorized in Section 57-75-11(ww) for any purposes deemed by the authority in its sole discretion to be necessary and appropriate.

     Such bonds shall be issued, from time to time, and in such principal amounts as shall be designated by the authority, not to exceed in aggregate principal amounts the amount authorized in subsection (3) of this section.  Proceeds from the sale of the bonds issued under this section may be invested, subject to federal limitations, pending their use, in such securities as may be specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earning on such investment applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.

          (b)  (i)  The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall not exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) in the aggregate.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(i) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

              (ii)  The proceeds of bonds issued after June 21, 2002, under this section for projects described in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 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 from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  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 (b)(ii) shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the aggregate.  Reimbursements under this paragraph (b)(ii) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

          (c)  (i)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceeds of bonds issued under this section for a project described in Section 57-75-5(f) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Mississippi Development Authority in providing assistance related to the project for which funding is provided for the use of proceeds of such bonds.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall maintain an accounting of actual costs incurred for each project for which reimbursements are sought.  Reimbursements under this paragraph shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project.

              (ii)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceeds of bonds issued under this section for a project described in Section 57-75-5(f) may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Audit in providing services related to the project for which funding is provided from the use of proceeds of such bonds.  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 Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each project.  Reimbursements under this paragraph shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

     (5)  The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable in the manner hereinafter set forth.  The bonds shall bear date or dates; be in such denomination or denominations; bear interest at such rate or rates; be payable at such place or places within or without the state; mature absolutely at such time or times; 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 State Bond Commission except that such bonds shall mature or otherwise be retired in annual installments beginning not more than five (5) years from the date thereof and extending not more than twenty-five (25) years from the date thereof.  The bonds 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 imprinted on or affixed thereto, attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Secretary of the State Bond Commission.  Whenever any such bonds have been signed by the officials herein 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 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 the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.

     (6)  All bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be and are hereby declared to 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 chapter, the State Bond Commission shall not be required to and need not comply with the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code.

     (7)  The State Bond Commission shall act as issuing agent for the bonds, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds on sealed bids at public sale, 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 the bonds.  The State Bond Commission may sell such bonds on sealed bids at public sale 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 date of delivery of the bonds to the purchaser.  The bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the limits set forth in Section 75-17-101 as shall be fixed by the State Bond Commission.  All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually; provided that the first interest payment may be for any period of not more than one (1) year.

     Notice of the sale of any bonds shall be published at least one time, the first of which shall be made not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of sale, and shall be so published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, selected by the State Bond Commission.

     The State Bond Commission, when issuing any bonds under the authority of this section, may provide that the bonds, at the option of the state, 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)  State bonds issued under the provisions of this section shall be the general obligations of the state and backed by the full faith and credit of the state.  The Legislature shall appropriate annually an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as they become due.  All bonds shall contain recitals on their faces substantially covering the foregoing provisions of this section.

     (9)  The State Treasurer is authorized 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 payable out of any funds appropriated by the Legislature under this section for such purpose, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under the provisions of this section.  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.

     (10)  The bonds 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 chapter.  Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of this section 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.

     (11)  In anticipation of the issuance of bonds hereunder, the State Bond Commission is authorized to negotiate and enter into any purchase, loan, credit or other agreement with any bank, trust company or other lending institution or to issue and sell interim notes for the purpose of making any payments authorized under this section.  All borrowings made under this provision shall be evidenced by notes of the state which shall be issued from time to time, for such amounts not exceeding the amount of bonds authorized herein, in such form and in such denomination and subject to such terms and conditions of sale and issuance, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest not to exceed the maximum rate authorized herein for bonds, and time of payment of interest as the State Bond Commission shall agree to in such agreement.  Such notes shall constitute general obligations of the state and shall be backed by the full faith and credit of the state.  Such notes may also be issued for the purpose of refunding previously issued notes.  No note shall mature more than three (3) years following the date of its issuance.  The State Bond Commission is authorized to provide for the compensation of any purchaser of the notes by payment of a fixed fee or commission and for all other costs and expenses of issuance and service, including paying agent costs.  Such costs and expenses may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

     (12)  The bonds and interim notes 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 now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds.  The necessary papers for such validation proceedings shall be transmitted to the State Bond Attorney, and the required notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

     (13)  Any bonds or interim notes issued under the provisions of this chapter, a transaction relating to the sale or securing of such bonds or interim notes, their transfer and the income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any local unit or political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting inheritance and gift taxes.

     (14)  All bonds issued under this chapter shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, 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 the state and all municipalities and other political subdivisions thereof for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.

     (15)  The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall represent the State Bond Commission in issuing, selling and validating bonds herein provided for, and the Bond Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to expend from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds authorized hereunder all necessary administrative, legal and other expenses incidental and related to the issuance of bonds authorized under this chapter.

     (16)  There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Fund wherein shall be deposited the proceeds of the bonds issued under this chapter and all monies received by the authority to carry out the purposes of this chapter.  Expenditures authorized herein shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants drawn from the fund, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue warrants upon requisitions signed by the director of the authority.

     (17)  (a)  There is hereby created the Mississippi Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund from which the principal of and interest on such bonds shall be paid by appropriation.  All monies paid into the sinking fund not appropriated to pay accruing bonds and interest shall be invested by the State Treasurer in such securities as are provided by law for the investment of the sinking funds of the state.

          (b)  In the event that all or any part of the bonds and notes are purchased, they shall be cancelled and returned to the loan and transfer agent as cancelled and paid bonds and notes and thereafter all payments of interest thereon shall cease and the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, together with any other cancelled bonds, notes and coupons, shall be destroyed as promptly as possible after cancellation but not later than two (2) years after cancellation.  A certificate evidencing the destruction of the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons shall be provided by the loan and transfer agent to the seller.

          (c)  The State Treasurer shall determine and report to the Department of Finance and Administration and Legislative Budget Office by September 1 of each year the amount of money necessary for the payment of the principal of and interest on outstanding obligations for the following fiscal year and the times and amounts of the payments.  It shall be the duty of the Governor to include in every executive budget submitted to the Legislature full information relating to the issuance of bonds and notes under the provisions of this chapter and the status of the sinking fund for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds and notes.

          (d)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(hh) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund unless the State Bond Commission, at the request of the authority, shall determine that such loan repayments are needed to provide additional loans as authorized under Section 57-75-11(hh).  For purposes of providing additional loans, there is hereby created the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Revolving Loan Fund and loan repayments shall be deposited into the fund.  The fund shall be maintained for such period as determined by the State Bond Commission for the sole purpose of making additional loans as authorized by Section 57-75-11(hh).  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 on amounts in such fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

          (e)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(ii) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

          (f)  Any monies repaid to the state from loans authorized in Section 57-75-11(jj) or Section 57-75-11(vv) shall be deposited into the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Sinking Fund.

     (18)  (a)  Upon receipt of a declaration by the authority that it has determined that the state is a potential site for a project, the State Bond Commission is authorized and directed to authorize the State Treasurer to borrow money from any special fund in the State Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be utilized by the authority for the purposes provided for in this subsection.

          (b)  The proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection may be utilized by the authority for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the costs incurred by the authority with respect to acquisition options and planning, design and environmental impact studies with respect to a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix).  The authority may escalate its budget and expend the proceeds of the money borrowed under this subsection in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

          (c)  The authority shall request an appropriation or additional authority to issue general obligation bonds to repay the borrowed funds and establish a date for the repayment of the funds so borrowed.

          (d)  Borrowings made under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) at any one time.

     SECTION 21.  Section 65-4-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     65-4-25.  The Mississippi Development Authority, acting through its executive director, is authorized, at one time or from time to time, to declare by resolution the necessity for issuance of negotiable general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to provide funds for the Economic Development Highway Fund established in Section 65-4-15, Mississippi Code of 1972.  Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by Sections 65-4-25 through 65-4-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, the executive director shall deliver a certified copy of his resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission.  Upon receipt of the resolution, the State Bond Commission, in its discretion, shall 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 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 principal amount of bonds issued under Sections 65-4-25 through 65-4-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall not exceed * * *Three Hundred Ninety‑one Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($391,500,000.00) Three Hundred Ninety-eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($398,500,000.00) in the aggregate.  However, an additional amount of bonds may be issued under Sections 65-4-25 through 65-4-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, in an amount not to exceed Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00), and the proceeds of any such additional bonds issued shall be used to provide funding for a high economic benefit project as defined in Section 65-4-5(1)(c)(vi), Mississippi Code of 1972.  An additional amount of bonds may be issued under Sections 65-4-25 through 65-4-45, in an amount not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), the proceeds of which shall be used to provide funding for a high economic benefit project as defined in Section 65-4-5(1)(c)(v).

     SECTION 22.  Section 25, Chapter 533, Laws of 2010, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 30, Laws of 2010 Second Extraordinary Session, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 301, Laws of 2011, as amended by Section 6, Chapter 480, Laws of 2011, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 1, Laws of 2011 First Extraordinary Session, as amended by Section 8, Chapter 421, Laws of 2019, as amended by Section 14, Chapter 480, Laws of 2021, is amended as follows:

     Section 25.  (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.

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

     (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 program authorized in Section 57-1-221.  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 * * * Four Hundred Sixty‑eight Million Dollars ($468,000,000.00) Five Hundred Fourteen Million Dollars ($514,000,000.00).  No bonds authorized under this section shall be issued after July 1, 2025.

          (b)  The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 57-1-221.  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.

     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.

     (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 Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund created in Section 57-1-221.  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 23.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2022.