MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Economic and Workforce Development

By: Senator(s) Parker, Butler (36th)

Senate Bill 2595

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-153-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REPEALER ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT GRANT FUNDS SHALL BE AVAILABLE UNDER THE ACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, OR ON THE DATE OF THE FUND EXPENDITURE DEADLINE PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICHEVER OCCURS LATER; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH GRANT RECIPIENT SHALL CERTIFY, FOR ANY PROJECT FOR WHICH A GRANT IS AWARDED, THAT IF THE PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 31, 2026, AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS DOES NOT ENACT AN EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ARPA FUNDS, THEN THE GRANT RECIPIENT WILL COMPLETE THE PROJECT THROUGH OTHER FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-153-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-153-63. * * *This article shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026  Grant funds shall be available under this act through December 31, 2026, or on the date of the fund expenditure deadline provided by the federal government, whichever occurs later.  Each grant recipient shall certify, for any project for which a grant is awarded, that if the project is not completed by December 31, 2026, and the United States Congress does not enact an extension of the deadline on the availability of ARPA funds, then the grant recipient will complete the project through other funds.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.