House Bill 4127

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF GAUTIER, MISSISSIPPI, TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL, INC., D/B/A MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITERS' ALLIANCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITERS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND RECORDING STUDIO AND TO PROVIDE THE MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL, INC., D/B/A MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITERS ALLIANCE WITH ANNUAL FUNDING UP TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONAL COSTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context in which they are used:

(a) "City" means the City of Gautier, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and the City Council of the city.

(c) "Alliance" means the Mississippi Songwriters' Festival, Inc., d/b/a Mississippi Songwriters Alliance, a nonprofit organization.

(d) "Mississippi Songwriters Performing Arts Center and Recording Studio" means a performing arts center and recording studio owned by the City of Gautier, which will be constructed on the former Singing River Mall site.

SECTION 2. The city, acting through its governing authorities, is authorized and empowered to enter into a contract with the Alliance to manage and operate the Mississippi Songwriters Performing Arts Center and Recording Studio and to pay the Alliance consideration for such services as determined reasonable in the discretion of the governing authorities.

SECTION 3. The city, in its sole discretion and acting through its governing authorities, is authorized and empowered to provide the Alliance with funding, on an annual basis, in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) for educational programming and operational costs associated with carrying out the mission and goals of the Alliance.

SECTION 4. This act shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of power granted under this act and shall not be in derogation of any existing law of this state but shall be considered additional, supplemental and alternative to any other authority granted by law.

SECTION 5. This act shall be repealed from and after July 1, 2028.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.