Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-7 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 26 / Section 27-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-7
Status: in_force

(1) The travel and tourism department of the board is hereby authorized, upon approval of the board, to make grants, from funds specifically appropriated for such purposes, to regional tourist promotion councils to assist such councils in the financing of promotional and advertising programs and to encourage and stimulate tourist travel and vacation business within the region. Provided, that before any such grant may be made, the regional tourist promotional council shall have made application to the board for such grant, and shall have set forth therein the promotion and advertising program and project, or projects, proposed to be undertaken for the purpose of encouraging and stimulating the tourist travel and vacation business within the region. The application shall further state, under oath or affirmation, the amount of funds held by or committed or subscribed to the regional tourist promotion council for application to the purposes herein described and the amount of the grant for which application is made.

(2) The board, after review of the application, if satisfied that the program of the regional tourist promotion council appears to be in accord with the purposes of this chapter, shall authorize the making of a matching grant to such regional tourist promotion council equal to the funds of the council allocated by it to the program described in the application; provided, however, that the state grant shall not exceed an amount equal to the total amount apportioned to the region as outlined herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-85-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 79 / Section 85-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-85-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Rural Impact Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-19 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 32 / Section 55-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-19
Status: in_force

The said board of trustees shall provide for such housing, equipment, personnel, supplies and services as it shall determine to be necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of the research institutions established by this chapter, having due regard for the contributory facilities and programs already existing at the various universities. In addition to appropriations made by the Mississippi legislature for the operation and support of the research institutions, the said board of trustees is authorized and empowered to receive contributions, donations, gifts and grants of money or other income and/or property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations and other sources, to be expended by said board in carrying out the objectives of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-9 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-9
Status: in_force

The responsibilities and duties of the council shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) To recommend state nuclear waste policy to the board and advise the board on any matters relating to state nuclear waste policy, including matters to be addressed in memorandums of understanding and other agreements with the federal department of energy.

(b) To recommend legislative proposals related to nuclear waste for consideration by the state legislature.

(c) To review all data, plans, conclusions and other documents produced by the federal department of energy, which relate to any phase of high-level nuclear waste programs or activities.

(d) To hear and evaluate public comment and make recommendations based thereon to the board and the state legislature.

(e) To advise the board on socio-economic issues which impact on affected areas as a result of activities proposed or conducted under the authority of this chapter.

(f) To critically review and comment on any socio-economic impact statements, studies, or lack of such, and transportation risks and concerns.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-257 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 5 / Section 10-257
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-257
Status: in_force

The bonds issued by and under the authority of this article by the company are declared to be legal investments in which all public officers or public bodies of the state, its political subdivisions, all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on insurance business, all banks, bankers, banking associations, trust companies, savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons who are now or may later be authorized to invest in bonds or in other obligations of the state, may invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are also hereby made securities which may be deposited with and received by all public officers and bodies of the state or any agency or political subdivision of the state and all municipalities and public corporations for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of the state is now or may be later authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-31-27 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 21 / Section 31-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-31-27
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-87-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 71 / Section 87-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-87-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that the long-standing telecommunications policy of this state has been to ensure that all citizens have access to telephone service. The increasing reliance upon access to computer information services for jobs, housing and other necessities requires that this concept be broadened to include high-speed access to the Internet as well.

(2) The Legislature further finds that the ability of the citizens in all parts of this state to access the Internet, also known as the information superhighway, is an important component in the ability of the state to remain competitive in the fields of business and education, as well as the ability of government to provide services to these people both now and in the future. The ability of the citizens of Mississippi to access the full potential of the Internet is predicated on having the most advanced telecommunications infrastructure - the backbone to the information superhighway.

(3) The Legislature further finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to provide incentives for “telecommunications enterprises” (as defined in Section 57-73-21 (14) ) to invest in the infrastructure needed to provide broadband technology throughout the state to keep this state competitive and to promote economic development within the state.

(4) The Legislature further finds that despite the significant growth of computer ownership and usage, the growth has occurred to a greater extent within developed areas within this state, thereby leading to what has been termed a “digital divide” between Tier One areas within the state and areas within this state that are Tier Two and Tier Three areas (as such areas are designated in accordance with Section 57-73-21(1) ).

(5) The Legislature further finds that it is in the public interest for people living in Tier Two areas and people living in Tier Three areas of the state to have high-speed access to the Internet and to adequate technology, infrastructure and advanced telecommunications service.

(6) The Legislature further finds and declares that additional incentives are warranted to encourage telecommunications enterprises to invest in the infrastructure needed to provide broadband technology in Tier Two and Tier Three areas of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-79-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 67 / Section 79-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-79-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Small Town Development Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-23 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 44-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-23
Status: in_force

Upon the issuance and sale of bonds under the provisions of Sections 57-44-11 through 57-44-39 , the State Bond Commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to the special fund created in Section 57-44-7 . The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the Department of Economic and Community Development under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-87-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 69 / Section 87-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-87-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that the long-standing telecommunications policy of this state has been to ensure that all citizens have access to telephone service. The increasing reliance upon access to computer information services for jobs, housing and other necessities requires that this concept be broadened to include high-speed access to the Internet as well.

(2) The Legislature further finds that the ability of the citizens in all parts of this state to access the Internet, also known as the information superhighway, is an important component in the ability of the state to remain competitive in the fields of business and education, as well as the ability of government to provide services to these people both now and in the future. The ability of the citizens of Mississippi to access the full potential of the Internet is predicated on having the most advanced telecommunications infrastructure - the backbone to the information superhighway.

(3) The Legislature further finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to provide incentives for “telecommunications enterprises” (as defined in Section 57-73-21 (14) ) to invest in the infrastructure needed to provide broadband technology throughout the state to keep this state competitive and to promote economic development within the state.

(4) The Legislature further finds that despite the significant growth of computer ownership and usage, the growth has occurred to a greater extent within developed areas within this state, thereby leading to what has been termed a “digital divide” between Tier One areas within the state and areas within this state that are Tier Two and Tier Three areas (as such areas are designated in accordance with Section 57-73-21(1) ).

(5) The Legislature further finds that it is in the public interest for people living in Tier Two areas and people living in Tier Three areas of the state to have high-speed access to the Internet and to adequate technology, infrastructure and advanced telecommunications service.

(6) The Legislature further finds and declares that additional incentives are warranted to encourage telecommunications enterprises to invest in the infrastructure needed to provide broadband technology in Tier Two and Tier Three areas of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-121-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 77 / Section 121-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-121-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “ COVID-19 ” means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(b) “ CARES Act ” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

(c) “ Eligible business ” means a for-profit corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership or a sole proprietorship that:

(i) Was domestic as of March 1, 2020;

(ii) Is in good standing with the Secretary of State, if applicable;

(iii) Suffered an interruption of business;

(iv) Has a controlling interest owned by one or more Mississippi residents, whether individual resident citizens or Mississippi domestic business entities;

(v) Filed Mississippi taxes for tax year 2018 or 2019, or, for an eligible business formed on or after January 1, 2020, intends to file Mississippi taxes for tax year 2020, unless exempt under Section 27-7-29 , Section 27-13-63 or other applicable provision of law;

(vi) Has customers or employees coming to its physical premises, conducts business on customer premises, or has an owner who is an active participant in the day-to-day operations of the business;

(vii) Had no more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent employees as of March 1, 2020;

(viii) Is not a subsidiary of a business with more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent employees, is not part of a larger business enterprise with more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent employees and is not owned by a business with more than fifty (50) full-time equivalent employees;

(ix) Does not exist for the purpose of advancing partisan political activities, does not directly lobby federal or state officials as provided in Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-23 , and has not employed or otherwise worked with a lobbyist as defined in Section 5-8-3 in any way at any point during 2020; and

(x) Does not derive income from passive investments without active participation in business operations.

(d) “ Interruption of business ” means disruption of regular business operations resulting from required or voluntary closure related to COVID-19.

(e) “ Public health measure ” means any action reasonably taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

(f) “ Eligible expense ” means a cost incurred by an eligible business for public health measures or due to interruption of business. Eligible expenses due to interruption of business may consist only of mortgage interest, rent, payroll and utilities, or other COVID-19-related expenses allowed by law, each for no more than a two-month period. Eligible expenses shall not include lost profits. No cost will be considered an eligible expense if found to be ineligible under the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.

(g) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(h) “ Grant ” means an award by the MDA to an eligible business to cover eligible expenses in accordance with this chapter.

(i) “ Program ” means the Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program established in this chapter.

(j) “ Minority business enterprise ” means a socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern performing a commercially useful function which is owned and controlled by one or more minorities or minority business enterprises certified by the Mississippi Development Authority, at least fifty percent (50%) of whom are resident citizens of the State of Mississippi. Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this chapter, the term “socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under the Small Business Act, 15 USC Section 637(a) , or women, and the term “ owned and controlled ” means a business in which one or more minorities or minority business enterprises certified by the Mississippi Development Authority own sixty percent (60%) or, in the case of a corporation, sixty percent (60%) of the voting stock, and control sixty percent (60%) of the management and daily business operations of the business.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-35 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 61-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-35
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise authorized in Section 7-5-39 , the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall represent the seller in issuing, selling and validating bonds herein provided for, and the seller 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-31-23 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 7 / Section 31-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-31-23
Status: in_force

The revenues, rents, and earnings derived from any project, or any and all revenues, rents, and earnings received by the authority unless necessary for operation, maintenance or repair of the project or unless otherwise pledged and allocated, may be pledged and allocated by the authority to the payment of the principal of and interest on the revenue bonds of the authority as the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds may provide, and such pledge may include funds received from one or more or all sources and shall be set aside at regular intervals into a sinking fund, which sinking fund shall be pledged to and charged with the payment of:

(a) The interest upon such revenue bonds as such interest shall accrue.

(b) The principal of the bonds as the same shall become due.

(c) The necessary charges of the paying agent or paying agents for paying principal and interest of and on such bonds.

The use and disposition of such sinking fund shall be subject to such regulations as may be provided in the resolution authorizing any issue of revenue bonds. Subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds, surplus moneys in the sinking fund may be applied to the purchase or redemption of any of such bonds, and any such bonds so purchased or redeemed shall forthwith be cancelled and shall not again be issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-13 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 31 / Section 39-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-13
Status: in_force

Hearings shall be open to the public and shall be held upon such call or notice as the board shall deem advisable, in compliance with and as directed by federal and state statutes. The chairman, vice chairman or employee of the board designated by it to hold any inquiry, investigation or hearing shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations and certify to all official acts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-41-9 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 40 / Section 41-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-41-9
Status: in_force

All notes issued by a municipality under authority of this chapter shall be limited obligations of the municipality, the principal of, redemption premium, if any, and interest on which shall be payable solely from revenues received by the municipality pursuant to the loan agreement or pursuant to notes and deeds of trust delivered to the municipality and from such other funds as may be made available to the municipality for such purpose by the terms of the trust agreement. Notes issued under authority of this chapter shall never constitute an indebtedness of the municipality within the meaning of any state constitutional provision or statutory limitation, and shall never constitute nor give rise to a pecuniary liability of the municipality or a charge against its general credit or taxing powers, and such fact shall be plainly stated on the face of each such note. The notes shall not be considered when computing any limitation of indebtedness of the municipality established by law. All notes issued under the authority of this chapter shall be construed to be negotiable instruments, despite the fact that they are payable solely from a specified source.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-103-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 77 / Section 103-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-103-3
Status: in_force

(1) There is established under the direction of the Innovate Mississippi (“IMS”) a program to be known as the “Proof of Concept Loan Program” for the purpose of making assistance available to provide working capital to support the initial capitalization of technology-based businesses in Mississippi.

(2)(a) In order to be eligible for assistance under the program, a business must: (i) have its principal place of business based in Mississippi, and be a startup business, (ii) have rights to the intellectual property supporting the venture opportunity for which assistance is requested, (iii) demonstrate compelling evidence for rapid growth and high performance potential, (iv) be invited by IMS to apply for assistance based upon an agreeable scope of work.

(b) Any business desiring to participate in the program must submit an application to IMS. The application must contain a description of the purposes for which the assistance is requested, the amount of assistance requested and any other information requested by IMS. If IMS staff reviewing the application determines that an application should be reviewed by the Seed Fund Investment Board appointed by IMS Board of Directors, the application shall be forwarded to the Seed Fund Investment Board. If the Seed Fund Investment Board approves the application, IMS shall negotiate a contract with the business regarding any assistance provided to the business under the program, the expenditure of the assistance provided to the business, and any other matters to which the parties may agree. Any such contract must provide for at least the following: (i) that any assistance provided to the business will be on a reimbursement basis in which the business will expend funds according to the terms of the contract and submit invoices, receipts and other applicable documentation and information to IMS for reimbursement; (ii) that no funds may be expended or used for patent prosecution, reorganization of the business, or payment of any existing debt of the business outstanding or otherwise incurred at the time the contract is entered into; (iii) that no funds may be expended to reimburse expenses for work conducted or services provided by the business, a university or a third-party consultant if those expenses were incurred before the term of the contract; (iv) that the business receiving assistance will retain ownership of any technology developed by the business regardless of whether the technology is developed before or after the receipt of assistance; and (v) that the business will provide matching funding of One Dollar ($1.00) for every One Dollar ($1.00) of assistance, with at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the match being in cash and the remaining amount being from in-kind services, all of which must be documented by time sheets, payroll receipts, invoices and other documentation or information required by IMS. Assistance received by a business may be expended for hiring third-party consultants to assist the business and for equipment. The amount of assistance that a business may receive under the program shall not exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and any award of assistance shall be made on a onetime basis.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a business receiving assistance under the program shall be required to repay the assistance in the manner provided in this paragraph. Repayment shall be made through the use of a nonrecourse loan in which the business will repay the loan upon the successful commercialization of the product or service. The business will repay one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of assistance received if such repayment is made within thirty-six (36) months from the date the assistance is received, with the amount to be repaid by the business increasing at a rate determined by the parties in the contract up to an amount not to exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the amount of assistance if such repayment is made later than thirty-six (36) months from the date the assistance is received but not later than sixty (60) months from the date the assistance is received. Amounts received as repayments shall be deposited into the special fund created in subsection (3) of this section. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, if the business receiving assistance fails to meet certain financial performance levels established in the contract between the business and IMS and the contract does not activate any repayment provisions, then IMS will deem the assistance provided to be a loss and the business receiving assistance shall not be required to repay the assistance received.

(3) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund, to be designated as the “Mississippi Proof of Concept Loan Program Fund,” which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature. 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 shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Mississippi Development Authority, to provide funds to IMS for the purposes described in this section, or for the purposes described in Sections 57-103-1 , 57-103-5 and/or 57-103-7 if IMS determines that the funds are not needed for the purposes described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-15-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-15-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby declares that this chapter is being enacted under the state's inherent general welfare and police power authority for the broad purposes hereinafter set forth in an effort to explore, develop, conserve and market the underwater natural resources of this state, particularly those lying offshore in the coastal waters of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-34-15 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 32 / Section 34-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-34-15
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or the application thereof to any agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this chapter and the applicability thereof to any other agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this chapter be reasonably and liberally construed so as to accomplish the purposes set forth in Section 57-34-3 of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 30 / Section 39-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-11
Status: in_force

The division shall be tasked with developing, implementing and refining over time the Mississippi Energy Plan. The Mississippi Energy Plan shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Efforts to promote Mississippi as a leader in energy development, job creation and research;

(b) Plans to encourage the safe and responsible exploration and extraction of the state's natural resources;

(c) Plans to add value and sustain resources through advances in manufacturing, conversion, and processing related to energy consumption and generation;

(d) Expanding energy capacity and realizing savings through energy efficiency;

(e) Encourage investments in the energy infrastructure of transmission and distribution to maintain the state's leadership in this area;

(f) Plans to ensure the state competes in technology-based energy economic development, research and development, and commercialization;

(g) Prepare a twenty-first century energy workforce;

(h) Statewide forecasts of energy needs and deficiencies;

(i) A program for directing the expenditure of local, state and federal energy funds in conformity with the statewide plan;

(j) Statewide implementation program, including a schedule of improvement programs, an operations program, a financial plan, necessary policies and legislation for implementation of the energy plan; and

(k) Financial impact statement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-21 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 21 / Section 39-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-39-21
Status: repealed

(1) The Mississippi Development Authority, in consultation with other appropriate professional groups and organizations, and others knowledgeable in the subject, shall review, amend and adopt, in accordance with Standard 90.1-2016 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, energy code standards for building construction, standards for computer-based energy management systems, standards for systems for cogeneration of heating, cooling and electricity, and standards for design to use passive solar energy concepts, in order to promote the efficient use of energy. For the purposes of this section, “ building ” shall mean any structure which includes provisions for a heating or cooling system, or both, or for a hot water system, except exempted buildings. Unless it is an exempted building, each of the following are examples of buildings, within the meaning of this section:

(a) Any building which provides facilities or shelter for public assembly, or which is used for educational, office or institutional purposes;

(b) Any inn, hotel, motel, sports arena, supermarket, transportation terminal, retail store, restaurant or other commercial establishment which provides service or retail merchandise;

(c) Any portion of an industrial plant building used primarily as office space; and

(d) Any building owned by a state or political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, including libraries, museums, schools, hospitals, auditoriums, sports arenas and university buildings.

(2) Exempt buildings shall include:

(a) Buildings and structures or portions thereof whose peak design rate of energy usage is less than three and four-tenths (3.4) British thermal units per hour per square foot or one (1.0) watt per square foot of floor area for all purposes;

(b) Buildings and structures or portions thereof which are neither heated nor cooled by fuel;

(c) Any mobile home;

(d) Any privately owned, noncommercial building or structure whose construction, heating, cooling or lighting arrangement is not in conflict with federal law;

(e) Any building owned or leased, in whole or in part, by the United States government.

(3) Beginning July 1, 2013, the design, direction, construction and alteration of any building for which the standards promulgated pursuant to subsection (1) of this section applies shall be accomplished so that the building or applicable portions thereof shall meet or conform to the standards. The Mississippi Development Authority shall not have enforcement over this section. Local governing authorities shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section and such penalties for violations of this section as they deem appropriate, except in regard to buildings owned by the state. In state-owned buildings, the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, shall provide for the compliance with the standards adopted under this chapter. Local governing authorities are authorized to adopt rules and regulations as developed and promulgated by the department for the administration and enforcement of these standards and to adopt such penalties for violations of the standards as they deem appropriate. Local governing authorities are authorized to establish an inspection fee for the inspection of thermal and lighting standards in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00).

(4) This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2026.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-31 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 32 / Section 49-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-31
Status: in_force

(1) The board shall negotiate separate agreements with the federal department of energy concerning different stages of the process of evaluating and selecting a site for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste. The board shall negotiate a separate agreement with the federal department of energy for the final states of the selection of any site for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste.

(2) Any agreement negotiated by the board with the federal department of energy under section 57-49-29 shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) A specification of those procedures:

(i) By which the state may study, determine, comment on, and make recommendations with regard to the possible public health and safety, environmental, social, and economic impacts of any such facility for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste;

(ii) By which the secretary of energy shall consider and respond to comments and recommendations made by the state, including the period in which the secretary shall so respond;

(iii) By which the secretary of energy and the state may review and/or modify the agreement periodically;

(iv) By which the state is to submit an impact report and request for impact assistance;

(v) By which the secretary of energy shall assist the state and the units of general local government in the vicinity of the site under consideration for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste, in resolving the offsite concerns of the state and units of general local government, including, but not limited to, questions of state liability arising from accidents, necessary road upgrading and access to the site, ongoing emergency preparedness and emergency response, monitoring of transportation of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel through the state, conduct of baseline health studies of inhabitants in neighboring communities near the site and reasonable periodic monitoring thereafter, and monitoring of said site upon any decommissioning and decontamination;

(vi) By which the secretary of energy shall consult and cooperate with the state on a regular, ongoing basis and provide for an orderly process and timely schedule for state review and evaluation, including identification in the agreement of key events, milestones, and decision points in the activities of the secretary of energy at the potential site;

(vii) By which the secretary of energy shall notify the state prior to the transportation of any high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel into or through the state;

(viii) By which the state may conduct reasonable independent monitoring and testing of activities on the site, except that such monitoring and testing shall not unreasonably interfere with or delay onsite activities;

(ix) For sharing, in accordance with applicable law, of all technical and licensing information, the utilization of available expertise, the facilitating of permit procedures, joint project review, and the formulation of joint surveillance and monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable federal and state laws;

(x) For public notification of the procedures specified under the preceding subparagraphs; and

(xi) For resolving objections of the state at any state of the planning, siting and development of any facility for the long-term or temporary storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste within the state.

(b) The criteria that the federal department of energy shall use in evaluating the suitability of any site in the state for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste;

(c) A requirement that the federal department of energy shall comply with all federal laws, state laws and local ordinances and shall respect state sovereignty consistent with the United States Constitution and the Tenth Amendment, regardless of the ownership of the land on which the activity takes place;

(d) A requirement that the federal department of energy and any of its contractors or subcontractors shall provide the board with all reports and documents the board requests and any other relevant reports and documents in a timely manner and in accordance with any applicable law, regulation or rule. The requirement shall specify that the federal department of energy may not charge a fee for searching for or for supplying reports and documents requested by the board. The requirement shall specify that the federal department of energy shall provide the board with all reports and documents the board requests and any other relevant reports and documents from contractors and subcontractors after the reports and documents are submitted to the federal department of energy regardless of whether the reports and documents have received the final approval of the department of energy;

(e) A requirement that, upon request by the board, the federal department of energy shall provide the data, methods and underlying assumptions used in the preparation of reports and documents in accordance with any applicable law, regulation or rule;

(f) A requirement that the federal department of energy shall notify the board of any grants related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste from the federal department of energy to any person in this state;

(g) A requirement that the federal department of energy shall notify the board in a timely manner of any proposed field work, on-site evaluation, on-site testing or similar activities it or any contractor or subcontractor intends to conduct and a requirement that the federal department of energy shall allow the board to monitor these activities by any appropriate means;

(h) A requirement that the federal department of energy shall provide the board in a timely manner with a copy of any requests for proposals and final contracts issued by the federal department of energy relating to the evaluation, selection or construction of a site for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste in this state;

(i) A provision that the federal department of energy shall agree to provide funds to be used to provide educational programs as set forth in section 117 of P.L. 97-425 , and to review the activities of the federal department of energy and its contractors and subcontractors which relate to assessing the suitability of the site(s) for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste;

(j) A requirement that the federal department of energy and the board shall identify impacts associated with studies related to the characterization of an area or site(s) for its potential as a repository or the impacts associated with the development of a site as a repository for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste and that the federal department of energy will provide a mechanism to mitigate those impacts;

(k) A requirement that if the federal department of energy selects a site in the state for construction of a repository for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste, the federal department of energy shall prepare, prior to submission of an application to license or construct the repository, a repository plan which shall include descriptions of the federal department of energy's plans for construction of the repository, transportation of wastes to the repository, operation of the repository, closing of the repository and monitoring the repository after closure;

(l) A requirement that the location of any site for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive or transuranic waste shall not be in a highly populated area.

(3) Any agreement negotiated by the board with the federal department of energy under Section 57-49-29 shall include a provision which acknowledges the authority of the governor or the legislature to object to the selection of a site within this state for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste.

(4) Any agreement negotiated by the board with the federal department of energy shall be in compliance with the requirements or standards prescribed in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-54 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-54
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Development Authority shall be the Department of Economic and Community Development and shall retain all powers and duties granted by law to the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development and wherever the term “ Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development ,” “ Department of Economic and Community Development ,” “ Mississippi Department of Economic Development ” or “ Department of Economic Development ” appears in any law the same shall mean the Mississippi Development Authority. The Mississippi Development Authority may continue to refer to itself as the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development for as long as it may deem necessary. The Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority may assign to the appropriate divisions such powers and duties as he deems appropriate to carry out its lawful duties.

Nothing in the Mississippi Executive Reorganization Act of 1989 [Laws, 1989, Chapter 544] shall be construed to eliminate or change in any manner the duties, functions or operations of the planning and development districts heretofore created by executive order of the Governor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-17 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 73 / Section 75-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-17
Status: in_force

(1) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, design, undertaking and carrying out of the project or any facility related to the project, any public agency is authorized and empowered upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine:

(a) To enter into agreements, which may extend over any period, with the authority respecting action to be taken by such public agency with respect to the acquisition, planning, construction, improvement, operation, maintenance or funding of the project or any such facility, and which agreements may include:

(i) The appropriation or payment of funds to the authority or to a trustee in amounts which shall be sufficient to enable the authority to defray any designated portion or percentage of the expenses of administering, planning, designing, constructing, acquiring, improving, operating, and maintaining the project or any facility related to the project,

(ii) The appropriation or payment of funds to the authority or to a trustee to pay interest and principal (whether at maturity or upon sinking fund redemption) on bonds of the authority issued pursuant to this act and to fund reserves for debt service, for operation and maintenance and for renewals and replacements, and to fulfill requirements of any covenant with respect to debt service contained in any resolution, trust indenture or other security agreement relating to the bonds of the authority issued pursuant to this act,

(iii) The furnishing of other assistance in connection with the project or facility related to the project, and

(iv) The borrowing of money from the authority in connection with a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) ;

(b) To dedicate, sell, donate, convey or lease any property or interest in property to the authority or grant easements, licenses or other rights or privileges therein to the authority;

(c) To incur the expense of any public improvements made or to be made by such public agency in exercising the powers granted in this section;

(d) To lend, grant or contribute funds to the authority;

(e) To cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational areas, community meeting facilities, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished to or with respect to the project or any such facility;

(f) To furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, upgrade or improve highways, streets, roads, sidewalks, airports, railroads, or ports;

(g) To plan or replan, zone or rezone any parcel of land within the public agency or make exceptions from land use, building and zoning regulations;

(h) To cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the authority, including services pertaining to the acquisition of real property and the furnishing of relocation assistance; and

(i) To loan to the owner, lessee or operator of any project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) the proceeds of any loan from the authority to the public entity under the provisions of this act.

(2) Any contract between a public agency entered into with the authority pursuant to any of the powers granted by this act shall be binding upon said public agency according to its terms, and such public agency shall have the power to enter into such contracts as in the discretion of the governing authorities thereof would be to the best interest of the people of such public agency. Such contracts may include within the discretion of such governing authorities of public agencies defined under Section 57-75-5(h)(ii) a pledge of the full faith and credit of such public agency or any other lawfully available funds for the performance thereof. If at any time title to or possession of the project or any such facility is held by any public body or governmental agency other than the authority, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the agreements referred to in this section shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency.

(3) Notwithstanding any provisions of this act to the contrary, any contract entered into between the authority and any public agency for the appropriation or payment of funds to the authority under item (a)(ii) or (a)(iv) of this section shall contain a provision therein requiring periodic payments by the public agency as required by the authority to pay its indebtedness and, if the public agency is not a county or municipality, such contract shall include as an additional party to the contract the county or municipality (referred to in this paragraph as “levying authority”) that levies and collects taxes for the contracting public agency. If the public agency fails to pay its indebtedness for any month, the authority shall certify to the Department of Revenue, or other appropriate agency, the amount of the delinquency, and the Department of Revenue shall deduct such amount from the public agency's or levying authority's, as the case may be, next allocation of sales taxes, petroleum taxes, highway privilege taxes, severance taxes, Tennessee Valley Authority payments in lieu of taxes and homestead exemption reimbursements in that order of priority. The Department of Revenue, or other appropriate agency, shall pay the sums so deducted to the authority to be applied to the discharge of the contractual obligation.

(4) Notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary, all loans made pursuant to Section 57-75-11(hh) and this section shall be for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years as may be determined by the authority, shall bear interest at such rates as may be determined by the authority, shall, in the sole discretion of the authority, be secured in an amount and a manner as may be determined by the authority.

(5)(a) Before authorizing any loan to a public agency defined in Section 57-75-5(h)(ii) , a local governmental unit, the governing authority of such local governmental unit in connection with a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) , shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention so to do, stating the amount of the loan proposed to be authorized and the purpose for which the loan is to be authorized, and the date upon which the loan will be authorized. Such resolution shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in such local governmental unit. The first publication of such resolution shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date fixed in such resolution for the authorization of the loan and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days before such date. If no newspaper is published in such local governmental unit, then such notice shall be given by publishing the resolution for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation in such local governmental unit and, in addition, by posting a copy of such resolution for at least twenty-one (21) days next preceding the date fixed therein at three (3) public places in such local governmental unit. If fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified electors of the local governmental unit or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is the lesser, file a written protest against the authorization of such loan on or before the date specified in such resolution, then an election on the question of the authorization of such loan shall be called and held as otherwise provided for in connection with the issuance of general obligation indebtedness of such local governmental unit. Notice of such election shall be given as otherwise required in connection with the issuance of general obligation indebtedness of such local governmental unit. If three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors voting in the election vote in favor of authorizing the loan, then the governing authority of the local governmental unit shall proceed with the loan; however, if less than three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors voting in the election vote in favor of authorizing the loan, then the loan shall not be incurred. If no protest be filed, then such loan may be entered into by the local governmental unit without an election on the question of the authorization of such loan, at any time within a period of two (2) years after the date specified in the resolution. However, the governing authority of any local governmental unit, in its discretion, may nevertheless call an election on such question, in which event it shall not be necessary to publish the resolution declaring its intention to authorize such loan as provided in this subsection.

(b) Local governmental units may, in connection with any such loan, enter into any covenants and agreements with respect to such local governmental unit's operations, revenues, assets, monies, funds or property, or such loan, as may be prescribed by the authority.

(c) Upon the making of any such loan by the authority to any local governmental unit, such local governmental unit shall be held and be deemed to have agreed that if such governmental unit fails to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any such loan as when due and payable, such governmental unit shall have waived any and all defenses to such nonpayment, and the authority, upon such nonpayment, shall thereupon avail itself of all remedies, rights and provisions of law applicable in such circumstance, including without limitation any remedies or rights theretofore agreed to by the local governmental unit, and that such loan shall for all of the purposes of this section, be held and be deemed to have become due and payable and to be unpaid. The authority may carry out the provisions of this section and exercise all of the rights and other applicable laws of this state.

(d) This section shall be deemed to provide an additional, alternative and complete method for the doing of the things authorized by this section and shall be deemed and construed to be supplemental to any power conferred by other laws on public agencies and not in derogation of any such powers. Any obligation incurred pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not constitute an indebtedness of the public agency within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation or restriction. For purposes of this act, a public agency shall not be required to comply with the provisions of any other law except as provided in this section.

(6) Any public agency providing any utility service or services, to any project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 may enter into leases or subleases for any period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years, in the capacity as lessor or lessee or sublessor or sublessee of lands alone, or lands and facilities located thereon, whether the facilities are owned by the owner of the land, a lessee, sublessee or a third party, and whether the public agency is a lessor, lessee or owner of the land. Any such public agency may also enter into operating agreements and/or lease-purchase agreements with respect to land or utility facilities as owner, operator, lessor or lessee for any period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years. Any such public agency may also enter into contracts for the provision of utilities for any period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years and may set a special rate structure for such utilities.

(7)(a) No well shall be permitted by any public agency responsible for the conservation of oil and gas in the State of Mississippi to be drilled on or under a tract of land which is a part of a project owned or operated by an enterprise as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) or Section 57-75-5(f) (xxxiii) and which enterprise is a nonconsenting owner as defined in Section 53-3-7(1) , which owns both the surface estate of said tract of land and also owns one hundred percent (100%) of the drilling rights in said tract of land.

(b) No mining activities on or under land which is part of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) or Section 57-75-5(f) (xxxiii) shall be permitted by any public agency responsible for mining in the state without the consent of the enterprise owning or operating such project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-32-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 13 / Section 32-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-32-11
Status: in_force

Any revenues or proceeds derived from property purchased or acquired by the council with funds given or delivered to the council for a specific purpose shall be used exclusively for industrial development in the contributing county. Such funds shall not be commingled with other funds of the council, but shall be kept and expended solely for industrial development within the county specified, for the retirement of indebtedness on industrial property in such county. Once the indebtedness on any property acquired by the council with funds specified to be used in a certain county has been paid in full, the council shall execute a deed to such property to said county upon request to do so by resolution duly adopted by the board of supervisors of said county. In the absence of such request from the board of supervisors of such county the council shall continue to maintain the proceeds or revenues derived from such property in the separate fund to be used for industrial development exclusively within such county furnishing said funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-13-107 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 10 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) In accordance with the following schedule, the tax expenditure report produced by the University Research Center pursuant to Section 57-13-47 , shall include an additional component, consistent with Section 57-103-109 and produced in consultation with the Director of the Mississippi Development Authority containing the following:

(a) Analyses of economic development tax incentives and economic development programs as enacted prior to July 1, 2014, shall be completed by December 31, 2015, and no less than once every four (4) years thereafter;

(b) Analyses of any economic development tax incentives and economic development programs created after July 1, 2014, shall be completed within five (5) years of taking effect, and no less than once every four (4) years thereafter.

(2) Not later than the first of February each year beginning with 2016, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee shall consider the tax expenditure report and hold at least one public hearing to deliberate the results of the analysis required in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-19-7 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-19-7
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall provide for such food technology laboratory, such building, pilot processing facilities, personnel, supplies, and services as it shall determine to be necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of the food technology program, having due regard for the contributory facilities and programs already existing at Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-425 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 10-425
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-425
Status: in_force

The corporation, subject to the provisions in proceedings relating to outstanding bonds as may then exist, may purchase bonds out of any funds available therefor, which shall thereupon be canceled, at any reasonable price which, if the bonds are then redeemable, shall not exceed the redemption price (and premium, if any) then applicable plus accrued interest to the redemption date thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-39 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 29 / Section 44-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-39
Status: in_force

Sections 57-44-11 through 57-44-39 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but this chapter shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-40-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 40-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-40-3
Status: in_force

There is established an energy infrastructure revolving loan program to be administered by the MDA for the purpose of assisting counties and municipalities in:

(a) Constructing, repairing or improving infrastructure related to a project, including, but not limited to, making a contribution in aid of construction to an energy-providing utility or cooperative for its constructing, repairing, improving and owning such infrastructure;

(b) Site preparation related to a project on property owned by a county or municipality; and

(c) Site preparation on property owned by the enterprise owning or operating a project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-503 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 10 / Section 10-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-503
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of this article to promote economic and community development in the State of Mississippi through the planning and development districts in Mississippi by providing assistance for job creation and retention and small business development and to authorize the issuance of state bonds or notes for funding such assistance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-56-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 31 / Section 56-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-56-1
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created and established the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology, which office shall be administered and staffed by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(2) The Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Manage and control the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology, and recommend from time to time to the Governor such utilization of space available at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Stennis Space Center deemed appropriate as having a direct impact on the transfer of technology or commercial space activities;

(b) Establish a mechanism through which utilization of available space within the center can best be determined to be in the state's best interest, including leasing or subleasing and contracting authority;

(c) Provide an office for and maintain liaison with the NASA Stennis Space Center for a direct interface for technology transfer and economic development endeavors;

(d) Assist the Director of the University Research Center to examine the potential for including the establishment at or near the NASA Stennis Space Center of university research centers in engineering, science or technology in the strategy and planning for any future research and development programs for the state, such university centers to focus on areas of fundamental research and technology that are scientifically promising and have the potential to contribute to Mississippi's long-term economic competitiveness and growth;

(e) Encourage and facilitate collaboration among state and local governments, universities, the private sector, particularly small business, and the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories in order to assist in the transfer of science and technology to the marketplace;

(f) Facilitate communication, coordination and cooperation between state and local technology transfer organizations and the Offices of Research and Technology Applications of federal laboratories; and

(g) Prepare and submit quarterly to the Governor a report summarizing the activities performed by the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology.

(3) The Mississippi Office of Space and Technology shall have the following functions and duties:

(a) In order to ensure that Mississippi benefits from and fully exploits scientific research and technology developed at the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories, participate with the NASA Stennis Space Center not only in generating new knowledge and understanding in advanced technologies, but also in encouraging the swiftest possible transfer of federally developed science and technology to the private sector of the state;

(b) Be the conduit between and among the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories and consortiums, state and local governments, universities and the private sector for the transfer of technology developed from federal research and development efforts at the NASA Stennis Space Center;

(c) Provide state and local governments, universities and the private sector with information on technology, expertise and facilities available at the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories;

(d) Identify areas of research and technology of potential importance to long-term state economic competitiveness;

(e) Cooperate with and assist the NASA Stennis Space Center in broadening Mississippi's technology base by moving new knowledge from the research laboratory into the development of new products and processes;

(f) Provide a clearinghouse for requests received at the NASA Stennis Space Center for technical assistance from state agencies, units of local governments, businesses, industrial development organizations, not-for-profit organizations including universities, federal agencies and laboratories and other persons;

(g) Assist the private sector of Mississippi to participate, where appropriate, in federal technology exchange programs whereby scientists and engineers in the private sector may take temporary assignments in federal laboratories, and scientists and engineers in federal laboratories may take temporary assignments in the private sector;

(h) When requested, assist the NASA Stennis Space Center, colleges or universities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, state agencies, local governments or regional organizations to establish programs to stimulate research and to encourage technology transfer in such areas as technology program development, curriculum design, long-term research planning, personnel needs projections and productivity assessments; and

(i) Encourage and participate in the establishment and operation of centers at or near the NASA Stennis Space Center, which centers may be affiliated with any university or other nonprofit institution, or any group thereof, that will have as objectives:

(i) The enhancement of technological innovation through the participation of individuals from federal laboratories, industry, universities and other nonprofit institutions, or any group thereof, in cooperative technological innovation activities; and

(ii) The improvement of mechanisms for the dissemination of scientific, engineering and technical information among federal laboratories, universities, other nonprofit institutions and industry.

(4) The public interest demands and the general welfare requires this procedure so that the comprehensive state policy on technology transfer may be implemented in the most effective, efficient and economical manner.

(5) It shall be the duty of every department, agency, office, institution and political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, and the officers thereof, to cooperate with and assist the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology in every reasonable way.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-5 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 40 / Section 62-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-5
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Qualified business or industry ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, business trust or other legal entity and subunits or affiliates thereof, pursuant to rules and regulations of the MDA, which provides an average annual salary, excluding benefits which are not subject to Mississippi income taxes, of at least one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the most recently published state average annual wage or the most recently published average annual wage of the county in which the qualified business or industry is located as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, whichever is the lesser. An establishment shall not be considered to be a qualified business or industry unless it offers, or will offer within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date it receives the first incentive payment pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, a basic health benefits plan to the individuals it employs in new direct jobs in this state which is approved by the MDA. Qualified business or industry does not include retail business or gaming business;

(b) “ New direct job ” means full-time employment in this state in a qualified business or industry that has qualified to receive an incentive payment pursuant to this chapter, which employment did not exist in this state before the date of approval by the MDA of the application of the qualified business or industry pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. “New direct job” shall include full-time employment in this state of employees who are employed by an entity other than the establishment that has qualified to receive an incentive payment and who are leased to the qualified business or industry, if such employment did not exist in this state before the date of approval by the MDA of the application of the establishment;

(c) “ Full-time job ” means a job of at least thirty-five (35) hours per week;

(d) “ Estimated direct state benefits ” means the tax revenues projected by the MDA to accrue to the state as a result of the qualified business or industry;

(e) “ Estimated direct state costs ” means the costs projected by the MDA to accrue to the state as a result of the qualified business or industry;

(f) “ Estimated net direct state benefits ” means the estimated direct state benefits less the estimated direct state costs;

(g) “ Net benefit rate ” means the estimated net direct state benefits computed as a percentage of gross payroll, provided that:

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (g), the net benefit rate may be variable and shall not exceed four percent (4%) of the gross payroll; and shall be set in the sole discretion of the MDA;

(ii) In no event shall incentive payments, cumulatively, exceed the estimated net direct state benefits;

(h) “ Gross payroll ” means wages for new direct jobs of the qualified business or industry; and

(i) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-13 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 28 / Section 57-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-13
Status: in_force

The board may promulgate necessary rules and regulations and prescribe procedures to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-4-17 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-4-17
Status: in_force

The agricultural and industrial board shall require governing authorities to keep such records as are necessary to assure that the funds are spent in accordance with this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-27 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 71 / Section 99-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-27
Status: in_force

(1) As soon as practicable after the end of a calendar quarter for which a qualified business or industry has qualified to receive an incentive payment, the qualified business or industry shall file a claim for the payment with the State Tax Commission and shall specify the actual number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry for the calendar quarter and the wages and taxable benefits thereof. The State Tax Commission shall verify the actual number of qualified jobs maintained by the business or industry. If the State Tax Commission is not able to provide such verification utilizing all available resources, the State Tax Commission may request such additional information from the business or industry as may be necessary.

(2) If the business or industry does not maintain the job requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 at any other time during the ten-year period after the date the first payment was made, the incentive payments shall not be made and shall not be resumed until such time as the actual verified number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry equals or exceeds the requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 for one (1) calendar quarter.

(3) An establishment that has qualified pursuant to Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 may receive payments only in accordance with the provision under which it initially applied and was approved.

(4) As soon as practicable after verification of the qualified business or industry meeting the requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 and all rules and regulations, the Department of Finance and Administration, upon requisition of the State Tax Commission, shall issue a warrant drawn on the MMEIA Withholding Rebate Fund to the establishment in the amount of the rebate as determined pursuant to subsection (1) of this section for the calendar quarter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-35-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 1 / Section 35-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-35-1
Status: in_force

That the governor of the State of Mississippi be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered for and on behalf of the State of Mississippi to join the Tennessee River Valley Association and the State of Mississippi may remain a member so long as the expense of such membership does not extend five thousand dollars ($ 5,000.00) per annum.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-119-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 77 / Section 119-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-119-3
Status: in_force

(1) Monies in the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund shall be used only for the purposes specified in this chapter, and no other expenditure, appropriation or transfer of monies in the GCRF shall be made except by an act of the Legislature making specific reference to the GCRF as the source of those monies.

(2) If any monies in the GCRF are obligated or pledged as security for any debt incurred by MDA, and the monies in the GCRF that have been obligated or pledged are later expended, appropriated, transferred, obligated or pledged for any other purpose, the debt for which the monies were originally obligated or pledged shall be the obligation and indebtedness of the State of Mississippi secured by the full faith and credit of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-47-7 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 44 / Section 47-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-47-7
Status: in_force

The commission shall submit its budget of estimated expenditures to the legislative budget office for presentation to the legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 61-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-3
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of this chapter to promote business and economic development in the State of Mississippi through job producing programs and by providing loans to municipalities as defined in this chapter; to assist in securing strategic investments and/or investments in small communities by private companies locating or expanding in the state; to promote the improvement and enhancement of facilities utilized in foreign and domestic commerce to and from Mississippi through state-owned ports and to provide loans to state agencies as defined in this chapter, for the construction and development of harbor, channel and port facilities; and to authorize the issuance of state bonds or notes for funding of said programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-31 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 3 / Section 61-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-31
Status: in_force

(1) The proceeds realized from the sale of bonds and notes under this chapter, other than refunding bonds and replacement notes, shall be paid to the State Treasurer and deposited into the Mississippi Business Investment Fund and specifically dedicated to the purposes enumerated in this chapter.

(2) All nonfederal funds which may become available for the purposes of this chapter shall be deposited in the Mississippi Business Investment Fund and shall be allocated for the purposes of this chapter.

(3) The proceeds of the sale of refunding bonds and replacement notes shall be applied solely to the payment of the principal of and the accrued interest on and premium, if any, and costs of redemption of the bonds and notes for which such obligations have been issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-29 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 7 / Section 61-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-29
Status: in_force

(1) Pending the issuance of bonds of the state as authorized under this chapter, the seller is hereby authorized in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and on the credit of the state, to make temporary borrowings not to exceed two (2) years in anticipation of the issue of bonds in order to provide funds in such amounts as may, from time to time, be deemed advisable prior to the issue of bonds. In order to provide for and in connection with such temporary borrowings, the seller is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf of the state, and in accordance with Section 57-61-27(1), Mississippi Code of 1972 , to enter into any purchase, loan or credit agreement, or agreements, or other agreement or agreements with any banks or trust companies or other lending institutions, investment banking firms or persons in the United States having power to enter into the same, which agreements may contain such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as may be authorized by the seller.

(2) All temporary borrowings made under this section shall be evidenced by notes of the state which shall be issued, from time to time, for such amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the applicable statutory and constitutional debt limitation, in such form and in such denominations and subject to terms and condition of sale and issue, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest and time of payment of interest as the seller shall authorize and direct and in accordance with this chapter. Such authorization and direction may provide for the subsequent issuance of replacement notes to refund, upon issuance thereof, such notes, and may specify such other terms and conditions with respect to the notes and replacement notes thereby authorized for issuance as the seller may determine and direct.

(3) When the authorization and direction of the seller provide for the issuance of replacement notes, the seller is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf of the state to enter into agreements with any banks, trust companies, investment banking firms or other institutions or persons in the United States having the power to enter the same:

(a) To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of issues of notes.

(b) To enter into any purchase, loan or credit agreements, and to draw moneys pursuant to any such agreements on the terms and conditions set forth therein and to issue notes as evidence of borrowings made under any such agreements.

(c) To appoint or act as issuing and paying agent or agents with respect to notes.

(d) To do such other acts as may be necessary or appropriate to provide for the payment, when due, of the principal of and interest on such notes.

Such agreements may provide for the compensation of any purchasers or underwriters of notes or replacement notes by payment of a fixed fee or commission at the time of issuance thereof, and for all other costs and expenses, including fees for agreements related to the notes issuing and paying agent costs. Costs and expenses of issuance may be paid from the proceeds of the notes.

(4) When the authorization and direction of the seller provides for the issuance of replacement notes, it shall, at or prior to the time of delivery of these notes or replacement notes, determine the principal amounts, dates of issue, interest rate or rates, rates of discount, denominations and all other terms and conditions relating to the issuance. The State Treasurer shall perform all acts and things necessary to pay or cause to be paid, when due, all principal of and interest on the notes being refunded by replacement notes and to assure that the same may draw upon any moneys available for that purpose pursuant to any purchase loan or credit agreements established with respect thereto, all subject to the authorization and direction of the seller.

(5) Outstanding notes evidencing such borrowings may be funded and retired by the issuance and sale of the bonds of the state as hereinafter authorized. The refunding bonds must be issued and sold not later than a date two (2) years after the date of issuance of the first notes evidencing such borrowings to the extent that payment of such notes has not otherwise been made or provided for by sources other than proceeds of replacement notes.

(6) The proceeds of all such temporary borrowing shall be paid to the State Treasurer to be held and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 57-61-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(7) Notes issued hereunder, and the income therefrom, shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-35 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 28 / Section 49-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-35
Status: in_force

(1) If the federal department of energy selects a site in the state for construction of a repository for the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste or transuranic waste, the board shall review the adequacy of the selected site and of the site plan prepared by the federal department of energy pursuant to Section 57-49-31(2)(k) . The review shall include a full scientific review of the adequacy of the selected site and the site plan. The board shall solicit written comments on the selected site and the site plan from the council and the committee. The board may utilize recognized experts in conducting its scientific review. The board shall conduct at least one (1) public hearing in the affected county on the site plan and shall make available to the public arguments and evidence for and against the site plan. The board shall provide ten (10) days' notice of the date and location(s) of the public hearing(s). The board shall solicit comments from appropriate state agencies, local units of government, and interested citizen groups on the adequacy of the selected site and the site plan. The board shall make these comments available to the public.

(2) After completing this review, the board shall submit a recommendation, complete with supporting reasons for the recommendation, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the lieutenant governor and the governor on the issue of whether the state should accept the site and site plan selected by the federal department of energy. The governor and/or members of the legislature, after review of the recommendation and findings of the board, may confer with the board, council, committee, representatives of state agencies, institutions of higher learning and/or representatives of the affected county or locality. The governor shall thereafter determine the advisability of such facility at the proposed site. If the governor's decision, after such consultations, is not favorable to the establishment of the nuclear waste disposal site, he shall notify the legislature of that decision and either the governor or the legislature shall prepare and transmit to the speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the United States Senate a notice of disapproval of the site recommendation. The notice of disapproval shall contain a statement of those reasons for objection to the site recommendation. All such disposal or storage shall be made in strict adherence to guidelines established by the federal government, the division of radiological health of the state board of health, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-21 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 69 / Section 75-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-21
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The authority shall set a goal to expend not less than ten percent (10%) of the total amounts expended by the authority on planning, construction, training, research, development, testing, evaluation, personal services, procurement, and for the operation and maintenance of any facilities or activities controlled by such authority, with minority small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. For the purpose of determining the total amounts expended with such minority small business concerns, credit shall be given for that portion of any prime contract entered into with the authority which inures to the benefit of such minority small business concern as a subcontractor thereunder.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C.S., Section 637(d) ) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the term “minority small business concern” means any small business concern:

(i) Which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; or, in the case of any publicly owned businesses, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and

(ii) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of such individuals.

(d) For the purpose of this section, the term “small business concern” shall mean “small business” as the latter term is defined in Section 57-10-155, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(2) In order to comply in a timely manner with its minority small business participation mandate, the authority shall set an annual goal to expend not less than ten percent (10%) of its aggregate yearly expenditures with minority small business concerns.

(3) The authority shall:

(a) Monitor the minority small business concerns assistance programs prescribed in this section.

(b) Review and determine the business capabilities of minority small business concerns.

(c) Establish standards for a certification procedure for minority small business concerns seeking to do business with the authority.

(d) Provide technical assistance services to minority small business concerns. Such technical assistance shall include but not be limited to:

(i) Research;

(ii) Assistance in obtaining bonds;

(iii) Bid preparation;

(iv) Certification of business concerns;

(v) Marketing assistance; and

(vi) Joint venture and capital development.

(e) Develop alternative bidding and contracting procedures for minority small business concerns in conjunction with the State Fiscal Management Board and the Governor's Office of General Services.

(f) Utilize such alternative bidding and contracting procedures in lieu of those prescribed in Title 31, Chapters 5 and 7, Mississippi Code of 1972 , when contracting with minority small business concerns that have qualified to bid for contracts and have satisfied any other disclosure provisions required by the authority.

(g) Be authorized to accept in lieu of any bond otherwise required from minority small business concerns or small business concerns contracting with the authority, in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the total cost of the contracted project, any combination of the following:

(i) Cash;

(ii) Certificates of deposit from any bank or banking corporation insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation;

(iii) Federal treasury bills;

(iv) Letters of credit issued by a bank as that term is defined in Section 81-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972; or

(v) Surety bonds issued by an insurance company licensed and qualified to do business in the State of Mississippi.

(h) Be authorized, in its discretion, to waive any bond required on any project which does not exceed a total dollar value of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($ 100,000.00). A retainage shall be held by the authority in an amount not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) from each draw according to American Institute of Architects (AIA) standards. Upon satisfactory completion of such project, ten percent (10%) of the total cost of the contract shall be held in an interest-bearing escrow account for one (1) year. Funds deposited in such escrow account shall stand as a surety for any defects in workmanship or materials detected within twelve (12) months of completion. The balance of all monies so escrowed including accrued interest shall be paid to the contractor at the end of such twelve-month period.

(i) Be empowered to provide an incentive of bimonthly payments to any prime contractors utilizing minority small business concerns as subcontractors on twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total dollar value of any single project or contract.

(j) Submit an annual report on its progress concerning minority small business contracts to the Legislature by January 30 of each year.

(k) Take all steps necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 10 / Section 55-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-11
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Small Business Development Center, hereinafter referred to as SBDC, is hereby established. The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized to establish the Mississippi Small Business Development Center at the University of Mississippi under the direct supervision of the chancellor of the university and the dean of the business school.

(2) It shall be the function and duty of the SBDC to:

(a) Develop a system to deliver management assistance to the small business community utilizing the resources of local, state and federal government programs, various segments of the private sector, and universities and colleges throughout the state;

(b) Make management and technical assistance available to small businesses in Mississippi by linking together the above resources;

(c) Develop small business opportunities for new start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses;

(d) Develop the economic area served by the SBDC by providing opportunities for increased productivity through utilization of modern technology as developed by government, the university and the private sector;

(e) Develop a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of economic and business data;

(f) Assist businesses in developing more efficient marketing and distribution channels, including foreign trade marketing;

(g) Increase opportunities for socially and/or economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs to enter the mainstream of our economy through an organized outreach program; and

(h) Increase small business viability so that the small business client “graduates” from the SBDC.

(3) The principal officer of the SBDC shall be an executive director who shall be appointed by the chancellor of the University of Mississippi, with the approval of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-56-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 40 / Section 56-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-56-1
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created and established the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology, which office shall be administered and staffed by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(2) The Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Manage and control the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology, and recommend from time to time to the Governor such utilization of space available at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Stennis Space Center deemed appropriate as having a direct impact on the transfer of technology or commercial space activities;

(b) Establish a mechanism through which utilization of available space within the center can best be determined to be in the state's best interest, including leasing or subleasing and contracting authority;

(c) Provide an office for and maintain liaison with the NASA Stennis Space Center for a direct interface for technology transfer and economic development endeavors;

(d) Assist the Director of the University Research Center to examine the potential for including the establishment at or near the NASA Stennis Space Center of university research centers in engineering, science or technology in the strategy and planning for any future research and development programs for the state, such university centers to focus on areas of fundamental research and technology that are scientifically promising and have the potential to contribute to Mississippi's long-term economic competitiveness and growth;

(e) Encourage and facilitate collaboration among state and local governments, universities, the private sector, particularly small business, and the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories in order to assist in the transfer of science and technology to the marketplace;

(f) Facilitate communication, coordination and cooperation between state and local technology transfer organizations and the Offices of Research and Technology Applications of federal laboratories; and

(g) Prepare and submit quarterly to the Governor a report summarizing the activities performed by the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology.

(3) The Mississippi Office of Space and Technology shall have the following functions and duties:

(a) In order to ensure that Mississippi benefits from and fully exploits scientific research and technology developed at the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories, participate with the NASA Stennis Space Center not only in generating new knowledge and understanding in advanced technologies, but also in encouraging the swiftest possible transfer of federally developed science and technology to the private sector of the state;

(b) Be the conduit between and among the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories and consortiums, state and local governments, universities and the private sector for the transfer of technology developed from federal research and development efforts at the NASA Stennis Space Center;

(c) Provide state and local governments, universities and the private sector with information on technology, expertise and facilities available at the NASA Stennis Space Center and other federal laboratories;

(d) Identify areas of research and technology of potential importance to long-term state economic competitiveness;

(e) Cooperate with and assist the NASA Stennis Space Center in broadening Mississippi's technology base by moving new knowledge from the research laboratory into the development of new products and processes;

(f) Provide a clearinghouse for requests received at the NASA Stennis Space Center for technical assistance from state agencies, units of local governments, businesses, industrial development organizations, not-for-profit organizations including universities, federal agencies and laboratories and other persons;

(g) Assist the private sector of Mississippi to participate, where appropriate, in federal technology exchange programs whereby scientists and engineers in the private sector may take temporary assignments in federal laboratories, and scientists and engineers in federal laboratories may take temporary assignments in the private sector;

(h) When requested, assist the NASA Stennis Space Center, colleges or universities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, state agencies, local governments or regional organizations to establish programs to stimulate research and to encourage technology transfer in such areas as technology program development, curriculum design, long-term research planning, personnel needs projections and productivity assessments; and

(i) Encourage and participate in the establishment and operation of centers at or near the NASA Stennis Space Center, which centers may be affiliated with any university or other nonprofit institution, or any group thereof, that will have as objectives:

(i) The enhancement of technological innovation through the participation of individuals from federal laboratories, industry, universities and other nonprofit institutions, or any group thereof, in cooperative technological innovation activities; and

(ii) The improvement of mechanisms for the dissemination of scientific, engineering and technical information among federal laboratories, universities, other nonprofit institutions and industry.

(4) The public interest demands and the general welfare requires this procedure so that the comprehensive state policy on technology transfer may be implemented in the most effective, efficient and economical manner.

(5) It shall be the duty of every department, agency, office, institution and political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, and the officers thereof, to cooperate with and assist the Mississippi Office of Space and Technology in every reasonable way.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-329 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-329
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-1-329
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 57-1-307 through 57-1-335 and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-115-5 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 64 / Section 115-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-115-5
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The MDA must provide a standardized format for applying for the Mississippi small business investment credit authorized under this chapter, and for certification as a Mississippi small business investment company.

(b) An applicant for certification as a primary Mississippi small business investment company must:

(i) File an application with the MDA which shall include a business plan detailing:

1. The approximate percentage of designated capital the applicant will invest in qualified businesses by the second, fourth and sixth anniversaries of its allocation date;

2. The industry segments listed by the North American Industrial Classification System code and percentage of designated capital in which the applicant will invest; and

3. The number of jobs that will be created or retained as a result of the applicant's investments once all designated capital has been invested. A job shall be considered created or retained if the job pays one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the state average annual wage and is maintained for at least three (3) years. The application shall project, at a minimum, that one (1) job shall be created or maintained for each One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in credits awarded to the participating investors of the Mississippi small business investment company;

(ii) Pay a nonrefundable application fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00) at the time of filing the application;

(iii) Submit as part of its application an audited balance sheet that contains an unqualified opinion of an independent certified public accountant issued not more than thirty-five (35) days before the application date that states that the applicant has an equity capitalization of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) or more in the form of unencumbered cash, marketable securities or other liquid assets; and

(iv) Have at least two (2) principals or persons, at least one (1) of which is primarily located in Mississippi, employed or engaged to manage the funds who each have a minimum of five (5) years of money management experience in the venture capital or private equity or lending industry.

(c) An applicant for certification as a secondary Mississippi small business investment company must:

(i) File an application with the MDA which shall include a business plan detailing:

1. The approximate percentage of designated capital the applicant will invest in qualified businesses by the second, fourth and sixth anniversaries of its allocation date;

2. The industry segments listed by the North American Industrial Classification System code and percentage of designated capital in which the applicant will invest; and

3. The number of jobs that will be crested or retained as a result of the applicant's investments once all designated capital has been invested. A job shall be considered created or retained if the job pays one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the state average annual wage and is maintained for at least three (3) years. The application shall project, at a minimum, that one (1) job shall be created or maintained for each One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in credits awarded to the participating investors of the Mississippi small business investment company;

(ii) Pay a nonrefundable application fee of Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($3,750.00) at the time of filing the application;

(iii) Submit as part of its application an audited balance sheet that contains an unqualified opinion of an independent certified public accountant issued not more than thirty-five (35) days before the application date that states that the applicant has an equity capitalization of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) or more in the form of unencumbered cash, marketable securities or other liquid assets;

(iv) Demonstrate that fifty percent (50%) of all secondary investment company investments have been in Mississippi, and all of the applicant's employees have lived in Mississippi for at least two (2) years prior to the application being filed, and that those who are employed or engaged to manage the funds have a minimum of three (3) years of money management experience in the venture capital or private equity or lending industry; and

(v) Submit as part of its application a signed and notarized partnership agreement letter with a certified primary Mississippi small business investment company.

(d)(i) Any participating partner or individual in a certified secondary small business investment company that successfully participated in the initial authorization and allocation of credits in 2012, and which is a partner in a submitted application for credits allocated in subsection (4)(b) of this section, while partnered with the same primary small business investment company from the previous 2012 allocation, shall have the requirements in paragraph (c)(iii) and (iv) of this subsection waived as having been completed through the previous allocation.

(ii) Any participating partner or individual in a certified secondary small business investment company that successfully participated in the authorization and allocation of credits in 2018, and which is a partner in a submitted application for credits allocated in subsection (4)(c) of this section, while partnered with the same primary small business investment company from the previous 2018 allocation, shall have the requirements in paragraph (c)(iii) and (iv) of this subsection waived as having been completed through the previous allocation.

(e) The MDA may certify partnerships, corporations, trusts, or limited liability companies, organized on a for-profit basis, which submit an application to be designated as a Mississippi small business investment company if the applicant is located, headquartered, and licensed or registered to conduct business in Mississippi, has as its primary business activity the investment of cash in qualified businesses, and meets all of the criteria of this section.

(f) The MDA must:

(i) Review the organizational documents of each applicant for certification and the business history of each applicant;

(ii) Determine whether the applicant has satisfied all of the requirements of this section; and

(iii) Determine whether the officers and the board of directors, general partners, trustees, managers or members are trustworthy and are thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of this chapter.

(g) Within forty-five (45) days after the receipt of an application, the MDA may issue the certification or refuse the certification and may communicate in detail to the applicant the grounds for refusal, including suggestions for the removal of the grounds.

(h) The MDA must begin accepting applications to become a Mississippi small business investment company not later than August 1, 2012, for credits allocated in subsection (4)(a) of this section, not later than August 1, 2018, for credits allocated in subsection (4)(b) of this section, and not later than August 1, 2023, for credits allocated in subsection (4)(c) of this section.

(i) Certification by the MDA and operation of a primary Mississippi small business investment company is not subject to completion of any relationship or agreement with a secondary Mississippi small business investment company, and it is not the intent of this chapter to compel any such agreement.

(2)(a) An insurance company or affiliate of an insurance company must not, directly or indirectly:

(i) Beneficially own, whether through rights, options, convertible interest, or otherwise, fifteen percent (15%) or more of the voting securities or other voting ownership interest of a Mississippi small business investment company;

(ii) Manage a Mississippi small business investment company; or

(iii) Control the direction of investments for a Mississippi small business investment company.

(b) A Mississippi small business investment company may obtain one or more guaranties, indemnities, bonds, insurance policies, or other payment undertakings for the benefit of its participating investors from any entity, except that in no case can more than one (1) participating investor of a Mississippi small business investment company on an aggregate basis with all affiliates of the participating investor, be entitled to provide guaranties, indemnities, bonds, insurance policies, or other payment undertakings in favor of the participating investors of a Mississippi small business investment company and its affiliates in this state.

(c) This subsection (2) does not preclude a participating investor, insurance company or other party from exercising its legal rights and remedies, including, without limitation, interim management of a Mississippi small business investment company, in the event that a Mississippi small business investment company is in default of its statutory obligations or its contractual obligations to a participating investor, insurance company, or other party, or from monitoring a Mississippi small business investment company to ensure its compliance with this chapter or disallowing any investments that have not been approved by the MDA.

(d) The MDA may contract with an independent third party to review, investigate, and certify that the applications comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(3)(a) At the time of its investment of designated capital a participating investor shall earn a vested credit against the participating investor's state premium tax liability in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital in a Mississippi small business investment company, subject to the limits imposed by this section.

(b) From and after January 1, 2015, a participating investor may claim the credit allocated in subsection (4)(a) of this section as follows: For each taxable year from 2015 through 2019, an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital.

(c) From and after January 1, 2021, a participating investor may claim the credit allocated in subsection (4)(b) of this section as follows:

(i) For each taxable year from 2021 through 2025, an amount equal to sixteen and sixty-six one-hundredths percent (16.66%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital; and

(ii) For the 2026 taxable year, an amount equal to sixteen and seven-tenths percent (16.7%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital.

(d) From and after January 1, 2027, a participating investor may claim the credit allocated in subsection (4)(c) of this section as follows:

(i) For each taxable year from 2027 through 2031, an amount equal to sixteen and sixty-six one-hundredths percent (16.66%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital; and

(ii) For the 2032 taxable year, an amount equal to sixteen and seven-tenths percent (16.7%) of the participating investor's investment of designated capital.

(e) The credit for any taxable year cannot exceed the state premium tax liability of the participating investor for the taxable year. If the amount of the credit exceeds the state premium tax liability of the participating investor for the taxable year, the excess is an investment tax credit carryover for five (5) years from the date the credit is first able to be utilized in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection (3).

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the granting of any credits against the insurance premium tax shall not affect the insurance premium tax receipts distributed pursuant to Sections 83-1-37 , 83-1-39 , 83-34-39 , 45-11-5 and 21-29-233 , which shall take priority over all other distributions of premium tax receipts and shall be calculated based upon gross insurance premium tax liability before the application of the tax credits.

(g) A participating investor claiming a credit under this chapter is not required to pay any additional retaliatory tax under Section 27-15-123 levied as a result of claiming the credit.

(h) A participating investor is not required to reduce the amount of tax pursuant to the state premium tax liability included by the participating investor in connection with ratemaking for any insurance contract written in this state because of a reduction in the participating investor's tax liability based on the tax credit allowed under this chapter.

(i) If the taxes paid by a participating investor with respect to its state premium tax liability constitute a credit against any other tax that is imposed by this state, the participating investor's credit against the other tax shall not be reduced by virtue of the reduction in the participating investor's tax liability based on the tax credit allowed under this chapter.

(j) Final decertification of a Mississippi small business investment company under this chapter prior to such Mississippi small business investment company meeting the requirements of Section 57-115-7(1)(a)(ii) , shall result in the disallowance and the recapture of all of the credits allocated to its participating investors under this chapter. Once a Mississippi small business investment company has satisfied the requirements of Section 57-115-7(1)(a)(ii) , any subsequent decertification shall not cause the disallowance or recapture of any credits allocated to its participating investors under this chapter.

(k) The credits allowed under this chapter are not transferable; however, a participating investor may transfer credits to an affiliated insurance company provided it gives prior written notice of such transfer to the MDA and the Department of Revenue.

(4)(a)(i) Through January 1, 2018, the aggregate amount of investment tax credits that may be allocated to all participating investors of Mississippi small business investment companies under this section shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), and no Mississippi small business investment company, on an aggregate basis with its affiliates, may file credit allocation claims that exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(ii) The Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits allocated in this paragraph (a) shall be divided into a primary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified primary Mississippi small business investment companies and a secondary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified secondary Mississippi small business investment companies. The secondary tax credit pool shall be Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00) of the total Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits. Secondary Mississippi small business investment companies may not apply for more than One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) worth of credits on a single application. A certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company may apply for additional tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool, if the credits are available, after fifty percent (50%) of its previously allocated credits are used in qualified investments.

(iii) If there are any tax credits remaining available for allocation in the secondary tax credit pool on August 1, 2013, those available tax credits shall revert to the primary tax credit pool and be made available to primary Mississippi small business investment companies according to rules and regulations promulgated by the MDA. Prior to August 1, 2013, primary Mississippi small business investment companies, including any wholly owned subsidiary company, shall be prohibited from making application to the MDA to be additionally certified as a secondary Mississippi small business investment company for purposes of the tax credits allocated in this paragraph (a) and prohibited from applying for any tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool. A certified primary Mississippi small business investment company may have ownership equity in a certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company, but the equity interest owned by the certified primary Mississippi small business investment company shall not exceed forty percent (40%).

(b)(i) From and after July 1, 2018, through January 1, 2023, an additional aggregate amount of investment tax credits may be allocated to all participating investors of Mississippi small business investment companies under this section. The amount so allocated shall not exceed Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00), and no Mississippi small business investment company, on an aggregate basis with its affiliates, may file credit allocation claims on the additional aggregate amount of tax credits that exceed Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00).

(ii) The Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits allocated in this paragraph (b) shall be divided into a primary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified primary Mississippi small business investment companies and a secondary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified secondary Mississippi small business investment companies. The secondary tax credit pool shall be Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00) of the total Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits. Secondary Mississippi small business investment companies may not apply for more than One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) worth of credits on a single application. A certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company may apply for additional tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool, if the credits are available, after fifty percent (50%) of its previously allocated credits are used in qualified investments.

(iii) If there are any tax credits remaining available for allocation in the secondary tax credit pool on August 1, 2019, those available tax credits shall revert to the primary tax credit pool and be made available to primary Mississippi small business investment companies according to rules and regulations promulgated by the MDA. Prior to August 1, 2022, primary Mississippi small business investment companies, including any wholly owned subsidiary company, shall be prohibited from making application to the MDA to be additionally certified as a secondary Mississippi small business investment company for purposes of the tax credits allocated in this paragraph (b) and prohibited from applying for any tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool. A certified primary Mississippi small business investment company may have ownership equity in a certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company, but the equity interest owned by the certified primary Mississippi small business investment company shall not exceed forty percent (40%).

(c)(i) From and after July 1, 2023, an additional aggregate amount of investment tax credits may be allocated to all participating investors of Mississippi small business investment companies under this section. The amount so allocated shall not exceed Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00), and no Mississippi small business investment company, on an aggregate basis with its affiliates, may file credit allocation claims on the additional aggregate amount of tax credits that exceed Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00).

(ii) The Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits allocated in this paragraph (c) shall be divided into a primary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified primary Mississippi small business investment companies and a secondary tax credit pool which may be applied for by certified secondary Mississippi small business investment companies. The secondary tax credit pool shall be Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00) of the total Forty-five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00) aggregate amount of investment tax credits. Secondary Mississippi small business investment companies may not apply for more than One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) worth of credits on a single application. A certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company may apply for additional tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool, if the credits are available, after fifty percent (50%) of its previously allocated credits are used in qualified investments.

(iii) If there are any tax credits remaining available for allocation in the secondary tax credit pool on August 1, 2024, those available tax credits shall revert to the primary tax credit pool and be made available to primary Mississippi small business investment companies according to rules and regulations promulgated by the MDA. Prior to August 1, 2027, primary Mississippi small business investment companies, including any wholly owned subsidiary company, shall be prohibited from making application to the MDA to be additionally certified as a secondary Mississippi small business investment company for purposes of the tax credits allocated in this paragraph (c) and prohibited from applying for any tax credit allocation from the secondary tax credit pool. A certified primary Mississippi small business investment company may have ownership equity in a certified secondary Mississippi small business investment company, but the equity interest owned by the certified primary Mississippi small business investment company shall not exceed forty percent (40%).

(d) Credits must be allocated to investors in the order that the credit allocation claims are filed with the MDA.

(e) Any credit allocation claims filed with the MDA before the initial credit allocation claim filing date will be deemed to have been filed on the initial credit allocation claim filing date. The MDA will set the initial credit allocation claim filing date to be not less than one hundred twenty (120) days and not more than one hundred fifty (150) days after the date the MDA begins accepting applications for certification. Credit allocation claims filed on the same day with the MDA must be treated as having been filed contemporaneously.

(f) If two (2) or more Mississippi small business investment companies file credit allocation claims with the MDA on behalf of their respective participating investors on the same day and the aggregate amount of credit allocation claims exceeds the aggregate limit of credits authorized under this subsection (4) or the lesser amount of credits that remain unallocated on that day, then the credits shall be allocated among the participating investors who filed on that day on a pro rata basis with respect to the amounts claimed. The pro rata allocation for any one (1) participating investor is the product obtained by multiplying a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the credit allocation claim filed on behalf of a participating investor and the denominator of which is the total of all credit allocation claims filed on behalf of all participating investors on that day, by the aggregate limit of credits authorized under this subsection (4) or the lesser amount of credits that remain unallocated on that day.

(g) Within ten (10) business days after the MDA receives a credit allocation claim filed by a Mississippi small business investment company on behalf of one or more of its participating investors, the MDA may notify the Mississippi small business investment company of the amount of credits allocated to each of the participating investors of that Mississippi small business investment company. In the event a Mississippi small business investment company does not receive an investment of designated capital from each participating investor required to earn the amount of credits allocated to the participating investor within ten (10) business days of the Mississippi small business investment company's receipt of notice of allocation, then it shall notify the MDA on or before the next business day, and the credits allocated to the participating investor of the Mississippi small business investment company will be forfeited. The MDA may then reallocate those forfeited credits among the participating investors of the other Mississippi small business investment companies on a pro rata basis with respect to the credit allocation claims filed on behalf of the participating investors. The MDA may levy a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) on any participating investor that does not invest the full amount of designated capital required to fund the credits allocated to it by the MDA in accordance with the credit allocation claim filed on its behalf.

(h) No participating investor, on an aggregate basis with its affiliates, may file an allocation claim for more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum amount of investment tax credits authorized under this subsection (4), regardless of whether the claim is made in connection with one or more Mississippi small business investment companies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-411 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 9 / Section 10-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-411
Status: in_force

Ninety (90) days after the filing of the tax return of the approved company, the Department of Revenue shall certify to the corporation the state income tax liability for the preceding year of each approved company with respect to an economic development project financed under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 , and the amounts of any tax credits taken under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-419 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 1 / Section 10-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-419
Status: in_force

(1) The corporation may issue in its own name, from time to time, for the purpose of financing the approved costs of an economic development project, its bonds and may pledge for the payment thereof funds derived in respect of any financing agreement or other arrangement entered into by the corporation and an approved company under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 .

(2) In anticipation of the issuance of bonds, the corporation may provide for the issuance, at one time or from time to time, of bond anticipation notes. The principal of and the interest on the notes shall be payable solely from the funds herein provided for the payment. Any notes may be made payable from the proceeds of bonds or renewal notes; or, if bond or renewal note proceeds are not available, the notes may be paid from any available revenues or assets of the corporation.

(3) The bonds issued under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 shall be authorized by a resolution of the corporation, shall bear such date or dates, and shall mature at such time or times as such resolution may provide, except that no bond shall mature more than twenty-five (25) years from the date of issue. Bonds which are not subject to taxation shall bear interest at such rate or rates, be in such denominations, be in such form, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, including redemption before maturity, as such resolution may provide. Except as expressly provided otherwise in Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 , the provisions of other laws of the state relating to the issuance of revenue bonds shall not apply to bonds issued by the corporation. As to bonds issued hereunder and designated as taxable bonds by the corporation, any immunity to taxation by the United States government of interest on such bonds or notes is hereby waived. Bonds of the corporation may be sold by the corporation at public or private sale, from time to time, and at such price or prices as the corporation shall determine.

(4) The proceeds of any bonds shall be used solely for the purposes for which issued and shall be disbursed in the manner and under the restrictions, if any, that the corporation may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in a trust indenture securing the same.

(5) The principal and interest on the bonds issued by the corporation shall be payable solely and only from proceeds derived under a financing agreement and shall be secured solely by the economic development project, the proceeds of the financing agreement, and such other assets as may be available, but not including revenues of the state.

(6) Before the preparation of definitive certificates evidencing the bonds, the corporation may issue, under like restrictions, interim receipts or temporary certificates, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive certificates when the certificates have been executed and are available for delivery. The corporation may also provide for the replacement of any certificates which become mutilated or are destroyed or lost.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-37 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 18 / Section 44-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-44-37
Status: in_force

The State Treasurer is authorized to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration the necessity for warrants, and the Executive Director of 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 57-44-11 through 57-44-39 ; 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-27 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 73 / Section 99-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-27
Status: in_force

(1) As soon as practicable after the end of a calendar quarter for which a qualified business or industry has qualified to receive an incentive payment, the qualified business or industry shall file a claim for the payment with the State Tax Commission and shall specify the actual number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry for the calendar quarter and the wages and taxable benefits thereof. The State Tax Commission shall verify the actual number of qualified jobs maintained by the business or industry. If the State Tax Commission is not able to provide such verification utilizing all available resources, the State Tax Commission may request such additional information from the business or industry as may be necessary.

(2) If the business or industry does not maintain the job requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 at any other time during the ten-year period after the date the first payment was made, the incentive payments shall not be made and shall not be resumed until such time as the actual verified number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry equals or exceeds the requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 for one (1) calendar quarter.

(3) An establishment that has qualified pursuant to Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 may receive payments only in accordance with the provision under which it initially applied and was approved.

(4) As soon as practicable after verification of the qualified business or industry meeting the requirements of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 and all rules and regulations, the Department of Finance and Administration, upon requisition of the State Tax Commission, shall issue a warrant drawn on the MMEIA Withholding Rebate Fund to the establishment in the amount of the rebate as determined pursuant to subsection (1) of this section for the calendar quarter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 56 / Section 62-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Advantage Jobs Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-417 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 4 / Section 10-417
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-417
Status: in_force

The bonds issued by the corporation under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 shall be limited obligations of the corporation and shall not constitute a debt, liability or general obligation of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the corporation), or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or any political subdivision thereof (other than the corporation), but shall be payable solely as provided by the corporation under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 . No member or officer of the board of directors of the corporation nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. Each bond issued under Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-445 shall contain on the face thereof a statement that neither the state, nor any other political subdivision thereof, shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon or other costs incident thereto except from the revenue or money pledged by the corporation and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the state or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, such bond.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-521 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 10 / Section 10-521
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-521
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Mississippi Small Business Assistance Fund out of which grants and expenditures authorized in connection with the program shall be disbursed. All monies received by issuance of bonds to carry out the purposes of this article shall be deposited into the Mississippi Small Business Assistance Fund.

(2) All funds repaid to the State Treasury under this article or designated hereunder for repayment of any bonds issued under this article shall be delivered to the State Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-17 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 11 / Section 49-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-17
Status: in_force

The board shall promote and coordinate educational programs which provide information on the nature of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste, the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of these wastes, the activities of the board, the council and the committee, the activities of the federal department of energy and other federal agencies related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 29 / Section 57-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-11
Status: in_force

The board is hereby authorized to assist in the creation of and actively participate in an export trading company as defined in Title I, Section 103 of the United States Export Trading Company Act of 1982 to promote and facilitate increased exports in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context hereof clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “Regional tourist promotion council” shall mean a corporation organized pursuant to the provisions of the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Law established for the purposes authorized in this chapter, and which is recognized by the Mississippi Board of Economic Development as qualifying under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) “Board” shall mean the Mississippi Board of Economic Development or any successor agency that may be designated by law to succeed to the duties of the Mississippi Board of Economic Development with respect to the promotion of tourist travel and vacation business in Mississippi.

(c) “Natural promotion regions” shall consist of the following area tourist councils:

(i) Area Tourist Council One: DeSoto, Tate, Panola, Yalobusha, Grenada, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Benton, Union, Pontotoc, Tippah, Alcorn, Tishomingo, Prentiss, Lee and Itawamba.

(ii) Area Tourist Council Two: Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Bolivar, Tallahatchie, Sunflower, Leflore, Carroll, Washington, Humphreys, Holmes, Issaquena and Sharkey.

(iii) Area Tourist Council Three: Chichasaw, Monroe, Montgomery, Webster, Clay, Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Attala, Winston, Noxubee, Leake, Neshoba, Kemper, Scott, Newton, Lauderdale, Smith, Jasper and Clarke.

(iv) Area Tourist Council Four: Warren, Yazoo, Madison, Hinds, Rankin, Claiborne, Copiah, Simpson, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Lincoln, Lawrence, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike and Walthall.

(v) Area Tourist Council Five: Jefferson Davis, Covington, Jones, Wayne, Marion, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson.

Upon the approval of the Mississippi Board of Economic Development, the area tourist councils established by subsection (c) may reorganize in order to allow a county to join that council with which it feels most closely connected, taking into consideration such factors as common interests and compatibility with the member counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-7 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 26 / Section 55-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-7
Status: in_force

(1) The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as the WRRI, at Mississippi State University under the direct supervision of the president of the university or a vice-president to be designated by the president.

(2) It shall be the function and duty of the WRRI to:

(a) Assist state agencies in the development and maintenance of a state water management plan;

(b) Consult with state and local governmental agencies, water management districts, water user associations, the legislature of the state of Mississippi, and other potential users in identifying and establishing research, planning, policy, and management priorities regarding water problems.

(c) Negotiate and administer contracts with local, regional, state and federal agencies and other universities of the state for mitigation of priority water and related problems;

(d) Report to the appropriate state agencies each year on the progress and findings of research projects;

(e) Disseminate new information and facilitate transfer and application of new technologies as they are developed;

(f) Provide for liaison between Mississippi and funding agencies as an advocate for Mississippi water research, planning, policy, and management needs; and

(g) Facilitate and stimulate planning and management that:

(i) Deals with water policy issues facing the state of Mississippi;

(ii) Supports state water agencies' missions with research on problems encountered and expected;

(iii) Provides water planning and management organizations with tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness of water planning and management.

(3) The principal administrative officer of the WRRI shall be a director, who shall be appointed by the president of Mississippi State University, with the approval of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning. To meet the purposes of the WRRI, the director shall develop appropriate policies and procedures (a) for identification of priority research problems; (b) for collaborating with local and state governmental agencies, water user associations, other universities, federal government agencies, and the legislature in the formulation of its research program; (c) for selection of projects to be funded; and (d) for the dissemination and transfer of information and technology produced by research.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-11-37 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 10 / Section 11-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-11-37
Status: in_force

The term “revolving fund” means a “plant engineering revolving fund” maintained in the state treasury as a separate fund which can be expended by the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board for costs incurred in connection with the design engineering and projected operating estimates of the proposed industrial plants so long as there is a balance in the fund provided by the Mississippi Legislature. All moneys repaid by individuals or groups of individuals in return payment for such plant engineering will be credited to the “plant engineering revolving fund” so that additional studies can be made on the same basis and under the same conditions as provided in Sections 57-11-31 through 57-11-39 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-41-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 31 / Section 41-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-41-11
Status: in_force

Notes issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be legal investments for commercial banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies organized under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-15-6 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-15-6
Status: in_force

(1) In recognition of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, the council is directed to prepare and implement a coastal program that establishes guidelines and procedures pursuant to the following goals:

(a) To provide for reasonable industrial expansion in the coastal area and to ensure the efficient utilization of waterfront industrial sites so that suitable sites are conserved for water dependent industry;

(b) To conserve the resources of the coastal area for this and succeeding generations in accordance with the public policies expressed in Sections 39-7-3 , 49-15-1 , 49-17-3 , 49-27-3 and 51-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(c) To consider the national interest involved in planning for and in the siting of facilities in the coastal area;

(d) To encourage the preservation of natural scenic qualities in the coastal area;

(e) To assist local governments in the provisions of public facilities and services in a manner consistent with the coastal program; and

(f) To ensure the effective, coordinated implementation of public policy in the coastal area of Mississippi comprised of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the coastal program described in subsection (1) of this section should comprise a statement of consolidated state policy in the coastal area, incorporating all applicable constitutional provisions, laws and regulations of the State of Mississippi. Where the coastal program includes provisions that are otherwise under the jurisdiction of another state agency, the coastal program shall not conflict with such agency's jurisdiction.

(3) In addition to the powers and duties now conferred upon them by law, all state agencies shall carry out their responsibilities in the coastal area in compliance with the coastal program described in subsection (1) of this section unless otherwise prohibited by law. The coastal program shall include procedures by which conflicts between state agencies concerning their compliance with the coastal program may be resolved. Further, the council shall establish in the program procedures to review and coordinate any decisions affecting the coastal area so that all state agencies and other interested parties will have the opportunity to participate in such decisions.

(4) In cooperation with other agencies having responsibilities in the coastal area, the council shall seek to develop “one-stop permitting” to coordinate the processing and issuing of permits, licenses and other such instruments in the coastal area. It is the intent of the legislature that one-stop permitting shall expedite the decision making of all governmental entities having separate regulatory jurisdiction or authority over activities in the coastal area without impinging on the regulatory jurisdiction or authority of these governmental entities.

One-stop permitting shall be implemented by means of the agreements authorized in subsection (4) of Section 57-15-5 , and shall provide for the following:

(a) A single application form for all required permits or approvals from governmental entities in the coastal area; such application form shall contain sufficient information so that the necessary reviews of all affected governmental entities can be expeditiously carried out;

(b) Consolidated public hearings so that a single public hearing may serve to meet the requirements of the several public hearings as may now be provided by law for issuing a permit, license or other such instrument in the coastal area;

(c) The shortest practicable review period for applications, proper allowances being made for all interested parties to become informed and to make their opinions heard by the appropriate agencies; and

(d) Joint permitting procedures for state and federal agencies.

The one-stop permitting provided for in this subsection shall not alter the powers, duties and responsibilities of any governmental entity, its expressed purpose being to improve the procedural operations of these entities.

(5) After consultation with county port authorities, development commissions, and port and harbor commissions having jurisdiction in the coastal area, the council shall prepare as part of the coastal program a long-term plan for the development of suitable sites for water dependent industry. The council shall include in this plan provisions for the disposal of spoil material from dredging operations. In designating suitable sites for water dependent industry, the council shall consider the nature and extent of specific alterations that would serve a higher public interest pursuant to the development of these sites.

(6) Where necessary to implement the coastal program described in subsection (1) of this section, the council may acquire real or personal property by purchase, condemnation, lease or agreement as authorized from time to time by the legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-47-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 45 / Section 47-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-47-3
Status: in_force

The Governor or his designee and a member of the Mississippi Radiation Advisory Council, established by Section 45-14-7, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to be designated by the Governor, shall be the Mississippi members of the Southeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. Each member may designate an alternate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-28-5 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 4 / Section 28-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-28-5
Status: in_force

(1) The MDA shall develop, implement and administer the incentive program authorized in Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5 and shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the development, implementation and administration of such program.

(2) A person, corporation or other entity desiring to participate in the incentive program authorized in Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5 must submit an application to the MDA. Such application must contain (a) plans for the proposed tourism project; (b) a detailed description of the proposed tourism project; (c) the method of financing the proposed tourism project and the terms of such financing; and (d) any other information required by the MDA. An application must be submitted no later than June 1, 2017. The Executive Director of the MDA shall review the application and determine if it qualifies as a tourism project. If the executive director determines the proposed tourism project qualifies as a tourism project, he shall issue a certificate to the person, corporation or other entity designating such person, corporation or other entity as an approved participant and authorizing the approved participant to participate in the incentive program provided for in Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5 .

(3) If a person, entity or other person submits an application to the MDA to participate in the incentive program authorized in Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5 , a gaming license may not be issued by the state for any establishment located in the project site.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-41 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 61 / Section 61-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-61-41
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Mississippi Development Authority shall utilize not more than Twelve Million Dollars ($ 12,000,000.00) out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued in this chapter to be made available to state, county or municipal port and airport authorities through a Port Revitalization Revolving Loan Fund for the purpose of making loans to port authorities for the improvement of port and airport facilities to promote commerce and economic growth. Proceeds shall not be made available to provide any facilities for utilization by a gaming vessel.

(2) In exercising its authority, the Mississippi Development Authority shall work in conjunction with the Water Resources Council to establish criteria and guidelines to govern loans made pursuant to this section.

(3) The Mississippi Development Authority may, on a case-by-case basis, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to state, county and municipal port and airport authorities located in 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; 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 55 / Section 55-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-55-3
Status: in_force

The legislature hereby finds and declares:

(a) That the economic and social progress of Mississippi depends in large measure upon the development, conservation and wise use of the natural resources of the state and orderly modernization of the laws of the state;

(b) That organized research and planning in various institutions of higher learning of the state can make significant contributions to the progress of the state;

(c) That the promotion of scientific and legal research, planning and development and the coordination of effort and dissemination of results among researchers and users is essential for efficient utilization of resources and orderly progress;

(d) That this chapter is intended to promote, and implement specific research efforts at various universities and coordinate their efforts with related research and development work conducted by other governmental and private entities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-21 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 19 / Section 49-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-21
Status: in_force

The board, through the council and the committee, shall monitor activity by Congress and the federal government related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste. The board, upon recommendation of the council, may advise the congressional delegation from this state of action which is necessary to protect the interests of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-121-9 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 77 / Section 121-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-121-9
Status: in_force

There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the “Back to Business Mississippi Grant Fund,” from which the grants authorized by this chapter shall be disbursed by the MDA. All monies shall be disbursed from the fund in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-527 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 5 / Section 10-527
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-527
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever bonds are issued, they shall be offered for sale at not less than par value and accrued interest and shall be sold by the seller at public or private sale, from time to time, in such manner and at such price as may be determined by the seller to be most advantageous.

(2) Any portion of any bond issue so offered and not sold or subscribed for at public sale may be disposed of by private sale by the seller in such manner and at such prices not less than par and accrued interest, as the seller shall direct.

(3) When bonds are issued from time to time, the bonds of each issue shall constitute a separate series to be designated by the seller or may be combined for sale as one (1) series with other general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi.

(4) Until permanent bonds can be prepared, the seller may in its discretion issue, in lieu of permanent bonds, temporary bonds in such form and with such privileges as to registration and exchange for permanent bonds as may be determined by the seller.

(5) Pending their application to the purposes authorized, bond proceeds held or deposited by the State Treasurer may be invested or reinvested as are other funds in the custody of the State Treasurer in the manner provided by law. All earnings received from the investment or deposit of such funds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Small Business Assistance Fund.

(6) The State Treasurer shall prepare the necessary registry book to be kept in the office of the duly authorized loan and transfer agent of the state for the registration of any bonds, at the request of owners thereof, according to the terms and conditions of issue directed by the seller.

(7) All costs and expenses in connection with the issue of and sale and registration of the bonds and notes in connection with this article, and all costs and expenses in connection with implementation of the program and development of application forms, procedures and requirements for use in connection with the program may be paid from the proceeds of bonds and notes issued under this article.

(8) The seller may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds for the employment of one or more persons or firms to assist in the sale of the bonds; to enter into contracts with financial institutions located either within or without the State of Mississippi to act as registrar, paying agents, transfer agents or otherwise; for rating of the bonds; and to purchase insurance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-15 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 26 / Section 49-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-15
Status: in_force

The board, the council and the committee shall serve as advocates on behalf of the citizens of this state before the federal department of energy and other federal agencies on matters related to the long-term or temporary storage and/or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and transuranic waste.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-9 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 69 / Section 75-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-75-9
Status: in_force

(1) The authority is hereby designated and empowered to act on behalf of the state in submitting a siting proposal for any project eligible for assistance under this act. The authority is empowered to take all steps appropriate or necessary to effect the siting, development, and operation of the project within the state, including the negotiation of a fee-in-lieu. If the state is selected as the preferred site for the project, the authority is hereby designated and empowered to act on behalf of the state and to represent the state in the planning, financing, development, construction and operation of the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency. The authority may take affirmative steps to coordinate fully all aspects of the submission of a siting proposal for the project and, if the state is selected as the preferred site, to coordinate fully, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, the development of the project or any facility related to the project with private business, the United States government and other public agencies. All public agencies are encouraged to cooperate to the fullest extent possible to effectuate the duties of the authority; however, the development of the project or any facility related to the project by the authority may be done only with the concurrence of the affected public agency.

(2)(a) Contracts, by the authority or a public agency, including, but not limited to, design and construction contracts, for the acquisition, purchase, construction or installation of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 or any facility related to the project shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 if:

(i) The authority finds and records such finding on its minutes, that because of availability or the particular nature of a project, it would not be in the public interest or would less effectively achieve the purposes of this chapter to enter into such contracts on the basis of Section 31-7-13 ; and

(ii) The enterprise that is involved in the project concurs in such finding.

(b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are met:

(i) The requirements of Section 31-7-13 shall not apply to such contracts; and

(ii) The contracts may be entered into on the basis of negotiation.

(c) The enterprise involved with the project may, upon approval of the authority, negotiate such contracts in the name of the authority.

(d) The provisions of this subsection (2) shall not apply to contracts by the authority for excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 and such contracts may be entered into pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(3)(a) Contracts by the authority for excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of such contracts:

(i) The authority shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the authority, but in no event less than one (1) business day, the date, time and place of a meeting with the authority to receive specifications on a request for proposals on excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 .

(ii) The authority shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the authority shall, in its discretion, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the authority concerning the selection of the contractor shall be final.

(b) Contracts by the authority or a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, wastewater or for public works for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of such contracts:

(i) The authority or the public agency shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the authority or the public agency, but in no event less than one (1) nor more than five (5) calendar days, the date, time and place of a meeting with the authority or the public agency to receive specifications on the preparation of the site of the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) .

(ii) The authority or the public agency shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the authority or the public agency shall, in its discretion, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the authority or the public agency concerning the selection of the contractor shall be final.

(c) Contracts by a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for public works for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxx) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) or Section 57-75-5(f) (xxxiii) may be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of contracts:

(i) The public agency shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the public agency, but in no event less than one (1) nor more than five (5) calendar days, the date, time and place of a meeting with the public agency to receive specifications on site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for public works related to the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxx) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) or Section 57-75-5(f) (xxxiii).

(ii) The public agency shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the public agency shall, in its discretion, which discretion may include participation by an enterprise involved in the project, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the public agency concerning selection of the contractor shall be final.

(4)(a) Contracts, by the authority or a public agency, including, but not limited to, design and construction contracts, for the acquisition, purchase, construction or installation of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) , Section 57-75-5(f) (xxviii), Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxx) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxi) , Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) or Section 57-75-5(f) (xxxiii), and any contracts by the authority or a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for other public facilities related to any such project shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 if:

(i) The authority finds and records such finding on its minutes, that because of availability or the particular nature of a project, it would not be in the public interest or would less effectively achieve the purposes of this chapter to enter into such contracts on the basis of Section 31-7-13 ; and

(ii) The enterprise that is involved in the project concurs in such finding.

(b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are met:

(i) The requirements of Section 31-7-13 shall not apply to such contracts; and

(ii) The contracts may be entered into on the basis of negotiation with the authority or such public agency, and the authority or such public agency may, as part of such negotiations, further negotiate and require the level of participation by the enterprise involved in the project in the negotiation of such contracts.

(c) Contracts by the authority or a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for other public facilities related to a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxii) , shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 65-1-85 , and the authority or public agency is authorized to use any method for design and/or construction procurement and contracting. With respect to any such contract that is anticipated to be federally funded, in whole or in part, the authority or public agency may nonetheless comply with the provisions of Section 65-1-85 for purposes of compliance with any applicable federal funding requirements.

(d) The decision of the authority or the public agency concerning selection of the contractor shall be final.

(e) The company shall make commercially reasonable efforts to place out for bid, such that Mississippi Contractors and Mississippi Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) shall have an equal opportunity to respond to such bid, any contract by the company which (i) is subject to tax pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 27-65-21 (i.e., contracts for constructing, building, erecting, grading, excavating, etc.), and (ii) will be paid, or payment thereunder by the company will be reimbursed, using any portion of the grant proceeds or funds provided by the authority to the company in accordance with this agreement. In carrying out such efforts, in order to increase the pool of qualified DBE bidders, the company will request that successful prime contract bidders include in their response a commitment to (a) participate in and/or host forums that highlight subcontract bidding opportunities for DBEs; and (b) work with various trade associations and the Mississippi Development Authority to promote increased participation from DBEs. With respect to awarding any contract placed out for bid, the company shall be allowed to award such contract in the company's sole discretion (e.g., based upon optimization of quality, cost and efficiency or on any other basis as the company may see fit). MDA agrees that it will offer to eligible contractor DBEs that have an opportunity to work on the project assistance through its Minority Surety Bond Guaranty Program.

(5) The Department of Employment Security is authorized to provide to the authority any information received, obtained or produced, or findings or determinations made thereby, with respect to any jobs created or maintained for a project that has been certified by the authority as a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-115-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 75 / Section 115-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-115-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Mississippi Small Business Investment Company Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-39 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 45 / Section 49-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-39
Status: in_force

The board shall attempt to finance all of its expenses from monies received from the federal department of energy and other federal agencies and from gifts and grants received from other persons. Expenses of the council and committee members to attend meetings shall be reimbursed by the board from these funds at the rates set forth in Sections 57-49-7 and 57-49-11 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-95-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 73 / Section 95-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-95-1
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “ At-risk industry ” means any enterprise that has been operating in this state for not less than three (3) consecutive years that has lost jobs or is at risk to lose jobs because such jobs have been outsourced.

(b) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) “ Outsource ” means to send out work or jobs of a certain provider or manufacturer of the State of Mississippi to an overseas provider or manufacturer or a provider or manufacturer located outside the boundaries of the United States or any territory of the United States.

(2)(a) There is established the Mississippi Job Protection Act to be administered by the MDA for the purpose of providing grants and loans to:

(i) At-risk industries to be used for job retention and to improve productivity and competitiveness; and

(ii) Counties and incorporated municipalities to provide assistance to at-risk industries to be used for job retention and to improve productivity and competitiveness.

(b)(i) An at-risk industry that accepts a grant or loan under this program shall not reduce employment by more than twenty percent (20%).

(ii) An at-risk industry that accepts assistance from a county or incorporated municipality through a loan or grant made under this section shall not reduce employment by more than twenty percent (20%).

(c) An at-risk industry desiring a grant or loan under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application shall include:

(i) A description of the purpose for which the grant or loan is requested;

(ii) The amount of the grant or loan requested;

(iii) The estimated total cost of the project;

(iv) A two-year business plan for the project;

(v) Financial statements or tax returns for the at-risk industry for the two (2) years immediately prior to the application;

(vi) Credit reports on all persons or entities with a twenty percent (20%) or greater interest in the at-risk industry; and

(vii) Any other information required by the MDA.

(d) A county or incorporated municipality desiring a grant or loan under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application shall include:

(i) A description of the purpose for which the loan is requested;

(ii) The amount of the grant or loan requested;

(iii) The estimated total cost of the project;

(iv) A statement showing the sources of funding for the project;

(v) A two-year business plan for the project;

(vi) Financial statements or tax returns for the at-risk industry for the two (2) years immediately prior to the application;

(vii) Credit reports on all persons or entities with a twenty percent (20%) or greater interest in the at-risk industry;

(viii) Any commitment by the at-risk industry to pay rental on, or to make loan repayments related to, the assistance; and

(ix) Any other information required by the MDA.

(e) The MDA shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

(i) The minimum requirements of this section and such other requirements as the MDA considers proper shall be met; and

(ii) If such requirements are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by this section as determined by the MDA shall be repaid.

(f) The amount of a grant or loan under this section shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of the project.

(g) The MDA shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the MDA shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section.

(3) Grants under this section shall not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00).

(4)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Mississippi Job Protection Act Fund,” which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise 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 by the MDA for the purposes described in this section.

(b) Monies in the fund which are derived from the proceeds of general obligation bonds may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA for the administration of the various grant, loan and financial incentive programs administered by the MDA. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained by the MDA. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued under Sections 40 through 55 of Chapter 1, Laws of Third Extraordinary Session of 2005. Reimbursements made under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(c)(i) There is hereby created the Mississippi Job Protection Act Bond Sinking Fund from which the principal and interest on bonds whose proceeds are deposited into the Mississippi Job Protection Act Fund and utilized to provide loans authorized under this section, shall be repaid. Unexpended amounts remaining in the bond sinking 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 bond sinking fund shall be deposited into the bond sinking fund. At any time when the funds required to pay the principal and interest on bonds whose proceeds are deposited into the Mississippi Job Protection Act Fund and are utilized to provide loans under this section are more than the amount available in the bond sinking fund, the Legislature shall appropriate the balance of the funds necessary to pay the principal and interest on such bonds.

(ii) Money repaid on loans authorized under this section that are derived from the proceeds of bonds deposited into the Mississippi Job Protection Act Fund shall be deposited into the Mississippi Job Protection Act Bond Sinking Fund.

(5)(a) A county that receives a loan under this section shall pledge for repayment of the loan any part of the homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement to which it may be entitled under Section 27-33-77 . An incorporated municipality that receives a loan under this section shall pledge for repayment of the loan any part of the sales tax revenue distribution to which it may be entitled under Section 27-65-75 . Each loan agreement shall provide for monthly payments, semiannual payments or other periodic payments, the annual total of which shall not exceed the annual total for any other year of the loan by more than fifteen percent (15%). The loan agreement shall provide for the repayment of all funds received within not more than twenty (20) years from the date of project completion.

(b) The State Auditor, upon request of the MDA, shall audit the receipts and expenditures of a county or an incorporated municipality whose loan payments appear to be in arrears, and if he finds that the county or municipality is in arrears in such payments, he shall immediately notify the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration who shall withhold all future payments to the county of homestead exemption reimbursements under Section 27-33-77 and all sums allocated to the county or the municipality under Section 27-65-75 until such time as the county or the municipality is again current in its loan payments as certified by the MDA. The State Auditor may conduct performance and compliance audits under this chapter according to Section 7-7-211(o) and may bill the oversight agency.

(c) Evidences of indebtedness which are issued pursuant to this section shall not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 21-33-303 with regard to cities or incorporated towns, and in Section 19-9-5 with regard to counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 15 / Section 49-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-49-1
Status: in_force

The purposes of this chapter are:

(a) To transfer to the Department of Environmental Quality the duties of the Mississippi Energy and Transportation Board with respect to nuclear-related activities within the state.

(b) To clarify the manner in which the Department of Environmental Quality shall perform its duty to develop, coordinate and review all nuclear-related activities in the state.

In order to assist and advise the Department of Environmental Quality in the implementation of this duty, there is hereby created a nuclear waste policy advisory council and a nuclear waste technical review committee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-23 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 73 / Section 99-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-23
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a qualified business or industry that meets the qualifications specified in Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 may receive quarterly incentive payments for a period not to exceed ten (10) years from the State Tax Commission pursuant to the provisions of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 in an amount which shall be equal to the lesser of one percent (1%) of the wages and taxable benefits for qualified jobs or the actual amount of Mississippi income tax withheld by the employer for the qualified jobs.

(2) In order to receive incentive payments, an establishment shall apply to the MDA by not later than July 1, 2010. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the MDA and shall contain such information as may be required by the MDA to determine if the applicant is qualified.

(3) In order to qualify to receive such payments, the establishment applying shall be required to:

(a) Be engaged in a qualified business or industry; and

(b) The business or industry must maintain a minimum of one thousand two hundred (1,200) qualified jobs.

(4) Upon approval of such an application, the MDA shall notify the State Tax Commission and shall provide it with a copy of the approved application. The State Tax Commission may require the qualified business or industry to submit such additional information as may be necessary to administer the provisions of Sections 57-99-21 through 57-99-29 . The qualified business or industry shall report to the State Tax Commission periodically to show its continued eligibility for incentive payments. The qualified business or industry may be audited by the State Tax Commission to verify such eligibility.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-93-1 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 73 / Section 93-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-93-1
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “ Existing industry ” means a manufacturing enterprise that has been operating in this state, including any federal Indian reservation located within the geographical boundary of this state, for not less than two (2) consecutive years that meets minimum criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(b) “ Long-term fixed assets ” means assets that:

(i) Through new technology will improve an enterprise's productivity and competitiveness; and

(ii) Meet criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(2)(a) There is established the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Program to be administered by the MDA for the purpose of providing loans to:

(i) Existing industries to deploy long-term fixed assets that through new technology will improve productivity and competitiveness;

(ii) Existing industries for the purchase or refinancing of land, buildings or equipment; and

(iii) Counties or incorporated municipalities to assist existing industries in deploying long-term fixed assets that through new technology will improve productivity and competitiveness and to assist existing industries through the purchase of land, buildings and equipment.

(b)(i) An existing industry that accepts a loan under this program shall not reduce employment by more than twenty percent (20%) through the use of the long-term fixed assets for which the loan is granted.

(ii) An existing industry that accepts assistance from a county or incorporated municipality through a loan made under this program shall not reduce employment by more than twenty percent (20%) through the use of the long-term fixed assets for which the assistance is granted.

(c) An existing industry desiring a loan under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application shall include:

(i) A description of the purpose for which the loan is requested;

(ii) The amount of the loan requested;

(iii) The estimated total cost of the project;

(iv) A two-year business plan for the project;

(v) Financial statements or tax returns for the existing industry for the two (2) years immediately prior to the application;

(vi) Credit reports on all persons or entities with a twenty percent (20%) or greater interest in the enterprise; and

(vii) Any other information required by the MDA.

(d) A county or incorporated municipality desiring a loan under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application shall include:

(i) A description of the purpose for which the loan is requested;

(ii) The amount of the loan requested;

(iii) The estimated total cost of the project;

(iv) A statement showing the sources of funding for the project;

(v) A two-year business plan for the project;

(vi) Financial statements or tax returns for the existing industry for the two (2) years immediately prior to the application;

(vii) Credit reports on all persons or entities with a twenty percent (20%) or greater interest in the existing industry;

(viii) Any commitment by the existing industry to pay rental on, or to make loan repayments related to, the assistance; and

(ix) Any other information required by the MDA.

(e) The MDA shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

(i) The minimum requirements of this section and such other requirements as the MDA considers proper shall be met; and

(ii) If such requirements are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by this section as determined by the MDA shall be repaid.

(f) The rate of interest on loans under this section shall be set by the MDA.

(g) The MDA shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the MDA shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section. However, in making loans under this section, the MDA shall attempt to provide for an equitable distribution of such loans among each of the congressional districts of this state in order to promote economic development across the entire state.

(3)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Fund,” which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise 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 by the MDA for the purposes described in this section.

(b) Monies in the fund which are derived from the proceeds of general obligation bonds may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA for the administration of the various grant, loan and financial incentive programs administered by the MDA. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained by the MDA. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds that are deposited into the fund. Reimbursements made under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(c)(i) There is hereby created the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Program Bond Sinking Fund from which the principal and interest on bonds whose proceeds are deposited into the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Fund and utilized to provide loans authorized under this section, shall be repaid. Unexpended amounts remaining in the bond sinking 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 bond sinking fund shall be deposited into the bond sinking fund. At any time when the funds required to pay the principal and interest on bonds whose proceeds are deposited into the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Fund and are utilized to provide loans under this section are more than the amount available in the bond sinking fund, the Legislature shall appropriate the balance of the funds necessary to pay the principal and interest on such bonds.

(ii) Money repaid on loans authorized under this section that are derived from the proceeds of bonds deposited into the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Fund shall be deposited into the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Program Bond Sinking Fund.

(4)(a) A county that receives a loan under this section shall pledge for repayment of the loan any part of the homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement to which it may be entitled under Section 27-33-77 . An incorporated municipality that receives a loan under this section shall pledge for repayment of the loan any part of the sales tax revenue distribution to which it may be entitled under Section 27-65-75 . Each loan agreement shall provide for monthly payments, semiannual payments or other periodic payments, the annual total of which shall not exceed the annual total for any other year of the loan by more than fifteen percent (15%). The loan agreement shall provide for the repayment of all funds received within not more than twenty (20) years from the date of project completion.

(b) The State Auditor, upon request of the MDA, shall audit the receipts and expenditures of a county or an incorporated municipality whose loan payments appear to be in arrears, and if he finds that the county or municipality is in arrears in such payments, he shall immediately notify the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration who shall withhold all future payments to the county of homestead exemption reimbursements under Section 27-33-77 and all sums allocated to the county or the municipality under Section 27-65-75 until such time as the county or the municipality is again current in its loan payments as certified by the MDA. In addition, the State Auditor may conduct performance and compliance audits under this chapter according to Section 7-7-211(o) and may bill the oversight agency.

(c) Evidences of indebtedness which are issued pursuant to this chapter shall not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 21-33-303 with regard to cities or incorporated towns, and in Section 19-9-5 with regard to counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-205 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 5 / Section 10-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-10-205
Status: in_force

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

“Bonds” shall mean any bonds, refunding bonds, notes, debentures, interim certificates or any bond, grant, revenue anticipation notes or any other evidences of indebtedness of the company, whether in temporary or definitive form and whether or not exempt from federal taxation.

“Company” shall mean the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, formerly the Certified Development Company of Mississippi, Inc., created in Section 57-10-167, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

“Cost,” as applied to the eligible business, shall mean and shall include, without limitation because of enumeration, the cost of construction; the cost of acquisition of all lands, structures, rights-of-way, franchises, easements and other property rights and interests; the cost of demolishing, removing, rehabilitating or relocating any buildings or structures on lands acquired, including the cost of acquiring any such lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved, rehabilitated or relocated; the cost of all labor, materials, machinery and equipment, financing charges, letter of credit or other credit enhancement fees, insurance premiums, interest on all bonds prior to and during construction or acquisition and for a period not exceeding one (1) year after completion of such construction or acquisition; cost of engineering, financial and legal services, plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, commissions, guaranty fees, other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicality of constructing, financing or operating a project of an eligible business; administrative expenses, provisions for working capital, reserves for interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, improvements and replacements, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the construction or acquisition of a project of an eligible business or the financing of such construction, acquisition or expansion and the placing of a project of an eligible business in operation. Any obligation or expense incurred by the state or any agency thereof, with the approval of the company, for studies, surveys, borings, preparation of plans and specifications or other work or materials in connection with the construction or acquisition of a project of an eligible business may be regarded as a part of the cost of a project of an eligible business and may be reimbursed to the state or any agency thereof out of the proceeds of the bonds issued therefor. The construction of railroad spur tracks shall be a cost of an eligible business for which financial assistance is available under this article; and such assistance may be provided to an existing eligible business whether or not the construction of such spur tracks is related to an expansion of such eligible business.

“Eligible business” shall mean any person engaged in one or more business enterprises in the state who meets requirements the company shall determine from time to time if the company finds and determines such person is in need of its assistance.

“Indenture” shall mean any trust agreement, deed of trust, mortgage or other security agreement under which bonds authorized pursuant to this article shall be issued or secured.

“Lender” shall mean any federally or state chartered bank, federal land bank, production credit association, bank for cooperatives, state or federally chartered savings and loan association, building and loan association, small business investment company or any other financial institution qualified within the state to originate and service loans, including but not limited to insurance companies, credit unions, investment banking or brokerage companies and mortgage loan companies.

“Loan” shall mean any lease, loan agreement or sales contract as hereinafter defined:

(a) “Lease” shall mean any lease containing an option to purchase the project or projects of the eligible business being financed for a nominal sum upon payment in full, or provision thereof, of all bonds issued in connection with the eligible business and all interest thereon and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith.

(b) “Loan agreement” shall mean an agreement providing for a loan of proceeds from the sale and issuance of bonds by the company or by a lender with which the company has contracted to loan such proceeds to one or more contracting parties to be used to pay the cost of one or more projects of an eligible business and providing for the repayment of such loan including but not limited to all interest thereon, and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith, by such contracting party or parties and which may provide for such loans to be secured or evidenced by one or more notes, debentures, bonds or other secured or unsecured debt obligations of such contracting party or parties, delivered to the company or to a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which the bonds were issued.

(c) “Sales contract” shall mean a contract providing for the sale of one or more projects of an eligible business to one or more contracting parties and includes but is not limited to a contract providing for payment of the purchase price, including but not limited to all interest thereon, and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith, in one or more installments. If the sales contract permits title to a project being sold to an eligible business to pass to such contracting party or parties prior to payment in full of the entire purchase price, it also shall provide for such contracting party or parties to deliver to the company, or to the trustee under the indenture pursuant to which the bonds were issued, one or more notes, debentures, bonds or other secured or unsecured debt obligations of such contracting party or parties providing for timely payments of the purchase price thereof.

“Municipality” shall mean any county or incorporated municipality in the state.

“Person” shall mean a natural person, partnership, association, corporation, business trust or other business entity.

“Revenue Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Revenues” shall mean any and all fees, rates, rentals, profits and receipts collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the company, and all other moneys and income of whatsoever kind or character collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the company in connection with loans to any eligible business in furtherance of the purposes of this article.

“Business enterprise” shall mean (a) any industry for the manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, servicing, distributing or selling of any products of agriculture, mining or industry or professional services; (b) any commercial enterprise; (c) enterprises for research and development, including but not limited to scientific laboratories; (d) any conference center, or any final destination or resort hotel having a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) rooms, or any combination of the foregoing; (e) any theme park or movie industry production studio, or any combination thereof, which would employ a minimum of two hundred (200) net full-time employees; or (f) such other businesses as will be in furtherance of the public purposes of this article as determined by the company.

“State” shall mean the State of Mississippi.

“Umbrella bonds” shall mean the bonds issued pursuant to Section 57-10-213 of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-7 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 75 / Section 99-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-99-7
Status: in_force

(1) As soon as practicable after the end of a calendar quarter for which a qualified business or industry has qualified to receive an incentive payment, the qualified business or industry shall file a claim for the payment with the State Tax Commission and shall specify the actual number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry for the calendar quarter and the wages and taxable benefits thereof. The State Tax Commission shall verify the actual number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry. If the State Tax Commission is not able to provide such verification utilizing all available resources, the State Tax Commission may request such additional information from the business or industry as may be necessary.

(2) The business or industry must meet the job requirements of Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 for four (4) consecutive calendar quarters prior to payment of the first incentive payment. If the business or industry does not maintain the job requirements of Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 at any other time during the twenty-five-year period after the date the first payment was made, the incentive payments shall not be made and shall not be resumed until such time as the actual verified number of qualified jobs created and maintained by the business or industry equals or exceeds the requirements of Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 for one (1) calendar quarter.

(3) An establishment that has qualified pursuant to Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 may receive payments only in accordance with the provision under which it initially applied and was approved. If an establishment that is receiving incentive payments expands, it may apply for additional incentive payments based on the wages and taxable benefits for qualified jobs anticipated from the expansion only, pursuant to Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 .

(4) As soon as practicable after verification of the qualified business or industry meeting the requirements of Sections 57-99-1 through 57-99-9 and all rules and regulations, the Department of Finance and Administration, upon requisition of the State Tax Commission, shall issue a warrant drawn on the MMEIA Withholding Rebate Fund to the establishment in the amount of the rebate as determined pursuant to subsection (1) of this section for the calendar quarter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-3 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 33 / Section 62-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-62-3
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(a) The State of Mississippi provide appropriate incentives to support the establishment of quality business and industry that hold the promise of significant development of the economy of the State of Mississippi through the creation of quality jobs;

(b) The amount of incentives provided under this chapter in connection with a particular establishment shall be directly related to the jobs created as a result of the establishment locating in the State of Mississippi;

(c) The Mississippi Development Authority and the Department of Revenue shall implement the provisions of this chapter and exercise all powers as authorized in this chapter; however, the application of this chapter or the offering of any of its incentives as to any particular qualified business or industry shall be in the sole discretion of the Mississippi Development Authority. The exercise of powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of essential public purposes; and

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to constitute a guarantee or assumption by the State of Mississippi of any debt of any individual, company, corporation or association nor to authorize the credit of the State of Mississippi to be given, pledged or loaned to any individual, company, corporation or association. Also, nothing in this chapter gives any right to any qualified business or industry to the incentives contained herein unless said incentive is given by the Mississippi Development Authority pursuant to this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-11 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 19 / Section 57-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-57-11
Status: in_force

The board is hereby authorized to assist in the creation of and actively participate in an export trading company as defined in Title I, Section 103 of the United States Export Trading Company Act of 1982 to promote and facilitate increased exports in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-5 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 7 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-27-5
Status: in_force

The board, upon receipt of a copy of incorporation papers, constitution, bylaws and resolutions, if any, of a nonprofit corporation applying for recognition as a regional tourist promotion council under the provisions of this chapter is hereby authorized to designate such corporation as a regional tourist promotion council whenever the board shall determine:

(1) that the applying agency is established under the Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation Law, and has a constitution and bylaws governing the activities and purposes of said corporation which are in compliance with the rules and regulations of the board;

(2) that the charter, constitution or bylaws of the applying council provide for the selection of a board of directors, and successor members on said boards, of persons who have demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the tourist travel and vacation business in the various counties comprising the council to be served by the agency;

(3) that the applying council has furnished a proposed plan and demonstration of financial resources to establish and promote an active tourist travel and vacation business promotion program within the region.

Upon determining that an applying corporation is eligible for designation as a regional tourist promotion council, the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board shall upon a majority vote of said board designate such council as the participating council for such region and shall certify same to the applying council. The board is hereby authorized to revoke or suspend its designation of any regional tourist promotion council whenever the board shall determine that said council is not complying with the rules and regulations of the board, or has failed to comply with the terms of any grant made to such council pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-21-9 — MS Code / Title 57 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 57-21-9
Status: in_force

The laboratory is established for the following purposes:

(a) To provide analytical chemical and bacteriological services for regulatory control, in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, of the quality of feeds, oil-seed meals, fertilizers and economic poisons offered for sale in Mississippi. The State Chemist shall also share responsibility for labeling and standards of such goods with these agencies.

(b) To conduct chemical, bacteriological and physical tests of foods sold in the state, regulating the quality and labeling of such foods.

(c) To conduct chemical and physical tests on petroleum products offered for sale in the state.

(d) To provide chemically oriented consultation, problem-solving services and supporting analytical chemistry for other state organizations and agencies such as the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the State Geologist, the Board of Health, the Mississippi Development Authority, the University Research Center, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Highway Patrol, the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station as funds and resources permit.

(e) To provide chemical consultation, toxicological analyses and scientific services for the solution of problems of individual citizens and firms of the state who are engaged in agricultural or industrial endeavors furthering the economic growth or development of Mississippi.

(f) To conduct research and development programs associated with the discharge of these responsibilities.

(g) To carry out any program or duty which may be authorized or delegated to it by future legislation.