§ 31-1-1. Contracts for printing, binding, etc.

The responsibility for the making of contracts for printing, binding, engraving and lithographing is hereby vested in each state agency or office which requires such printing, binding, engraving and lithographing, including but not restricted to the Secretary of State, State Department of Education, State Tax Commission, Supreme Court, Department of Insurance, State Auditor, Public Service Commission, State Treasurer, State Fiscal Management Board, State Veterans Affairs Board, Attorney General, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, State Board of Pharmacy, State Board of Dental Examiners, State Law Library, State Board of Health, Mississippi Department of Corrections, State Educational Finance Commission, Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State Hospital and Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

All contracts referred to herein shall be submitted to and approved by the State Fiscal Management Board prior to their execution, except that those contracts under the jurisdiction of the Legislature shall be submitted to and approved by the Legislative Budget Office.

All state agencies shall purchase all commodities required for their operation or for the proper fulfillment of their duties and functions in accordance with Chapter 7 of this title in order to coordinate and promote efficiency and economy in the purchase of such commodities for the state.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 8961-01, 8961-04; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, §§ 1, 29; Laws, 1978, ch. 458, § 24; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 193; Laws, 1986, ch. 500, § 15; Laws, 1987, ch. 461, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved April 14, 1987).

§ 31-1-2. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1987, ch. 461, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved April 14, 1987).

[En Laws, 1986, ch. 500, § 14]

§ 31-1-3. Duties vested in Secretary of State.

Any other duties and powers heretofore vested in the former office of board of public contracts and not specifically transferred to a specific state agency or office or specifically repealed are transferred to and vested in the Secretary of State.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8961-03; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 28, eff from and after passage (approved August 8, 1968).

§ 31-1-5. Kinds of paper to be used.

The paper for printing the acts of the Legislature, journals, all pamphlets, department reports, messages, and the like shall be of good quality of a standard book paper of not less than fifty (50) pounds to the ream, and for bills, blanks, circulars, and the like to be of good bond of not less than sixteen (16) pounds to the ream.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3296; 1906, § 3752; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6446; 1930, § 5953; 1942, § 8998; Laws, 1935, ch. 33.

§ 31-1-7. Kinds of type to be used.

The following kinds of type shall be used: The acts of the Legislature shall be set in eight- or ten-point type, solid or leaded, as the Secretary of State may direct; the journals of the Senate and the House shall be set in eight-point type, solid; the department reports, miscellaneous books, pamphlets, and Governor’s messages, and the like shall be set in ten-point, eight-point and/or six-point, or other sizes of type, within the discretion of the Secretary of State. The matters of spacing between paragraphs, and of style and type of marginal or headnotes shall be within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3295; 1906, § 3751; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6445; 1930, § 5952; 1942, § 8997; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 10, eff from and after passage (approved August 8, 1968).

§ 31-1-9. Binding.

Two kinds of binding for books shall be used, to wit: full buckram, or stiff boards with buckram backs, unless otherwise specified and ordered by the Secretary of State.

A number of copies each of the acts and journals of the Legislature and department reports shall be bound in buckram, sufficient for the state and county libraries and colleges and for such other distribution as the law directs. The exact number of copies of each of the foregoing to be thus bound is left within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

All the remaining copies of the acts and journals shall be bound either in full buckram, or in stiff boards with buckram backs, as the Secretary of State may direct.

The messages of the Governor, reports of officers, boards and institutions, and all other pamphlets shall be in paper covers only, except as the Secretary of State, in his discretion, may direct.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, §§ 3297, 3306-3308; 1906, §§ 3753, 3762-3764; Hemingway’s 1917, §§ 6447, 6455-6457; 1930, §§ 5954, 5962-5964; 1942, §§ 8999, 9005-9007; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, §§ 11, 16-18.

§ 31-1-11. Contents of page.

The acts of the Legislature, the journals, department reports, pamphlets, and the like shall be set in type of the respective sizes as provided in Section 31-1-7 and in a style such as economy and good workmanship require, within the discretion and under the direction of the Secretary of State. The type size of the pages of the acts, journals and department reports shall be twenty-six (26) by forty-four (44) pica ems, with a trim size of six (6) by nine (9) inches. Pamphlets and books other than the acts, journals and reports shall be of the same or a more convenient size, within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Blank pages shall not be paid for, and in all cases where unnecessary spaces are left, the Secretary of State, in estimating the number of pages in a job, shall deduct a half page for every unnecessary space.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3298; 1906, § 3754; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6448; 1930, § 5955; 1942, § 9000; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 12, eff from and after passage (approved August 8, 1968).

§ 31-1-13. No extra charge for collating.

No charge shall be made for counting, folding, stitching, collating, drying, pressing, or other like thing, but all such matter shall be considered as embraced in the printing or binding, as the case may be. The printer or binder, in all instances, is to be understood as obligated to furnish free of cost all paper and material used in the performance of his contract, and to receive and deliver all matter at the capitol.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3301; 1906, § 3757; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6450; 1930, § 5957; 1942, § 9001.

§ 31-1-15. Number to be printed.

The acts of the Legislature shall be printed in two (2) volumes, one (1) volume containing the public or general acts of the Legislature and the other volume the local and private acts of the Legislature, but for use of state departments the two (2) volumes can be combined. The number of general or public acts of the Legislature, of the local and private acts of the Legislature, of the journals of the Senate and the House of Representatives, of the Governor’s message, and of the reports of officers, boards, and institutions to be printed, severally and respectively, shall be left within the discretion of the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State may sell at a price, approximately the cost of publication, such copies of the laws and journals as may not be needed in the distribution, now or hereinafter required, and for the use of the Legislature and officers of the state.

The Secretary of State is authorized to dispose of all copies of the laws and journals after having kept same and failed to sell same as is provided by law at the expiration of a period of three (3) years from the date of publication. However, the Secretary of State shall keep a minimum of five (5) copies of each such publication on file in his office.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3302; 1906, § 3758; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6451; 1930, § 5958; 1942, § 9002; Laws, 1924, ch. 350; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1952, ch. 334; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 13; Laws, 2012, ch. 390, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 2012.

§ 31-1-17. Printing schedule.

The Secretary of State shall furnish to the contractor for printing all of the acts of the Legislature within thirty (30) days after the adjournment thereof. The contractor, within ninety (90) days thereafter, shall print, with the index, and bind all copies of the acts as required by the Secretary of State and deliver same to the said secretary, who may extend the time of the contractor, if necessary.

Within six (6) months after the adjournment of the Legislature, the journals of the two (2) houses shall be printed with the indexes, bound, and delivered to the Secretary of State, unless the time be extended by said Secretary of State.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, §§ 3303, 3304; 1906, §§ 3759, 3760; Hemingway’s 1917, §§ 6452, 6453; 1930, §§ 5959, 5960; 1942, §§ 9003, 9004; Laws, 1900, ch. 63; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, §§ 14, 15, eff from and after passage (approved August 8, 1968).

§ 31-1-19. Labeling.

The acts of the Legislature shall be labeled “Laws of Mississippi” including the year of their passage, and the label shall indicate whether the laws are “general” or “local and private”; and if enacted at an extraordinary session, the label shall so indicate. The journals of the Legislature shall be labeled “House Journal-Mississippi,” and “Senate Journal-Mississippi,” respectively, and the year of the session shall be indicated thereon; and if for an extraordinary session, the label shall so indicate. The bound copies of the department reports shall be labeled “Department Reports, State of Mississippi,” and the label shall disclose the year covered by the reports.

The department reports consist of the Governor’s message and the annual reports of all offices, boards, commissions, agencies and institutions.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, §§ 3309, 3310; 1906, §§ 3765, 3766; Hemingway’s 1917, §§ 6458, 6459; 1930, §§ 5965, 5966; 1942, §§ 9008, 9009; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1966, ch. 547, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved May 27, 1966).

§ 31-1-21. Contractor’s accounts.

All contractors shall specify each job of work charged for and attach to the account the receipt of the proper officer for the work. The accounts must be accompanied with one copy of each job, of the paper containing the matter charged for, and must state the number of ems or inches and all particulars.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3313; 1906, § 3767; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6460; 1930, § 5967; 1942, § 9010; Laws, 1912, ch. 205; Laws, 1935, ch. 33.

§ 31-1-23. Department to read proof.

The department for which the work is done shall examine the proof sheets of all work executed under the provisions of this chapter, and see that they are correctly printed and that all such work is executed in a suitable manner and in accordance with the requirements of law.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 3314; 1906, § 3768; Hemingway’s 1917, § 6461; 1930, § 5968; 1942, § 9011; Laws, 1935, ch. 33; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 19, eff from and after passage (approved August 8, 1968).

§ 31-1-25. Printing, binding, and stationery.

1. The purchase of all printing, binding and stationery is hereby defined as a commodity purchase, subject to the provisions of Sections 31-7-1 through 31-7-19, Mississippi Code of 1972.
2. In the event the provisions of this section conflict with the provisions of any laws or parts of laws, the provisions of this section shall control.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9013.5; Laws, 1954, Ex Sess, ch. 29, § 2; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 20; Laws, 1973, ch. 368, §§ 1, 2, eff from and after passage (approved March 23, 1973).

§ 31-1-27. Certain appraisal records exempt from requirement of public access.

Appraisal information in the possession of a public body, as defined by paragraph (a) of Section 25-61-3, which concern the sale or purchase of real or personal property for public purposes prior to public announcement of the purchase or sale, where the release of such records would have a detrimental effect on such sale or purchase, shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

HISTORY: Laws, 1983, ch. 424, § 15, eff from and after July 1, 1983.

§ 31-3-1. Definitions.

The following words, as used in this chapter, shall have the meanings specified below:

“Board”: The State Board of Contractors created under this chapter.

“Contractor”: Any person contracting or undertaking as prime contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor of any tier to do any erection, building, construction, reconstruction, demolition, repair, maintenance or related work on any public or private project; however, “contractor” shall not include any owner of a dwelling or other structure to be constructed, altered, repaired or improved and not for sale, lease, public use or assembly, or any person duly permitted by the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board, pursuant to Section 53-3-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, to conduct operations within the state, and acting pursuant to said permit. It is further provided that nothing herein shall apply to:

Any contract or undertaking on a public or private project by a prime contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor of any tier involving erection, building, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance or related work where such contract, subcontract or undertaking is less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00);

Highway construction, highway bridges, overpasses and any other project incidental to the construction of highways which are designated as federal aid projects and in which federal funds are involved;

A residential project to be occupied by fifty (50) or fewer families and not more than three (3) stories in height;

A residential subdivision where the contractor is developing either single-family or multifamily lots;

A new commercial construction project not exceeding seventy-five hundred (7500) square feet and not more than two (2) stories in height undertaken by an individual or entity licensed under the provisions of Section 73-59-1 et seq.;

Erection of a microwave tower built for the purpose of telecommunication transmissions;

Any contract or undertaking on a public project by a prime contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor of any tier involving the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance of fire protection systems where such contract, subcontract or undertaking is less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00);

Any contract or undertaking on a private project by a prime contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor of any tier involving the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance of fire protection systems where such contract, subcontract or undertaking is less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00);

Any contract or undertaking on a private or public project by a prime contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor of any tier involving the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance of technically specialized installations if performed by a Mississippi contractor who has been in the business of installing fire protection sprinkler systems on or before July 1, 2000; or

Any contractor undertaking to build, construct, reconstruct, repair, demolish, perform maintenance on, or other related work, whether on the surface or subsurface, on oil or gas wells, pipelines, processing plants, or treatment facilities or other structures of facilities. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the application or effect of Section 31-5-41.

“Certificate of responsibility”: A certificate numbered and held by a contractor issued by the board under the provisions of this chapter after payment of the special privilege license tax therefor levied under this chapter.

“Person”: Any person, firm, corporation, joint venture or partnership, association or other type of business entity.

“Private project”: Any project for erection, building, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance or related work which is not funded in whole or in part with public funds.

“Public agency”: Any board, commission, council or agency of the State of Mississippi or any district, county or municipality thereof, including school, hospital, airport and all other types of governing agencies created by or operating under the laws of this state.

“Public funds”: Monies of public agencies, whether obtained from taxation, donation or otherwise; or monies being expended by public agencies for the purposes for which such public agencies exist.

“Public project”: Any project for erection, building, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance or related work which is funded in whole or in part with public funds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-01; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 1; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 1; reenacted, Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 1; reenacted without change, Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 7; reenacted and amended, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 505, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 475, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 358, § 1; Laws, 2008, ch. 478, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 383, § 1; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-2. Declaration of purpose.

The purpose of this chapter, is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of all persons dealing with those who are engaged in the vocation of contracting and to afford such persons an effective and practical protection against incompetent, inexperienced, unlawful and fraudulent acts of contractors.

HISTORY: Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 6; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 1988.

§ 31-3-3. Composition of board; removal; filling of vacancies.

There is hereby created the State Board of Contractors of the State of Mississippi, which shall consist of ten (10) members who shall be appointed by the Governor. All appointments to the board shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two (2) road contractors; two (2) building contractors; two (2) residential builders as defined in Section 73-59-1; one (1) plumbing or heating and air-conditioning contractor; one (1) electrical contractor; and one (1) water and sewer contractor shall compose the board. The Governor shall appoint one (1) additional member who shall be a roofing contractor and whose term of office shall be five (5) years. Each member shall be an actual resident of the State of Mississippi and must have been actually engaged in the contracting business for a period of not less than ten (10) years before appointment. The initial terms of the two (2) residential builders shall be for two (2) and four (4) years, respectively.

Upon the expiration of the term of office of any member of the board, the Governor shall appoint a new member for a term of five (5) years, such new appointments being made so as to maintain on the board two (2) building contractors; two (2) road contractors; two (2) residential builders; one (1) plumbing or heating and air-conditioning contractor; one (1) electrical contractor; and one (1) water and sewer contractor; and one (1) roofing contractor. The Governor shall fill any vacancy by appointment, such appointee to serve the balance of the term of the original appointee. The Governor may remove any member of the board for misconduct, incompetency or willful neglect of duty.

In the event the Governor fails to appoint a member of the board within twelve (12) months of the occurrence of the vacancy, such vacancy shall be filled by majority vote of the board, subject to advice and consent of the Senate and the requirements of this section.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-02; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 2; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 2; Laws, 1978, ch. 524, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 2; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 8; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 3; Laws, 1992, ch. 382, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 534, § 11; reenacted, Laws, 1995, ch. 431, § 11; reenacted without change, Laws, 2000, ch. 345, § 11; reenacted without change, Laws, 2005, ch. 375, § 11; reenacted without change, Laws, 2009, ch. 556, § 11; reenacted without change, Laws, 2011, ch. 433, § 11; reenacted and amended, Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-5. Organization and administration.

The board shall be assigned suitable office space at the seat of government and shall elect one (1) of its members as chairman and one (1) as vice chairman; and each shall perform the usual duties of such offices. The board may adopt a seal. Six (6) members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and voting at any meeting shall be necessary for the transaction of any business coming before the board. Members must be present to cast votes on any and all business. The executive director shall serve as secretary of the board. The board is authorized to employ such personnel as shall be necessary in the performance of its duties including sufficient administrative and clerical staff to process and review applications for certificates of responsibility, to prepare and administer tests therefor, to investigate applications for certificates of responsibility and to inspect work performed by contractors as may be necessary to enforce and carry out the purpose of this chapter.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-03; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 3; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 3; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 9; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 4; Laws, 1992, ch. 382, § 2; Laws, 1993, ch. 534, § 12; reenacted without change, Laws, 2000, ch. 345, § 12; reenacted without change, Laws, 2005, ch. 375, § 12; reenacted and amended, Laws, 2009, ch. 556, § 12; reenacted without change, Laws, 2011, ch. 433, § 12; reenacted without change, Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-7. Meetings.

The board shall have four (4) regular meetings in each year, one (1) on the second Wednesday in January, one (1) on the second Wednesday in April, one (1) on the second Wednesday in July, and one (1) on the second Wednesday in October, at its offices at the seat of government or through the means of teleconference or video conferencing in accordance with Section 25-41-5. If the regular meeting day falls on a legal holiday, the board shall meet on the next day. The board may hold such special meetings as it finds necessary. However, before any special meeting is held, a notice stating the time, place and primary purpose of such meeting shall be sent by certified or registered mail from the chairman or vice chairman of the board to the other members of the board at least five (5) days before such meeting. Certificates of responsibility shall be issued at any time during the course of a calendar year as prescribed by the rules and regulations of the board. All meetings shall be held in the State of Mississippi. At any regular or special meeting the board may recess from time to time to reconvene on a day and time fixed by an order of the board entered upon its minutes.

The holder of a valid certificate of responsibility shall disclose to the owner or other person with whom the holder is contracting at the signing of a contract or the initial agreement to perform work whether the holder carries general liability insurance. The disclosure shall be written, the structure and composition of which shall be determined by the State Board of Contractors, and shall be placed immediately before the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the purchaser. The disclosure shall be boldfaced and conspicuous type which is larger than the type of the remaining text of the contract.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-04; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 4; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 3; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 4; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 5; Laws, 1991, ch. 363 § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 525, § 1; brought forward without change, Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 4, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-9. Compensation of members.

The members of the board shall be entitled to receive a per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, when actually engaged in the business of the board, together with their actual and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred on behalf of board business, upon itemized statements of same as provided by general law in the case of other state employees. Such statements shall be paid only after the same have been approved by order on the minutes of the board.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-05; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 5; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 5; reenacted and amended, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 6, eff from and after July 1, 1988.

§ 31-3-11. Executive director.

The board shall elect and fix the salary of an executive director, and the board may terminate the employment of such executive director at any time the board deems the same advisable. The board shall require the executive director to file bond in such amount as the board may deem necessary, and shall specify the duties of such employee. The premium on any such bond shall be paid from the funds provided by this chapter.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-06; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 6; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 6; Reenacted without change, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 7; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 5, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-13. Powers and duties.

The board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

To receive applications for certificates of responsibility, to investigate and examine applicants for same by holding hearings and securing information, to conduct examinations, and to issue certificates of responsibility to such contractors as the board finds to be responsible.

All original certificates and renewals shall expire one (1) year from the date of issuance. Application for renewal of certificates of responsibility, together with the payment of a special privilege license tax as provided under this chapter, shall serve to extend the current certificate until the board either renews the certificate or denies the application.

No certificate of responsibility or any renewal thereof shall be issued until the applicant furnishes to the board his Mississippi state sales tax number or Mississippi state use tax number and his state income tax identification numbers.

Additional fees may be required as provided in Section 31-3-14.

The board shall conduct an objective, standardized examination of an applicant for a certificate to ascertain the ability of the applicant to make practical application of his knowledge of the profession or business of construction in the category or categories for which he has applied for a certificate of responsibility. The board may administer an oral examination to applicants who are unable to take the written examination. The cost of the test and the cost of administering the test shall be paid for by applicants for certificates of responsibility at the time applications are filed. The board shall investigate thoroughly the past record of all applicants, which will include an effort toward ascertaining the qualifications of applicants in reading plans and specifications, estimating costs, construction ethics, and other similar matters. The board shall take all applicants under consideration after having examined him or them and go thoroughly into the records and examinations, prior to granting any certificate of responsibility. If the applicant is an individual, examination may be taken by his personal appearance for examination or by the appearance for examination of one or more of his responsible managing employees; and if a copartnership or corporation or any other combination or organization, by the examination of one or more of the responsible managing officers or members of the executive staff of the applicant’s firm, according to its own designation, and such person shall be known as the qualifying party. A qualifying party may serve no more than three (3) separate entities as the qualifying party without first appearing before the board and being granted special permission.

To conduct thorough investigations of all applicants seeking renewal of their licenses and of all complaints filed with the board concerning the performance of a contractor on a public or private project.

To obtain information concerning the responsibility of any applicant for a certificate of responsibility or a holder of a certificate of responsibility under this chapter. Such information may be obtained by investigation, by hearings, or by any other reasonable and lawful means. The board shall keep such information appropriately filed and shall disseminate same to any interested person. The board shall have the power of subpoena.

To maintain a list of contractors to whom certificates of responsibility are issued, refused, revoked or suspended, which list shall be available to any interested person. Such list shall indicate the kind or kinds of works or projects for which a certificate of responsibility was issued, refused, revoked or suspended.

To issue a citation to anyone performing work without having a valid certificate of responsibility as required by this chapter.

To revoke by order entered on its minutes a certificate of responsibility upon a finding by the board that a particular contractor or qualifying party is not responsible, and to suspend such certificate of responsibility in particular cases pending investigation, upon cause to be stated in the board’s order of suspension. No such revocation or suspension shall be ordered without a hearing conducted upon not less than ten (10) days’ notice to such certificate holder by certified or registered mail, wherein the holder of the certificate of responsibility shall be given an opportunity to present all lawful evidence which he may offer.

To adopt rules and regulations setting forth the requirements for certificates of responsibility, the revocation or suspension thereof, and all other matters concerning same; rules and regulations governing the conduct of the business of the board and its employees; and such other rules and regulations as the board finds necessary for the proper administration of this chapter, including those for the conduct of its hearings on the revocation or suspension of certificates of responsibility. Such rules and regulations shall not conflict with the provisions of this chapter.

The board shall have the power and responsibility to classify the kind or kinds of works or projects that a contractor is qualified and entitled to perform under the certificate of responsibility issued to him. Such classification shall be specified in the certificate of responsibility.

The powers of the State Board of Contractors shall not extend to fixing a maximum limit in the bid amount of any contractor, or the bonding capacity, or a maximum amount of work which a contractor may have under contract at any time, except as stated in paragraph (a) of this section; and the Board of Contractors shall not have jurisdiction or the power or authority to determine the maximum bond a contractor may be capable of obtaining. The board, in determining the qualifications of any applicant for an original certificate of responsibility or any renewal thereof, shall, among other things, take into consideration the following: (i) experience and ability, (ii) character, (iii) the manner of performance of previous contracts, (iv) financial condition, (v) equipment, (vi) personnel, (vii) work completed, (viii) work on hand, (ix) ability to perform satisfactorily work under contract at the time of an application for a certificate of responsibility or a renewal thereof, (x) default in complying with provisions of this law, or any other law of the state, and (xi) the results of objective, standardized examinations. A record shall be made and preserved by the board of each examination of an applicant and the findings of the board thereon, and a certified copy of the record and findings shall be furnished to any applicant desiring to appeal from any order or decision of the board.

The board shall enter upon its minutes an order or decision upon each application filed with it, and it may state in such order or decision the reason or reasons for its order or decision.

Upon failure of the board to enter an order or decision upon its minutes as to any application within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of filing such application, the applicant shall have the right of appeal as otherwise provided by this chapter.

The holder of a valid certificate of responsibility shall disclose to the owner or other person with whom the holder is contracting at the signing of a contract or the initial agreement to perform work whether the holder carries general liability insurance. The disclosure shall be written, the structure and composition of which shall be determined by the State Board of Contractors, and shall be placed immediately before the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the purchaser. The disclosure shall be boldfaced and conspicuous type which is larger than the type of the remaining text of the contract.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-07; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 7; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 4; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 7; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 10; Laws, 1986, ch. 378; reenacted and amended, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 8; Laws, 1998, ch. 415, § 4; Laws, 2010, ch. 364, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 525, § 2; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 6, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-14. Certificate of responsibility application and renewal fees; Construction Education Fund; creation; distribution of monies; restrictions; reports.

1. In addition to the fees required for application and renewal for certification and registration of all contractors in Section 31-3-13, all holders of a certificate of responsibility shall pay a fee equal to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) at the time of application or renewal of certificates of responsibility. Any residential builder licensed under the provisions of Section 73-59-1 et seq. shall be exempt from the fee imposed under this section. The revenue derived from such additional fees shall be deposited into a fund to be known as the “Construction Education Fund,” a special fund created in the State Treasury, and distributed by the State Board of Contractors created in Section 31-3-3, to the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation, public high schools and community colleges that participate in the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation’s “school-to-work” program, state universities that have construction technology programs, the Mississippi Housing Institute and certain construction educational trusts approved by the State Board of Contractors in the manner hereinafter provided to offer courses for construction education and construction craft training to meet the needs of the construction industry of the State of Mississippi.
2. The State Board of Contractors shall, on an annual basis, solicit from the Mississippi state institutions of higher learning, all the public community and junior colleges, the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation, public high schools that participate in the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation’s “school-to-work” program and certain construction educational trusts, applications for the use of such funds in construction education and craft training programs in a manner prescribed by the board. The board may appoint a technical advisory committee to advise the board on the most needed areas of construction education and craft training, continuing education or research relating to the construction education and craft training in the state, based on significant changes in the construction industry’s practices, economic development or on problems costing public or private contractors substantial waste. The board shall ensure that the monies distributed from this fund are properly spent to promote construction education and craft training in programs in the state which are approved by the board. At least seventy-five percent (75%) of the monies distributed by the board, pursuant to this section, must be used for construction craft training with the exception of the Mississippi Housing Institute.
3. Each university, junior college, community college, the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation, public high school that participates in the foundation’s “school-to-work” program and construction educational trust receiving funds pursuant to this section for construction education or construction craft training programs shall utilize such funds only for construction education and craft training curricula and program development, faculty development, equipment, student scholarships, student assistantships, and for continuing education programs related to construction education and craft training. Such funds shall not be commingled with the normal operating funds of the educational institution, regardless of the source of such funds.
4. The State Board of Contractors shall ensure the distribution of reports and the availability of construction education programs established pursuant to this section to all segments of the construction industry that are subject to the fee provided under this section. The board shall cause a report to be made to the Legislature in October of each year, summarizing the allocation of funds by institution or program and summarizing the new projects funded and the status of previously funded projects.
5. All monies deposited into the Construction Education Fund shall be used exclusively for construction education and craft training, and any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund of the State Treasury but shall be available for construction education and craft training in subsequent fiscal years.
6. All monies deposited into the Construction Education Fund collected from residential builders licensed under the provisions of Section 73-59-1 et seq. shall be used exclusively for licensed home builders’ education and professional development and any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund of the State Treasury but shall be available for construction education and craft training in subsequent fiscal years.
7. All expenditures from the Construction Education Fund shall be by requisition to the State Auditor, signed by the executive director of the board and countersigned by the chairman or vice chairman of the board, and the State Treasurer shall issue his warrants thereon.

HISTORY: Laws, 1998, ch. 415, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 507, § 1; Laws, 2001, ch. 372, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 368, § 1; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 7, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-15. Certificates of responsibility required for bid.

No contract for public or private projects shall be issued or awarded to any contractor who did not have a current certificate of responsibility issued by said board at the time of the submission of the bid, or a similar certificate issued by a similar board of another state which recognizes certificates issued by said board. Any contract issued or awarded in violation of this section shall be null and void.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-08; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 8; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 5; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 8; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 11; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 9, eff from and after July 1, 1988.

§ 31-3-17. Special privilege license tax; State Board of Contractors Fund.

There is hereby levied, in addition to any taxes otherwise provided for by law, a special privilege license tax of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) on each contractor who applies for a certificate of responsibility issued under this chapter; and such tax shall be paid to the executive director of the board upon making such application in this state. The board may levy an additional special privilege license tax not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each additional classification for which a contractor applies and is found to be qualified. The executive director of the board shall promptly deposit all monies received under this chapter in the State Treasury. Except for the civil penalty provided in Section 31-3-21 which shall be deposited into the State General Fund and the fee provided in Section 31-3-14, all monies received under this chapter shall be kept in a special fund in the State Treasury known as the “State Board of Contractors Fund,” and shall be used only for the purposes of this chapter. Such monies shall not lapse at the end of each fiscal year, but all monies in such State Board of Contractors Fund in excess of the sum of fifty percent (50%) of the approved budget for the fiscal year shall be paid over into the General Fund of the State Treasury. All expenditures from the Board of Contractors Fund shall be by requisition to the State Auditor, signed by the executive director of the board and countersigned by the chairman or vice chairman of the board, and the State Treasurer shall issue warrants thereon.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-10; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 10; Laws, 1970, ch. 527, § 1; Laws, 1971, ch. 374, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 9; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 12; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 10; Laws, 1992, ch. 505, § 3; Laws, 1998, ch. 415, § 2; Laws, 2004, ch. 358, § 2; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 8, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-19. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 2004, ch. 346, § 2.

[Codes, 1942, § 8968-09; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 9; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 6; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 10; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 11, eff from and after July 1, 1988.]

§ 31-3-21. Bidding and awards.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person who does not hold a certificate of responsibility issued under this chapter to submit a bid, enter into a contract, or otherwise engage in or continue in this state in the business of a contractor, as defined in this chapter. Any bid which is submitted without a certificate of responsibility number issued under this chapter and without that number appearing on the exterior of the bid envelope, as and if herein required, at the time designated for the opening of such bid, shall not be considered further, and the person or public agency soliciting bids shall not enter into a contract with a contractor submitting a bid in violation of this section. In addition, any person violating this section by knowingly and willfully submitting a bid for projects without holding a certificate of responsibility number issued under this chapter, as and if herein required, at the time of the submission or opening of such bid shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
2. All bids submitted for public or private projects where the bid is in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) shall contain on the outside or exterior of the envelope or container of such bid the contractor’s current certificate number, and no bid shall be opened or considered unless such contractor’s current certificate number appears on the outside or exterior of said envelope or container, or unless there appears a statement on the outside or exterior of such envelope or container to the effect that the bid enclosed therewith did not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) with respect to public or private projects. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
3. In the letting of public contracts preference shall be given to resident contractors, and a nonresident bidder domiciled in a state having laws granting preference to local contractors shall be awarded Mississippi public contracts only on the same basis as the nonresident bidder’s state awards contracts to Mississippi contractors bidding under similar circumstances; and resident contractors actually domiciled in Mississippi, be they corporate, individuals, or partnerships, are to be granted preference over nonresidents in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident. When a nonresident contractor submits a bid for a public project, he shall attach thereto a copy of his resident state’s current preference law, if any, pertaining to such state’s treatment of nonresident contractors. Any bid submitted by a nonresident contractor which does not include the nonresident contractor’s current state law shall be rejected and not considered for award. As used in this section, the term “resident contractors” includes a nonresident person, firm or corporation that has been qualified to do business in this state and has maintained a permanent full-time office in the State of Mississippi for two (2) years prior to submission of the bid and the subsidiaries and affiliates of such a person, firm or corporation. Any public agency awarding a contract shall promptly report to the Department of Revenue the following information:
   1. The amount of the contract.
   2. The name and address of the contractor reviewing the contract.
   3. The name and location of the project.
4. In addition to any other penalties provided in this chapter, and upon a finding of a violation of this chapter, the State Board of Contractors may, after notice and hearing, issue an order of abatement directing the contractor to cease all actions constituting violations of this chapter until such time as the contractor complies with Mississippi state law, and to pay to the board a civil penalty to be deposited into the State Board of Contractors’ Fund, created in Section 31-3-17, of not more than three percent (3%) of the total contract being performed by the contractor. In addition to, or in lieu of, such civil penalty, the board may issue a public or private reprimand. The funds collected from civil penalty payments shall be used by the State Board of Contractors for enforcement and education.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-11; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 11; Laws, 1960, ch. 393, § 7; Laws, 1968, ch. 511, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 11; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 13; reenacted and amended, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 12; Laws, 1992, ch. 505, § 2; Laws, 1999, ch. 363, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 383, § 2; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 9, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-23. Appeals.

Within ten (10) days after any order, judgment or action of the board, any person aggrieved thereby may appeal such order, judgment or action either to the chancery court of the county wherein the appellant resides or to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, upon giving bond with sufficient security in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), approved by the clerk of the chancery court and conditioned to pay any costs which may be adjudged against such person. In lieu of the bond, the appellant may post Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) with the clerk of the chancery court and conditioned to pay any costs which may be adjudged against such person.

Notice of appeal shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the chancery court, who shall issue a writ of certiorari directed to the board commanding it within forty-five (45) days after service thereof to certify to such court its entire record in the matter in which the appeal has been taken. The appeal shall thereupon be heard in due course by the court, and the court shall review the record and shall affirm or reverse the judgment. If the judgment is reversed, the chancery court or chancellor shall render such order or judgment as the board ought to have rendered, and certify the same to the board; and costs shall be awarded as in other cases.

Appeals may be had to the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi as provided by law from any final action of the chancery court. The board may employ counsel to defend such appeals, to be paid out of the funds in the State Board of Contractors Fund.

On appeal, any order, judgment or action of the board revoking a certificate of responsibility or residential license shall remain in full force unless the chancery court or Supreme Court reverses such order, judgment or action of the board.

The remedies provided under this chapter for any aggrieved person shall not be exclusive, but shall be cumulative of and supplemental to any other remedies which he may otherwise have in law or in equity, whether by injunction or otherwise.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 8968-12; Laws, 1958, ch. 473, § 12; Laws, 1980, ch. 498, § 12; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 14; reenacted, Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 13; Laws, 2015, ch. 410, § 10, eff from and after July 1, 2015.

§ 31-3-25. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1988, ch. 527, § 14, eff from and after July 1, 1988.

[En Laws, 1979, ch. 301, § 30; 1985, ch. 505, § 15]

§ 31-5-1. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws 1980, ch. 520, § 5, eff from and after April 1, 1981.

[Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp, § 2447a; 1930, § 5971; 1942, § 9014; Laws, 1918, ch. 217]

§ 31-5-3. Bond for payment of taxes, licenses, etc.

Any person, firm or corporation entering into a formal contract with this state, any county thereof, municipality therein, or any public board, department, commission, or political subdivision of this state, for the construction or maintenance of public buildings, works or projects or the doing of repairs to any public building, works or projects shall be required before commencing same to execute the usual bond with good and sufficient sureties, as required by law, with the additional obligation that such contractor shall promptly make payment of all taxes, licenses, assessments, contributions, damages, penalties, and interest thereon, when and as the same may lawfully be due this state, or any county, municipality, board, department, commission or political subdivision thereof, by reason of and directly connected with the performance of such contract or any part thereof.

In default of the prompt payment of all such taxes, licenses, assessments, contributions, damages, penalties and interest thereon as may be due by any such contractor, a direct proceeding on said bond may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction by the proper officer or agency having lawful authority so to do to enforce such payment, the right to so proceed being cumulative and in addition to such other remedies as may be provided by law.

Nothing in this section shall be so construed as to repeal in any respect the provisions of any law having for its purpose the protection and enforcement of claims by persons furnishing labor or materials.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9014-01; Laws, 1944, ch. 145, §§ 1-3.

§§ 31-5-5 through 31-5-13. Repealed.

[Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. §§ 2447d to 2447f; 1930, §§ 5972-5976; 1942, §§ 9015-9019; Laws, 1918, ch. 217; 1962, ch. 333]

Repealed by Laws, 1980, ch. 520, § 5, eff from and after April 1, 1981.

§ 31-5-15. Withdrawal by contractor of amounts retained on public contracts by furnishing different security.

Under any public contract heretofore or hereafter made or awarded by the State of Mississippi, or any agency or department of the State of Mississippi, or by any political subdivision thereof, the contractor may, with the written consent of his or its surety, from time to time, withdraw the whole or any portion of the amount retained from payments due the contractor pursuant to the terms of the contract by depositing with the State Treasurer of the State of Mississippi, or the treasurer or secretary of the political subdivision of the State of Mississippi holding funds belonging to the contractor, the following security, or any combination thereof in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount so withdrawn, said securities to be accepted at the time of deposit at market value but not in excess of par value, to wit:

1. U. S. Treasury Bonds, U. S. Treasury Notes, U. S. Treasury Certificates of Indebtedness, or U. S. Treasury Bills, or
2. Bonds or notes of the State of Mississippi, or
3. Bonds of any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, or
4. Certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks located in the State of Mississippi, provided that such certificate is negotiable or is accompanied by a power of attorney executed by the owner of the certificate in favor of the Treasurer of the State of Mississippi or of the treasurer or the secretary of the political subdivision involved, or
5. Certificates of deposit issued by savings and loan associations located in the State of Mississippi, the accounts of which are insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, or whose accounts are insured by a company approved by the State Board of Savings and Loan Associations, provided that such certificate is made payable with accrued interest on demand and is accompanied by a power of attorney executed by the owner of the certificate in favor of the Treasurer of the State of Mississippi or the treasurer or secretary of the political subdivision involved, and provided that any such certificate from any of the savings and loan associations referred to in this subparagraph shall not be for an amount in excess of the maximum dollar amount of coverage of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.

   The agency or department of the state shall notify the State Treasurer of the amount of deposit required and shall also notify the State Treasurer when to release the deposit. The political subdivision of the state shall notify its treasurer or secretary of the amount of deposit required and shall also notify him when to release the deposit.

   The State Treasurer, or the secretary or treasurer of the political subdivision holding said security, shall, from time to time, collect all interest or income on the security so deposited and shall, by and with the written consent of contractor’s surety, pay the same when and as collected to the contractor or contractors who deposited said obligations. If the deposit be in the form of coupon bonds, the coupons as they respectively become due shall be delivered to the contractor.

   If in the event of an overpayment to a contractor the contracting authority is unable to obtain reimbursement for such overpayments from the contractor, the chief administrative officer of the contracting authority shall notify the contractor, its surety and the State Treasurer or other holder of the security, of the nature of the overpayment and of the failure to obtain reimbursement. Upon such notification, the security holder shall retain the income on the deposited security until an amount equal to the overpayment is accumulated and paid to the contracting authority.

   In the event the contractor shall default in the performance of the contract or any portion thereof, the securities deposited by him in lieu of retainage and all interest and coupons and income accruing on said securities after said default may be sold by the state or any agency or department thereof, or any political subdivision, and the proceeds of said sale used as if such proceeds represented the retainage provided for under the contract.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9022.5; Laws, 1971, ch. 516, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1971; Laws, 1992, ch. 364, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1992.

§ 31-5-17. Resident labor used on public works.

Every public officer, contractor, superintendent, or agent engaged in or in charge of the construction of any state or public building or public work of any kind for the State of Mississippi or for any board, city commission, governmental agency, or municipality of the State of Mississippi shall employ only workmen and laborers who have actually resided in Mississippi for two (2) years next preceding such employment.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9020; Laws, 1932, ch. 317; Laws, 1938, ch. 359.

§ 31-5-19. Procedure if resident labor not available.

In the event workmen or laborers qualified under the provisions of Section 31-5-17 are not available, then the contractor, officer, superintendent, agent, or person in charge of such work shall notify in writing the mayor of the city in which said work is being done, the president of the board of supervisors of the county in which said work is being done, the Governor where said work is being done for the State of Mississippi, and the president, chairman, or executive officer of such board, city commission, or governmental agency for which said work is being done, of such fact. Unless the mayor, Governor, president, executive officer, or chairman aforesaid, as the case may be, shall forthwith supply such contractor, officer, superintendent, agent, or person in charge of said works with the satisfactory workmen or laborers needed, said contractor, officer, superintendent, agent, or person shall be authorized to employ workmen or laborers who are not qualified under the provisions of Section 31-5-17 to make up the deficiency. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the State of Mississippi, any county, municipality, board, or commission from placing or letting any contract for the erection or construction of any public building or public work in the open market, or soliciting bids from persons, firms, or corporations without the State of Mississippi. Any person, persons, firm, or corporation from without the State of Mississippi that may obtain such contracts for public buildings or public works shall comply with the provisions of Section 31-5-17 upon undertaking the said contract or work.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9021; Laws, 1932, ch. 317; Laws, 1938, ch. 359.

§ 31-5-21. Penalty.

Any contractor, officer, superintendent, agent, or person in charge of said work who shall violate any of the provisions of Section 31-5-17, shall be liable upon conviction before a court of competent jurisdiction to a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or to imprisonment of not more than sixty (60) days, or both at the discretion of the court; and every day’s employment of each workman or laborer in such violation shall constitute a separate offense.

However, where any workman or laborer furnishes such employer with a certificate by the sheriff, chancery clerk, or county registrar of the county of his domicile to the effect that such workman or laborer has actually resided in this state two (2) years next preceding such employment, such employer, acting in good faith, shall be relieved of any liability by reason of employing such person.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9022; Laws, 1932, ch. 317; Laws, 1938, ch. 359.

§ 31-5-23. State products used in public works.

In the construction of any building, highway, road, bridge, or other public work or improvement by the State of Mississippi or any of its political subdivisions or municipalities, only materials grown, produced, prepared, made and/or manufactured within the State of Mississippi should be used. Paint, varnish and lacquer shall be used which shall contain as vehicles tung oil and either ester gum or modified resin (with rosin as the principal base of constituents), and turpentine shall be used as solvent or thinner, all of which said products shall be produced in Mississippi. However, preference shall not be given to materials grown, produced, prepared, made and/or manufactured in the State of Mississippi when other materials of like quality produced without the State of Mississippi may be purchased or secured at less cost, or any other materials of better quality produced without the State of Mississippi can be secured at a reasonable cost.

The duty is hereby enjoined upon all public officers or bodies having the right to contract for the purchase of materials for any such public work to be paid for by the State of Mississippi or any of its political subdivisions or municipalities to faithfully observe the provisions of this section.

All contracts hereafter let to any person, firm or corporation for the construction or doing of any public work shall contain a provision enjoining a like duty upon the contractor with respect to the purchase of materials as would have rested upon the public officer or body letting the contract had he or it done the work and purchased the materials.

Nothing herein shall in any manner apply to any public work or improvement which will be paid for either in whole or in part by funds contributed either directly or indirectly by the United States.

This section is declaratory of public policy of the State of Mississippi.

The boards of supervisors of the State of Mississippi are hereby enjoined, in the letting of contracts in pursuance to Section 65-9-19, to use any and all low gravity oil from the various oil fields in this state in the construction, maintenance, and upkeep of the rural roads, and to faithfully observe the provisions hereof.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023; Laws, 1932, ch. 330; Laws, 1950, ch. 392, § 1.

§ 31-5-25. Time for full and final payment to contractors; exemptions; monthly submission by contractors of proof of payments to subcontractors.

1. All sums due contractors under all public construction contracts shall be paid as follows:
   1. Partial, progress or interim payments: All partial, progress or interim payments or monies owed contractors shall be paid when due and payable under the terms of the contract. If they are not paid within forty-five (45) calendar days from the day they were due and payable, then they shall bear interest from the due date until paid at the rate of one percent (1%) per month until fully paid.
   2. Final payments: The final payment of all monies owed contractors shall be due and payable:
      1. At the completion of the project or after the work has been substantially completed in accordance with the terms and provisions of the contract;
      2. When the owner beneficially uses or occupies the project except in the case where the project involves renovation or alteration to an existing facility in which the owner maintains beneficial use or occupancy during the course of the project;
      3. When the project is certified as having been completed by the architect or engineer authorized to make such certification; or
      4. When the project is certified as having been completed by the contracting authority representing the State of Mississippi or any of its political subdivisions, whichever event shall first occur.

      If the contractor is not paid in full within forty-five (45) calendar days from the first occurrence of one (1) of the above-mentioned events, then said final payment shall bear interest from the date of said first occurrence at the rate of one percent (1%) per month until fully paid.

      In no event shall said final payment due the contractor be made until the consent of the contractor’s surety has been obtained in writing and delivered to the proper contracting authority.

   3. [Repealed]
2. Contractors shall submit monthly certification to the project engineer or architect indicating payments to subcontractors on prior payment request.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9022.7; Laws, 1972, ch. 534, § 1; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 1; Laws, 1994 Ex Sess, ch. 26, § 20; Laws, 2002, ch. 519, § 1; Laws, 2006, ch. 331, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2006.

§ 31-5-27. Payment of interest on delinquent accounts.

When a contractor receives any payment under a public construction contract, the contractor shall, upon receipt of that payment, pay each subcontractor and material supplier in proportion to the percentage of work completed by each subcontractor and material supplier. If for any reason the contractor receives less than the full payment due under the public construction contract, the contractor shall be obligated to disburse on a pro rata basis those funds received, with the contractor, subcontractors and material suppliers each receiving a prorated portion based on the amount due on the payment. If the contractor without reasonable cause fails to make any payment to his subcontractors and material suppliers within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of payment under the public construction contract, the contractor shall pay to his subcontractors and material suppliers, in addition to the payment due them, a penalty in the amount of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) per day of the delinquency, calculated from the expiration of the 15-day period until fully paid. The total penalty shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding balance due.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9022.8; Laws, 1972, ch. 534, § 2; Laws, 1985, ch. 505, § 2, eff from and after January 1, 1986.

§ 31-5-29. Applicability of Sections 31-5-25, 31-5-27.

Sections 31-5-25 and 31-5-27, shall apply as to all public construction contracts entered into by all state agencies, commissions, boards and districts and by all municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions of the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9022.9; Laws, 1972, ch. 534, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 1972.

§ 31-5-31. Provider to subcontractor of equipment used in road construction contract shall notify general contractor of payments not timely made.

Any person, firm or corporation who leases, rents or sells to any subcontractor any equipment to be used in a road construction contract, wherein a performance and payment bond is required of the general contractor, shall notify the general contractor involved in such contract that credit is being extended by them to the subcontractor and stating the terms of the credit agreement. In the event the subcontractor does not meet his payment obligations as set forth in the credit agreement, the creditor shall notify the general contractor of the nonpayment within thirty (30) days after such payment is due. The creditor shall notify the general contractor upon receipt of any payment which had been reported as past due.

Failure of the creditor to comply with the nonpayment notice provision of this section shall void the terms of the general contractor’s performance and payment bond as to such creditor for such equipment leased, rented or sold.

HISTORY: Laws, 1976, ch. 378, eff from and after July 1, 1976.

§ 31-5-33. Amount of retainage which may be withheld; exemptions.

1. In any contract for the construction, repair, alteration or demolition of any building, structure or facility awarded by the State of Mississippi, or any agency, unit or department of the State of Mississippi, or by any political subdivision thereof, which contract provides for progress payments in installments based upon an estimated percentage of completion with a percentage of the contract proceeds to be retained by the state agency, unit or department, or by the political subdivision or contractor pending completion of the contract, such retainage shall be five percent (5%), and the amount retained by the prime contractor from each payment due the subcontractor shall not exceed the percentage withheld by the state, or any agency, unit or department of the state, or by any political subdivision thereof, from the prime contractor.

   On any contract as described herein, of which the total amount is Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) or greater, or on any contract with a subcontractor, regardless of amount, five percent (5%) shall be retained until the work is at least fifty percent (50%) complete, on schedule and satisfactory in the architect’s and/or engineer’s opinion, at which time fifty percent (50%) of the retainage held to date shall be returned to the prime contractor for distribution to the appropriate subcontractors and suppliers. Provided, however, that future retainage shall be withheld at the rate of two and one-half percent (21/2%).

2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts let by the Mississippi Transportation Commission for the construction, improvement or maintenance of roads and bridges.

HISTORY: Laws, 1979, ch. 454, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 406, § 1; Laws, 2002, ch. 519, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2002.

§ 31-5-35. Public employees prohibited from requiring bidder on public contract to obtain surety bonds from any particular company, agent, or broker.

No state, county, or municipal employee, and no person acting or purporting to act on behalf of such employee, or any state, county or municipal agency, shall, with respect to any public building or construction contract which is about to be or which has been competitively bid or negotiated, require the bidder to make application to or furnish financial data to, or to obtain or procure any of the surety bonds, or surety bond components of wrap-up insurance, that is specified in connection with such contract or specified by any law, from any particular insurance or surety company, agent or broker.

HISTORY: Laws, 2001, ch. 326, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2001.

§ 31-5-37. Contractors submitting bids for public works projects utilizing specified funding required to submit employment plan with bid; contents of plan; review of individuals for vacant positions.

1. All public works projects utilizing funds received by state or local governmental entities resulting from a federally declared disaster or a spill of national significance, including damages, penalties, fines or supplemental projects paid or financed by responsible parties pursuant to a court order, negotiated settlement, or other instrument, including under any law distributing such fines and penalties including the federal Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economy of the Gulf Coast Act of 2011 (R.E.S.T.O.R.E.), the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or similar legislation, shall be subject to the hiring policies established by this section.
2. Contractors submitting bids for public works projects that involve an expenditure of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or more and that are financed, in whole or in part, through the use of funds described in subsection (1) of this section shall submit with their bid a certification that they will comply with the provisions of this section if they are awarded a contract. The contractor shall submit to the agency or governing authority that solicited the bid and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security an employment plan within seven (7) days after the award of the contract which shall include the following:
   1. The types of jobs involved in the public works project;
   2. The skill level of the jobs involved in the project;
   3. Wage information on the jobs involved in the project;
   4. The number of vacant positions that the contractor and any subcontractor needs to fill;
   5. How the contractor and any subcontractor will recruit, low-wage and unemployed individuals for job vacancies;
   6. Such other information as may be required by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security; and
   7. Proof of registration with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security for taxation in accordance with the provisions of Title 71.
3. From the date written notice of the contract award is received and until ten (10) business days after the receipt of the employment plan by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the contractor and any subcontractor shall not hire any personnel to fill vacant positions necessary for the public works project except residents of the State of Mississippi who are to be verified by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and/or those qualified individuals who are submitted by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. For purposes of this subsection, the contractor or subcontractor is authorized to employ Mississippi residents to begin work immediately, and such persons are to be verified by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security after employment by the contractor or subcontractor. During the ten-day period the Mississippi Department of Employment Security shall submit qualified individuals to the contractor to consider for the vacant positions. The contractor shall review the individuals submitted by the department before hiring individuals who are not submitted by the department. The contract award shall be vacated if the contractor fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

HISTORY: Laws, 2012, ch. 505, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 479, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved April 1, 2013).

§ 31-5-41. “Hold harmless” clauses in construction contracts are void; exceptions.

With respect to all public or private contracts or agreements, for the construction, alteration, repair or maintenance of buildings, structures, highway bridges, viaducts, water, sewer or gas distribution systems, or other work dealing with construction, or for any moving, demolition or excavation connected therewith, every covenant, promise and/or agreement contained therein to indemnify or hold harmless another person from that person’s own negligence is void as against public policy and wholly unenforceable.

This section does not apply to construction bonds or insurance contracts or agreements.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 278.9; Laws, 1972, ch. 400, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved April 27, 1972).

§ 31-5-51. Performance and payment bonds; persons entitled to sue on payment bond; proof of general liability insurance required before entering into certain contracts with state or local governments.

1. Any person entering into a formal contract with the state or any county, city or political subdivision thereof, or other public authority for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public building or public work, before entering into such contract, shall furnish to such public body, except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, bonds with good and sufficient surety as follows:
   1. A performance bond payable to, in favor of or for the protection of such public body, as owner, for the work to be done in an amount not less than the amount of the contract, conditioned for the full and faithful performance of the contract;
   2. A payment bond payable to such public body but conditioned for the prompt payment of all persons supplying labor or material used in the prosecution of the work under said contract, for the use of each such person, in an amount not less than the amount of the contract; and
   3. The bonds herein provided for may be made by any surety company which is authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi and listed on the United States Treasury Department’s list of acceptable sureties, or such bonds may be guaranteed by a personal surety as provided for herein. The personal surety shall deposit with the State Treasurer cash or certificates of deposit in an amount not less than the amount of the contract, and the State Treasurer shall hold same in trust and on deposit for the benefit of the public body that is a party to the contract providing for the construction, alteration or repair of the public building or for the public work.
2. Every person who has furnished labor or material used in the prosecution of the work provided for in such contract, in respect of which a payment bond is furnished and who has not been paid in full therefor before the expiration of a period of ninety (90) days after the date on which the last of the labor was performed by him or the last of the materials was furnished by him and for which such claim is made, provided the same has been approved, where required, by the public authority or its architect or engineers, or such approval is being withheld as a result of unreasonable acts of the contractor, shall have the right to sue on such payment bond for the amount, or the balance thereof that is due and payable, but unpaid at the time of institution of such suit and to prosecute said action to final execution and judgment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the amount claimed in such action is subject to contractual provisions or conditions, between the parties involved in such action, the action shall be abated pending the performance of such provisions and the fulfillment of such conditions.
3. Any person having direct contractual relationship with a subcontractor but no contractual relationship express or implied with the contractor furnishing said payment bond shall have a right of action upon the said payment bond upon giving written notice to said contractor within ninety (90) days from the date on which such person did or performed the last of the labor or furnished or supplied the last of the material for which such claim is made, stating with substantial accuracy the amount claimed and the name of the party to whom the material was furnished or supplied or for whom the labor was done or performed. Such notice shall be given in writing by the claimant to the contractor or surety at any place where the contractor or surety maintains an office or conducts business. Such notice may be personally delivered by the claimant to the contractor or surety, or it may be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the contractor or surety. No such action may be maintained by any person not having a direct contractual relationship with the contractor-principal, unless the notice required by this section shall have been given.
4. The only persons protected by such payment bond, subject to the notice provisions of this section are:
   1. Subcontractors and material suppliers of the contractor;
   2. Sub-subcontractors and material suppliers of those subcontractors named in subsection (4)(a) of this section; and
   3. Laborers who have performed work on the project site.
5. Whenever a contract is less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) the owners may elect to make a lump sum payment at the completion of the job. Lump sum payments will not be made until completion and acceptance by the governing agency. In such a case a performance bond or payment bond will not be required.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1)(c) for a personal surety, no surety or surety company shall be allowed to guarantee or write bonds for the benefit of the public body that is a party to a contract providing for the construction, alteration or repair of a public building or for public work, unless that surety is listed on the United States Treasury Department’s list of acceptable sureties. If the surety is not listed on the United States Treasury Department’s list of acceptable sureties, the public body for which the public work is being performed shall be liable to the extent that the surety would be liable.
7. Any person entering into a formal contract with the state which exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or with a county, city or other public authority which exceeds Twenty-five Thousand dollars ($25,000.00), for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public building or public work, before entering into such contract, shall furnish to the public body proof of general liability insurance coverage in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for bodily injury and property damage. Exempted from the provisions of this subsection are any persons who enter into a contract with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for the construction, alteration or repair of the home of a disabled individual who has been determined eligible for services by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 520, § 1; Laws, 1982, ch. 352; Laws, 1994, ch. 626, § 6; Laws, 2000, ch. 409, § 1; Laws, 2001, ch. 416, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 13, 2001.).

§ 31-5-52. Performance and payment bonds required when using design-build or construction manager at risk methods of project delivery.

The use of either the design-build method of project delivery as provided in Section 31-7-13.1 or the construction manager at risk method of project delivery as provided in Section 31-7-13.2 must comply with the provisions of Section 31-5-51.

HISTORY: Laws, 2007, ch. 494, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 2007.

§ 31-5-53. Time for bringing suit on bond; venue.

When suit is instituted on a performance bond given in accordance with this chapter, it shall be commenced within one (1) year after the obligee shall have made final payment on the contract; provided, however, if the contract is abandoned by the general contractor as bond principal or is terminated by the bond obligee, suit shall be commenced within one (1) year after the earlier of the abandonment by the bond principal or termination by the bond obligee.

When suit is instituted on a payment bond given in accordance with this chapter, it shall be commenced within one (1) year after the day on which the last of the labor was performed or material was supplied by the person bringing the action and not later.

Any suit brought on a performance or payment bond given in accordance with this chapter shall be brought in the county in which the contract or some part thereof was performed or in the county in which service of process may be obtained upon either the principal or the surety on such bond.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 520, § 2; Laws, 1994, ch. 626, § 4; Laws, 2004, ch. 452, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2004.

§ 31-5-55. Persons entitled to copies of contract and bond.

Any person supplying labor or materials for the prosecution of the work shall, upon request to the obligee, be furnished with a certified copy of the contract and bonds.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 520, § 3, eff from and after April 1, 1981.

§ 31-5-57. Award of attorney’s fees.

Whenever any person supplying labor or material in the prosecution of the work brings an action on such payment bond and the trial judge finds that the defense raised to such action by the contractor or surety was not reasonable, or not in good faith, or merely for the purpose of delaying payment, then the trial judge may, in his discretion, award the claimant a reasonable amount to be determined by the trial judge as claimant’s attorney’s fees in bringing such successful action. Likewise, if the trial judge finds that such action was brought by claimant without just cause or in bad faith, the trial judge may, in his discretion, award the contractor or surety a reasonable amount to be determined by the trial judge as attorney’s fees for defending such action; provided, however, this section shall not affect the right of any person to recover attorney’s fees where provided by contract or bond.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 520, § 4, eff from and after April 1, 1981.

§ 31-7-1. Definitions.

The following terms are defined for the purposes of this chapter to have the following meanings:

“Agency” means any state board, commission, committee, council, university, department or unit thereof created by the Constitution or statutes if such board, commission, committee, council, university, department, unit or the head thereof is authorized to appoint subordinate staff by the Constitution or statute, except a legislative or judicial board, commission, committee, council, department or unit thereof; except a charter school authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board; and except the Mississippi State Port Authority. An academic medical center or health sciences school as defined in Section 37-115-50 is not an “agency” for those purchases of commodities as defined in this section that are used for clinical purposes and (i) intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, and (ii) medical devices, biological, drugs and radiation emitting devices as defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

“Governing authority” means boards of supervisors, governing boards of all school districts, all boards of directors of public water supply districts, boards of directors of master public water supply districts, municipal public utility commissions, governing authorities of all municipalities, port authorities, Mississippi State Port Authority, commissioners and boards of trustees of any public hospitals, boards of trustees of public library systems, district attorneys, school attendance officers and any political subdivision of the state supported wholly or in part by public funds of the state or political subdivisions thereof, including commissions, boards and agencies created or operated under the authority of any county or municipality of this state. The term “governing authority” shall not include economic development authorities supported in part by private funds, or commissions appointed to hold title to and oversee the development and management of lands and buildings which are donated by private individuals to the public for the use and benefit of the community and which are supported in part by private funds. The term “governing authority” also shall not include the governing board of a charter school.

“Purchasing agent” means any administrator, superintendent, purchase clerk or other chief officer so designated having general or special authority to negotiate for and make private contract for or purchase for any governing authority or agency, including issue purchase orders, invitations for bid, requests for proposals, and receive and accept bids.

“Public funds” means and includes any appropriated funds, special funds, fees or any other emoluments received by an agency or governing authority.

“Commodities” means and includes the various commodities, goods, merchandise, furniture, equipment, automotive equipment of every kind, and other personal property purchased by the agencies of the state and governing authorities, but not commodities purchased for resale or raw materials converted into products for resale.

“Equipment” shall be construed to include: automobiles, trucks, tractors, office appliances and all other equipment of every kind and description.

“Furniture” shall be construed to include: desks, chairs, tables, seats, filing cabinets, bookcases and all other items of a similar nature as well as dormitory furniture, appliances, carpets and all other items of personal property generally referred to as home, office or school furniture.

“Emergency” means any circumstances caused by fire, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake, epidemic, riot, insurrection or caused by any inherent defect due to defective construction, or when the immediate preservation of order or of public health is necessary by reason of unforeseen emergency, or when the immediate restoration of a condition of usefulness of any public building, equipment, road or bridge appears advisable, or in the case of a public utility when there is a failure of any machine or other thing used and useful in the generation, production or distribution of electricity, water or natural gas, or in the transportation or treatment of sewage; or when the delay incident to obtaining competitive bids could cause adverse impact upon the governing authorities or agency, its employees or its citizens; or in the case of a public airport, when the delay incident to publishing an advertisement for competitive bids would endanger public safety in a specific (not general) manner, result in or perpetuate a specific breach of airport security, or prevent the airport from providing specific air transportation services.

“Construction” means the process of building, altering, improving, renovating or demolishing a public structure, public building, or other public real property. It does not include routine operation, routine repair or regularly scheduled maintenance of existing public structures, public buildings or other public real property.

“Purchase” means buying, renting, leasing or otherwise acquiring.

“Certified purchasing office” means any purchasing office in which fifty percent (50%) or more of the purchasing agents hold a certification from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council or other nationally recognized purchasing certification, and in which, in the case of a state agency purchasing office, in addition to the national certification, one hundred percent (100%) of the purchasing officials hold a certification from the State of Mississippi’s Basic or Advanced Purchasing Certification Program.

“Certified Mississippi Purchasing Agent” means a state agency purchasing official who holds a certification from the Mississippi Basic Purchasing Certification Program as established by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management.

“Certified Mississippi Procurement Manager” means a state agency purchasing official who holds a certification from the Mississippi Advanced Purchasing Certification Program as established by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 9024-01, 9024-10, 9024.5; Laws, 1958, ch. 480, §§ 1-4; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, §§ 1, 13; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 21; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 1; Laws, 1981, ch. 306, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 152; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 13; Laws, 1988, ch. 589, § 22; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 63; Laws, 1990, ch. 585, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 556, § 1; Laws, 1996, ch. 404, § 2; Laws, 1999, ch. 335, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 2; Laws, 2003, ch. 539, § 3; Laws, 2004, ch. 390, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 485, § 2; Laws, 2013, ch. 362, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 497, § 35; Laws, 2016, ch. 330, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 367, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 398, § 4, eff from and after July 1, 2017.

§ 31-7-3. Administration of provisions of chapter; purposes.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall administer the provisions of this chapter.

The purposes or aims of the Department of Finance and Administration in carrying out said provisions shall be to coordinate and promote efficiency and economy in the purchase of commodities by the agencies of the state.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 9024-02, 9024-03; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, §§ 2, 3; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 153; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 14; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved May 20, 2000.).

§ 31-7-5. Administrative rules and regulations.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall prescribe rules and regulations governing the manner in which the authority and duties granted to it by law may be carried out. It shall employ suitable and competent personnel, necessary to carry out its purposes. The Department of Finance and Administration may establish an Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management and employ a competent person as Director of the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management who shall be nonstate service and paid a salary as determined by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration with the approval of the State Personnel Board.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-04; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 4; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 4; Laws, 2006, ch. 537, § 6; Laws, 2007, ch. 319, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2007.

§ 31-7-7. Duties and powers.

Through its director and other supervisory personnel and, upon its request, through the agencies of the state, the Office of General Services shall supervise the performance of the following duties imposed upon it by this chapter:

A study of the purchases of commodities by the agencies of the state; the compilation, exchange and coordination of information concerning same; and the distribution of such information to the agencies and governing authorities requesting same.

The planning and coordination of purchases in volume for the agencies in order to take advantage of and secure the economies possible by volume purchasing; the arrangement of agreements between agencies and between governing authorities whereby one may make a purchase or purchases for the other or whereby an agency may make a purchase for a governing authority; the arrangement of agreements whereby purchases of commodities can be made between an agency and another agency or governing authority at a fair price, less depreciated value; the negotiations and execution of purchasing agreements and contracts through and under which the Office of General Services may require state agencies to purchase; and the obtaining or establishment of methods for obtaining of competitive bid prices upon which any agency of the state may purchase at the price approved by the Office of General Services.

The arrangement of provisions in purchase contracts of the state, or any agency, providing that the same price for which a commodity is available to an agency, may also, during the period of time provided therein, be available to any governing authority.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-05; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 5; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 3; Laws, 1983, ch. 330, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 154; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 15, eff from and after July 1, 1985.

§ 31-7-9. Purchasing regulations.

1. 1. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management shall adopt purchasing regulations governing the purchase by any agency of any commodity or commodities and establishing standards and specifications for a commodity or commodities and the maximum fair prices of a commodity or commodities, subject to the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board. It shall have the power to amend, add to or eliminate purchasing regulations. The adoption of, amendment, addition to or elimination of purchasing regulations shall be based upon a determination by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management with the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board, that such action is reasonable and practicable and advantageous to promote efficiency and economy in the purchase of commodities by the agencies of the state. Upon the adoption of any purchasing regulation, or an amendment, addition or elimination therein, copies of same shall be furnished to the State Auditor and to all agencies affected thereby. Thereafter, and except as otherwise may be provided in subsection (2) of this section, no agency of the state shall purchase any commodities covered by existing purchasing regulations unless such commodities be in conformity with the standards and specifications set forth in the purchasing regulations and unless the price thereof does not exceed the maximum fair price established by such purchasing regulations. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management shall furnish to any county or municipality or other local public agency of the state requesting same, copies of purchasing regulations adopted by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management and any amendments, changes or eliminations of same that may be made from time to time.
   2. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management may adopt purchasing regulations governing the use of credit cards, procurement cards and purchasing club membership cards to be used by state agencies, governing authorities of counties and municipalities, school districts and the Chickasawhay Natural Gas District. Use of the cards shall be in strict compliance with the regulations promulgated by the office. Any amounts due on the cards shall incur interest charges as set forth in Section 31-7-305 and shall not be considered debt.
   3. Pursuant to the provision of Section 37-61-33(3), the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management of the Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to issue procurement cards to all public school district classroom teachers and other necessary direct support personnel at the beginning of the school year for the purchase of instructional supplies using Educational Enhancement Funds. The cards will be issued in equal amounts per teacher determined by the total number of qualifying personnel and the then current state appropriation for classroom instructional supplies under the Education Enhancement Fund. All purchases shall be in accordance with state law and teachers are responsible for verification of capital asset requirements when pooling monies to purchase equipment. The cards will expire on a pre-determined date at the end of each school year. All unexpended amounts will be carried forward, to be combined with the following year’s instructional supply fund allocation, and reallocated for the following year. The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to loan any start-up funds at the beginning of the school year to fund this procurement system for instructional supplies with loan repayment being made from sales tax receipts earmarked for the Education Enhancement Fund.
   4. In a sale of goods or services, the seller shall not impose a surcharge on a buyer who uses a state-issued credit card, procurement card, travel card, or fuel card. The Department of Finance and Administration shall have exclusive jurisdiction to enforce and adopt rules relating to this paragraph. Any rules adopted under this paragraph shall be consistent with federal laws and regulations governing credit card transactions described by this paragraph. This paragraph does not create a cause of action against an individual for a violation of this paragraph.
2. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management shall adopt, subject to the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board, purchasing regulations governing the purchase of unmarked vehicles to be used by the Bureau of Narcotics and Department of Public Safety in official investigations pursuant to Section 25-1-87. Such regulations shall ensure that purchases of such vehicles shall be at a fair price and shall take into consideration the peculiar needs of the Bureau of Narcotics and Department of Public Safety in undercover operations.
3. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management shall adopt, subject to the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board, regulations governing the certification process for certified purchasing offices, including the Mississippi Purchasing Certification Program, which shall be required of all purchasing agents at state agencies. Such regulations shall require entities desiring to be classified as certified purchasing offices to submit applications and applicable documents on an annual basis, and in the case of a state agency purchasing office, to have one hundred percent (100%) participation and completion by purchasing agents in the Mississippi Purchasing Certification Program, at which time the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management may provide the governing entity with a certification valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. The Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management shall set a fee in an amount that recovers its costs to administer the Mississippi Purchasing Certification Program, which shall be assessed to the participating state agencies.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-06; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 6; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 155; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 16; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 71; Laws, 1989, ch. 394, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 5; Laws, 2002, ch. 316, § 1; Laws, 2003, ch. 539, § 4; Laws, 2004, ch. 562, § 2; Laws, 2006, ch. 537, § 7; Laws, 2012, ch. 543, § 4; Laws, 2013, ch. 362, § 2; Laws, 2013, ch. 394, § 1; Laws, 2016, ch. 330, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2016.

§ 31-7-10. Lease-purchase program for state agency equipment; participation by local governments; Master Lease-Purchase Program Fund; funding of agency expenses; deposit of monies into State General Fund.

1. For the purposes of this section, the term “equipment” shall mean equipment, furniture, and if applicable, associated software and other applicable direct costs associated with the acquisition. In addition to its other powers and duties, the Department of Finance and Administration shall have the authority to develop a master lease-purchase program and, pursuant to that program, shall have the authority to execute on behalf of the state master lease-purchase agreements for equipment to be used by an agency, as provided in this section. Each agency electing to acquire equipment by a lease-purchase agreement shall participate in the Department of Finance and Administration’s master lease-purchase program, unless the Department of Finance and Administration makes a determination that such equipment cannot be obtained under the program or unless the equipment can be obtained elsewhere at an overall cost lower than that for which the equipment can be obtained under the program. Such lease-purchase agreements may include the refinancing or consolidation, or both, of any state agency lease-purchase agreements entered into after June 30, 1990.
2. All funds designated by agencies for procurement of equipment and financing thereof under the master lease-purchase program shall be paid into a special fund created in the State Treasury known as the “Master Lease-Purchase Program Fund,” which shall be used by the Department of Finance and Administration for payment to the lessors for equipment acquired under master lease-purchase agreements.
3. Upon final approval of an appropriation bill, each agency shall submit to the Public Procurement Review Board a schedule of proposed equipment acquisitions for the master lease-purchase program. Upon approval of an equipment schedule by the Public Procurement Review Board with the advice of the Department of Information Technology Services, the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management, and the Division of Energy and Transportation of the Mississippi Development Authority as it pertains to energy efficient climate control systems, the Public Procurement Review Board shall forward a copy of the equipment schedule to the Department of Finance and Administration.
4. The level of lease-purchase debt recommended by the Department of Finance and Administration shall be subject to approval by the State Bond Commission. After such approval, the Department of Finance and Administration shall be authorized to advertise and solicit written competitive proposals for a lessor, who will purchase the equipment pursuant to bid awards made by the using agency under a given category and then transfer the equipment to the Department of Finance and Administration as lessee, pursuant to a master lease-purchase agreement.

   The Department of Finance and Administration shall select the successful proposer for the financing of equipment under the master lease-purchase program with the approval of the State Bond Commission.

5. Each master lease-purchase agreement, and any subsequent amendments, shall include such terms and conditions as the State Bond Commission shall determine to be appropriate and in the public interest, and may include any covenants deemed necessary or desirable to protect the interests of the lessor, including, but not limited to, provisions setting forth the interest rate (or method for computing interest rates) for financing pursuant to such agreement, covenants concerning application of payments and funds held in the Master Lease-Purchase Program Fund, covenants to maintain casualty insurance with respect to equipment subject to the master lease-purchase agreement (and all state agencies are specifically authorized to purchase any insurance required by a master lease-purchase agreement) and covenants precluding or limiting the right of the lessee or user to acquire equipment within a specified time (not to exceed five (5) years) after cancellation on the basis of a failure to appropriate funds for payment of amounts due under a lease-purchase agreement covering comparable equipment. The State Bond Commission shall transmit copies of each such master lease-purchase agreement and each such amendment to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. To the extent provided in any master lease-purchase agreement, title to equipment leased pursuant thereto shall be deemed to be vested in the state or the user of the equipment (as specified in such master lease-purchase agreement), subject to default under or termination of such master lease-purchase agreement.

   A master lease-purchase agreement may provide for payment by the lessor to the lessee of the purchase price of the equipment to be acquired pursuant thereto prior to the date on which payment is due to the vendor for such equipment and that the lease payments by the lessee shall commence as though the equipment had been provided on the date of payment. If the lessee, or lessee’s escrow agent, has sufficient funds for payment of equipment purchases prior to payment due date to vendor of equipment, such funds shall be held or utilized on an as-needed basis for payment of equipment purchases either by the State Treasurer (in which event the master lease-purchase agreement may include provisions concerning the holding of such funds, the creation of a security interest for the benefit of the lessor in such funds until disbursed and other appropriate provisions approved by the Bond Commission) or by a corporate trustee selected by the Department of Finance and Administration (in which event the Department of Finance and Administration shall have the authority to enter into an agreement with such a corporate trustee containing terms and conditions approved by the Bond Commission). Earnings on any amount paid by the lessor prior to the acquisition of the equipment may be used to make lease payments under the master lease-purchase agreement or applied to pay costs and expenses incurred in connection with such lease-purchase agreement. In such event, the equipment-use agreements with the user agency may provide for lease payments to commence upon the date of payment by the lessor and may also provide for a credit against such payments to the extent that investment receipts from investment of the purchase price are to be used to make lease-purchase payments.

6. The annual rate of interest paid under any lease-purchase agreement authorized under this section shall not exceed the maximum interest rate to maturity on general obligation indebtedness permitted under Section 75-17-101.
7. The Department of Finance and Administration shall furnish the equipment to the various agencies, also known as the user, pursuant to an equipment-use agreement developed by the Department of Finance and Administration. Such agreements shall require that all monthly payments due from such agency be paid, transferred or allocated into the Master Lease-Purchase Program Fund pursuant to a schedule established by the Department of Finance and Administration. In the event such sums are not paid by the defined payment period, the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue a requisition for a warrant to draw such amount as may be due from any funds appropriated for the use of the agency which has failed to make the payment as agreed.
8. All master lease-purchase agreements executed under the authority of this section shall contain the following annual allocation dependency clause or an annual allocation dependency clause which is substantially equivalent thereto: “The continuation of each equipment schedule to this agreement is contingent in whole or in part upon the appropriation of funds by the Legislature to make the lease-purchase payments required under such equipment schedule. If the Legislature fails to appropriate sufficient funds to provide for the continuation of the lease-purchase payments under any such equipment schedule, then the obligations of the lessee and of the agency to make such lease-purchase payments and the corresponding provisions of any such equipment schedule to this agreement shall terminate on the last day of the fiscal year for which appropriations were made.”
9. The maximum lease term for any equipment acquired under the master lease-purchase program shall not exceed the useful life of such equipment as determined according to the upper limit of the asset depreciation range (ADR) guidelines for the Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System established by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code and Regulations thereunder as in effect on December 31, 1980, or comparable depreciation guidelines with respect to any equipment not covered by ADR guidelines. The Department of Finance and Administration shall be deemed to have met the requirements of this subsection if the term of a master lease-purchase agreement does not exceed the weighted average useful life of all equipment covered by such agreement and the schedules thereto as determined by the Department of Finance and Administration. For purposes of this subsection, the “term of a master lease-purchase agreement” shall be the weighted average maturity of all principal payments to be made under such master lease-purchase agreement and all schedules thereto.
10. Interest paid on any master lease-purchase agreement under this section shall be exempt from State of Mississippi income taxation. All equipment, and the purchase thereof by any lessor, acquired under the master lease-purchase program and all lease-purchase payments with respect thereto shall be exempt from all Mississippi sales, use and ad valorem taxes.
11. The Governor, in his annual executive budget to the Legislature, shall recommend appropriations sufficient to provide funds to pay all amounts due and payable during the applicable fiscal year under master lease-purchase agreements entered into pursuant to this section.
12. Any master lease-purchase agreement reciting in substance that such agreement has been entered into pursuant to this section shall be conclusively deemed to have been entered into in accordance with all of the provisions and conditions set forth in this section. Any defect or irregularity arising with respect to procedures applicable to the acquisition of any equipment shall not invalidate or otherwise limit the obligation of the Department of Finance and Administration, or the state or any agency of the state, under any master lease-purchase agreement or any equipment-use agreement.
13. There shall be maintained by the Department of Finance and Administration, with respect to each master lease-purchase agreement, an itemized statement of the cash price, interest rates, interest costs, commissions, debt service schedules and all other costs and expenses paid by the state incident to the lease-purchase of equipment under such agreement.
14. Lease-purchase agreements entered into by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning pursuant to the authority of Section 37-101-413 or by any other agency which has specific statutory authority other than pursuant to Section 31-7-13(e) to acquire equipment by lease-purchase shall not be made pursuant to the master lease-purchase program under this section, unless the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or such other agency elects to participate as to part or all of its lease-purchase acquisitions in the master lease-purchase program pursuant to this section.
15. The Department of Finance and Administration may develop a master lease-purchase program for school districts and, pursuant to that program, may execute on behalf of the school districts master lease-purchase agreements for equipment to be used by the school districts. The form and structure of this program shall be substantially the same as set forth in this section for the master lease-purchase program for state agencies. If sums due from a school district under the master lease-purchase program are not paid by the expiration of the defined payment period, the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration may withhold such amount that is due from the school district’s minimum education or adequate education program fund allotments.
16. The Department of Finance and Administration may develop a master lease-purchase program for community and junior college districts and, pursuant to that program, may execute on behalf of the community and junior college districts master lease-purchase agreements for equipment to be used by the community and junior college districts. The form and structure of this program must be substantially the same as set forth in this section for the master lease-purchase program for state agencies. If sums due from a community or junior college district under the master lease-purchase program are not paid by the expiration of the defined payment period, the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration may withhold an amount equal to the amount due under the program from any funds allocated for that community or junior college district in the state appropriations for the use and support of the community and junior colleges.
17. From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law.
18. From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 545, § 1; Laws, 1990, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 51, § 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 424 § 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 571 § 2; Laws, 2000, ch. 566, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 6; Laws, 2002, ch. 409, § 1; Laws, 2006, ch. 537, § 8; Laws, 2016, ch. 459, § 16, eff from and after July 1, 2016.

§ 31-7-11. Purchasing practices.

Each agency of the state shall furnish information relative to its purchase of commodities, and as to its method of purchasing such commodities, to the Department of Finance and Administration annually and at such other times as the Department of Finance and Administration may request.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall have supervision over the purchasing and purchasing practices of each state agency and may by regulation or order correct any practice that appears contrary to the provisions of this chapter or to the best interests of the state. If it shall appear that any agency is not practicing economy in its purchasing or is permitting favoritism or any improper purchasing practice, the Department of Finance and Administration shall require that the agency immediately cease such improper activity, with full and complete authority in the Department of Finance and Administration to carry into effect its directions in such regard.

All purchases, trade-ins, sales or transfer of personal property made by any officer, board, agency, department or branch of the state government except the Legislature shall be subject to the approval of the Department of Finance and Administration. Such transaction shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration relating to the purchase of state-owned motor vehicles and all other personal property. The title of such property shall remain in the name of the state.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 9024-06, 9024-07; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, §§ 6, 7; Laws, 1970, ch. 353, § 2; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 4; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 156; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 17; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 7, eff from and after passage (approved May 20, 2000.).

§ 31-7-12. State contract price for purchase of commodities.

1. Except in regard to purchases of unmarked vehicles made in accordance with purchasing regulations adopted by the Department of Finance and Administration pursuant to Section 31-7-9(2), all agencies shall purchase commodities at the state contract price from the approved source, unless approval is granted by the Department of Finance and Administration to solicit purchases outside the terms of the contracts. However, prices accepted by an agency shall be less than the prices set by the state contract. Prices accepted by an agency shall be obtained in compliance with paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of Section 31-7-13. It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Finance and Administration to ascertain that the resulting prices shall provide a cost effective alternative to the established state contract.
2. Governing authorities may purchase commodities approved by the Department of Finance and Administration from the state contract vendor, or from any source offering the identical commodity, at a price not exceeding the state contract price established by the Department of Finance and Administration for such commodity, without obtaining or advertising for competitive bids. Governing authorities that do not exercise the option to purchase such commodities from the state contract vendor or from another source offering the identical commodity at a price not exceeding the state contract price established by the Department of Finance and Administration shall make such purchases pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-7-13 without regard to state contract prices established by the Department of Finance and Administration, unless such purchases are authorized to be made under subsection (5) of this section.
3. Nothing in this section shall prohibit governing authorities from purchasing, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, commodities approved by the Department of Finance and Administration at a price not exceeding the state contract price established by the Department of Finance and Administration.
4. The Department of Finance and Administration shall ensure that the prices of all commodities on the state contract are the lowest and best prices available from any source offering that commodity at the same level of quality or service, utilizing the reasonable standards established therefor by the Department of Finance and Administration. If the Department of Finance and Administration does not list an approved price for the particular item involved, purchase shall be made according to statutory bidding and licensing requirements. To encourage prudent purchasing practices, the Department of Finance and Administration shall be authorized and empowered to exempt certain commodities from the requirement that the lowest and best price be approved by order placed on its minutes.
5. Any school district may purchase commodities from vendors with which any levying authority of the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1, has contracted through competitive bidding procedures pursuant to Section 31-7-13 for purchases of the same commodities. Purchases authorized by this subsection may be made by a school district without obtaining or advertising for competitive bids, and such purchases shall be made at the same prices and under the same conditions as purchases of the same commodities are to be made by the levying authority of the school district under the contract with the vendor.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 5; Laws, 1983, ch. 330, § 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 157; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 18; Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 13; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 64; Laws, 1989, ch. 394, § 2; Laws, 1990, ch. 374, § 1; Laws, 1990, ch. 561, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 418, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 556, § 2; Laws, 1997, ch. 556, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 8, eff from and after passage (approved May 20, 2000.).

§ 31-7-13. Bid requirements and exceptions; public auctions.

All agencies and governing authorities shall purchase their commodities and printing; contract for garbage collection or disposal; contract for solid waste collection or disposal; contract for sewage collection or disposal; contract for public construction; and contract for rentals as herein provided.

Bidding procedure for purchases not over $5,000.00. Purchases which do not involve an expenditure of more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), exclusive of freight or shipping charges, may be made without advertising or otherwise requesting competitive bids. However, nothing contained in this paragraph (a) shall be construed to prohibit any agency or governing authority from establishing procedures which require competitive bids on purchases of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or less.

Bidding procedure for purchases over $5,000.00 but not over $50,000.00. Purchases which involve an expenditure of more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) but not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), exclusive of freight and shipping charges, may be made from the lowest and best bidder without publishing or posting advertisement for bids, provided at least two (2) competitive written bids have been obtained. Any state agency or community/junior college purchasing commodities or procuring construction pursuant to this paragraph (b) may authorize its purchasing agent, or his designee, to accept the lowest competitive written bid under Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Any governing authority purchasing commodities pursuant to this paragraph (b) may authorize its purchasing agent, or his designee, with regard to governing authorities other than counties, or its purchase clerk, or his designee, with regard to counties, to accept the lowest and best competitive written bid. Such authorization shall be made in writing by the governing authority and shall be maintained on file in the primary office of the agency and recorded in the official minutes of the governing authority, as appropriate. The purchasing agent or the purchase clerk, or their designee, as the case may be, and not the governing authority, shall be liable for any penalties and/or damages as may be imposed by law for any act or omission of the purchasing agent or purchase clerk, or their designee, constituting a violation of law in accepting any bid without approval by the governing authority. The term “competitive written bid” shall mean a bid submitted on a bid form furnished by the buying agency or governing authority and signed by authorized personnel representing the vendor, or a bid submitted on a vendor’s letterhead or identifiable bid form and signed by authorized personnel representing the vendor. “Competitive” shall mean that the bids are developed based upon comparable identification of the needs and are developed independently and without knowledge of other bids or prospective bids. Any bid item for construction in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) shall be broken down by components to provide detail of component description and pricing. These details shall be submitted with the written bids and become part of the bid evaluation criteria. Bids may be submitted by facsimile, electronic mail or other generally accepted method of information distribution. Bids submitted by electronic transmission shall not require the signature of the vendor’s representative unless required by agencies or governing authorities.

Bidding procedure for purchases over $50,000.00.

Publication requirement.

1. Purchases which involve an expenditure of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), exclusive of freight and shipping charges, may be made from the lowest and best bidder after advertising for competitive bids once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a regular newspaper published in the county or municipality in which such agency or governing authority is located. However, all American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects in excess of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) shall be bid. All references to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects in this section shall not apply to programs identified in Division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

2. Reverse auctions shall be the primary method for receiving bids during the bidding process. If a purchasing entity determines that a reverse auction is not in the best interest of the state, then that determination must be approved by the Public Procurement Review Board. The purchasing entity shall submit a detailed explanation of why a reverse auction would not be in the best interest of the state and present an alternative process to be approved by the Public Procurement Review Board. If the Public Procurement Review Board authorizes the purchasing entity to solicit bids with a method other than reverse auction, then the purchasing entity may designate the other methods by which the bids will be received, including, but not limited to, bids sealed in an envelope, bids received electronically in a secure system, or bids received by any other method that promotes open competition and has been approved by the Office of Purchasing and Travel. However, reverse auction shall not be used for any public contract for design or construction of public facilities, including buildings, roads and bridges. The Public Procurement Review Board must approve any contract entered into by alternative process. The provisions of this item 2 shall not apply to the individual state institutions of higher learning.

3. The date as published for the bid opening shall not be less than seven (7) working days after the last published notice; however, if the purchase involves a construction project in which the estimated cost is in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), such bids shall not be opened in less than fifteen (15) working days after the last notice is published and the notice for the purchase of such construction shall be published once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks. However, all American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects in excess of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) shall be bid. For any projects in excess of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, publication shall be made one (1) time and the bid opening for construction projects shall not be less than ten (10) working days after the date of the published notice. The notice of intention to let contracts or purchase equipment shall state the time and place at which bids shall be received, list the contracts to be made or types of equipment or supplies to be purchased, and, if all plans and/or specifications are not published, refer to the plans and/or specifications on file. If there is no newspaper published in the county or municipality, then such notice shall be given by posting same at the courthouse, or for municipalities at the city hall, and at two (2) other public places in the county or municipality, and also by publication once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in some newspaper having a general circulation in the county or municipality in the above-provided manner. On the same date that the notice is submitted to the newspaper for publication, the agency or governing authority involved shall mail written notice to, or provide electronic notification to the main office of the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program under the Mississippi Development Authority that contains the same information as that in the published notice. Submissions received by the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program for projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act shall be displayed on a separate and unique Internet web page accessible to the public and maintained by the Mississippi Development Authority for the Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Program. Those American Recovery and Reinvestment Act related submissions shall be publicly posted within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt by the Mississippi Development Authority and the bid opening shall not occur until the submission has been posted for ten (10) consecutive days. The Department of Finance and Administration shall maintain information regarding contracts and other expenditures from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, on a unique Internet web page accessible to the public. The Department of Finance and Administration shall promulgate rules regarding format, content and deadlines, unless otherwise specified by law, of the posting of award notices, contract execution and subsequent amendments, links to the contract documents, expenditures against the awarded contracts and general expenditures of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Within one (1) working day of the contract award, the agency or governing authority shall post to the designated web page maintained by the Department of Finance and Administration, notice of the award, including the award recipient, the contract amount, and a brief summary of the contract in accordance with rules promulgated by the department. Within one (1) working day of the contract execution, the agency or governing authority shall post to the designated web page maintained by the Department of Finance and Administration a summary of the executed contract and make a copy of the appropriately redacted contract documents available for linking to the designated web page in accordance with the rules promulgated by the department. The information provided by the agency or governing authority shall be posted to the web page for the duration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding or until the project is completed, whichever is longer.

Bidding process amendment procedure. If all plans and/or specifications are published in the notification, then the plans and/or specifications may not be amended. If all plans and/or specifications are not published in the notification, then amendments to the plans/specifications, bid opening date, bid opening time and place may be made, provided that the agency or governing authority maintains a list of all prospective bidders who are known to have received a copy of the bid documents and all such prospective bidders are sent copies of all amendments. This notification of amendments may be made via mail, facsimile, electronic mail or other generally accepted method of information distribution. No addendum to bid specifications may be issued within two (2) working days of the time established for the receipt of bids unless such addendum also amends the bid opening to a date not less than five (5) working days after the date of the addendum.

Filing requirement. In all cases involving governing authorities, before the notice shall be published or posted, the plans or specifications for the construction or equipment being sought shall be filed with the clerk of the board of the governing authority. In addition to these requirements, a bid file shall be established which shall indicate those vendors to whom such solicitations and specifications were issued, and such file shall also contain such information as is pertinent to the bid.

Specification restrictions.

1. Specifications pertinent to such bidding shall be written so as not to exclude comparable equipment of domestic manufacture. However, if valid justification is presented, the Department of Finance and Administration or the board of a governing authority may approve a request for specific equipment necessary to perform a specific job. Further, such justification, when placed on the minutes of the board of a governing authority, may serve as authority for that governing authority to write specifications to require a specific item of equipment needed to perform a specific job. In addition to these requirements, from and after July 1, 1990, vendors of relocatable classrooms and the specifications for the purchase of such relocatable classrooms published by local school boards shall meet all pertinent regulations of the State Board of Education, including prior approval of such bid by the State Department of Education.

2. Specifications for construction projects may include an allowance for commodities, equipment, furniture, construction materials or systems in which prospective bidders are instructed to include in their bids specified amounts for such items so long as the allowance items are acquired by the vendor in a commercially reasonable manner and approved by the agency/governing authority. Such acquisitions shall not be made to circumvent the public purchasing laws.

Electronic bids. Agencies and governing authorities shall provide a secure electronic interactive system for the submittal of bids requiring competitive bidding that shall be an additional bidding option for those bidders who choose to submit their bids electronically. The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide, by regulation, the standards that agencies must follow when receiving electronic bids. Agencies and governing authorities shall make the appropriate provisions necessary to accept electronic bids from those bidders who choose to submit their bids electronically for all purchases requiring competitive bidding under this section. Any special condition or requirement for the electronic bid submission shall be specified in the advertisement for bids required by this section. Agencies or governing authorities that are currently without available high speed Internet access shall be exempt from the requirement of this subparagraph (v) until such time that high speed Internet access becomes available. Any county having a population of less than twenty thousand (20,000) shall be exempt from the provisions of this subparagraph (v). Any municipality having a population of less than ten thousand (10,000) shall be exempt from the provisions of this subparagraph (v). The provisions of this subparagraph (v) shall not require any bidder to submit bids electronically. When construction bids are submitted electronically, the requirement for including a certificate of responsibility, or a statement that the bid enclosed does not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), on the exterior of the bid envelope as indicated in Section 31-3-21(1) and (2) shall be deemed in compliance with by including same as an attachment with the electronic bid submittal.

Lowest and best bid decision procedure.

Decision procedure. Purchases may be made from the lowest and best bidder. In determining the lowest and best bid, freight and shipping charges shall be included. Life-cycle costing, total cost bids, warranties, guaranteed buy-back provisions and other relevant provisions may be included in the best bid calculation. All best bid procedures for state agencies must be in compliance with regulations established by the Department of Finance and Administration. If any governing authority accepts a bid other than the lowest bid actually submitted, it shall place on its minutes detailed calculations and narrative summary showing that the accepted bid was determined to be the lowest and best bid, including the dollar amount of the accepted bid and the dollar amount of the lowest bid. No agency or governing authority shall accept a bid based on items not included in the specifications.

Decision procedure for Certified Purchasing Offices. In addition to the decision procedure set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (d), Certified Purchasing Offices may also use the following procedure: Purchases may be made from the bidder offering the best value. In determining the best value bid, freight and shipping charges shall be included. Life-cycle costing, total cost bids, warranties, guaranteed buy-back provisions, documented previous experience, training costs and other relevant provisions, including, but not limited to, a bidder having a local office and inventory located within the jurisdiction of the governing authority, may be included in the best value calculation. This provision shall authorize Certified Purchasing Offices to utilize a Request For Proposals (RFP) process when purchasing commodities. All best value procedures for state agencies must be in compliance with regulations established by the Department of Finance and Administration. No agency or governing authority shall accept a bid based on items or criteria not included in the specifications.

Decision procedure for Mississippi Landmarks. In addition to the decision procedure set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (d), where purchase involves renovation, restoration, or both, of the State Capitol Building or any other historical building designated for at least five (5) years as a Mississippi Landmark by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History under the authority of Sections 39-7-7 and 39-7-11, the agency or governing authority may use the following procedure: Purchases may be made from the lowest and best prequalified bidder. Prequalification of bidders shall be determined not less than fifteen (15) working days before the first published notice of bid opening. Prequalification criteria shall be limited to bidder’s knowledge and experience in historical restoration, preservation and renovation. In determining the lowest and best bid, freight and shipping charges shall be included. Life-cycle costing, total cost bids, warranties, guaranteed buy-back provisions and other relevant provisions may be included in the best bid calculation. All best bid and prequalification procedures for state agencies must be in compliance with regulations established by the Department of Finance and Administration. If any governing authority accepts a bid other than the lowest bid actually submitted, it shall place on its minutes detailed calculations and narrative summary showing that the accepted bid was determined to be the lowest and best bid, including the dollar amount of the accepted bid and the dollar amount of the lowest bid. No agency or governing authority shall accept a bid based on items not included in the specifications.

Construction project negotiations authority. If the lowest and best bid is not more than ten percent (10%) above the amount of funds allocated for a public construction or renovation project, then the agency or governing authority shall be permitted to negotiate with the lowest bidder in order to enter into a contract for an amount not to exceed the funds allocated.

Lease-purchase authorization. For the purposes of this section, the term “equipment” shall mean equipment, furniture and, if applicable, associated software and other applicable direct costs associated with the acquisition. Any lease-purchase of equipment which an agency is not required to lease-purchase under the master lease-purchase program pursuant to Section 31-7-10 and any lease-purchase of equipment which a governing authority elects to lease-purchase may be acquired by a lease-purchase agreement under this paragraph (e). Lease-purchase financing may also be obtained from the vendor or from a third-party source after having solicited and obtained at least two (2) written competitive bids, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, for such financing without advertising for such bids. Solicitation for the bids for financing may occur before or after acceptance of bids for the purchase of such equipment or, where no such bids for purchase are required, at any time before the purchase thereof. No such lease-purchase agreement shall be for an annual rate of interest which is greater than the overall maximum interest rate to maturity on general obligation indebtedness permitted under Section 75-17-101, and the term of such lease-purchase agreement shall not exceed the useful life of equipment covered thereby as determined according to the upper limit of the asset depreciation range (ADR) guidelines for the Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System established by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the United States Internal Revenue Code and regulations thereunder as in effect on December 31, 1980, or comparable depreciation guidelines with respect to any equipment not covered by ADR guidelines. Any lease-purchase agreement entered into pursuant to this paragraph (e) may contain any of the terms and conditions which a master lease-purchase agreement may contain under the provisions of Section 31-7-10(5), and shall contain an annual allocation dependency clause substantially similar to that set forth in Section 31-7-10(8). Each agency or governing authority entering into a lease-purchase transaction pursuant to this paragraph (e) shall maintain with respect to each such lease-purchase transaction the same information as required to be maintained by the Department of Finance and Administration pursuant to Section 31-7-10(13). However, nothing contained in this section shall be construed to permit agencies to acquire items of equipment with a total acquisition cost in the aggregate of less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) by a single lease-purchase transaction. All equipment, and the purchase thereof by any lessor, acquired by lease-purchase under this paragraph and all lease-purchase payments with respect thereto shall be exempt from all Mississippi sales, use and ad valorem taxes. Interest paid on any lease-purchase agreement under this section shall be exempt from State of Mississippi income taxation.

Alternate bid authorization. When necessary to ensure ready availability of commodities for public works and the timely completion of public projects, no more than two (2) alternate bids may be accepted by a governing authority for commodities. No purchases may be made through use of such alternate bids procedure unless the lowest and best bidder cannot deliver the commodities contained in his bid. In that event, purchases of such commodities may be made from one (1) of the bidders whose bid was accepted as an alternate.

Construction contract change authorization. In the event a determination is made by an agency or governing authority after a construction contract is let that changes or modifications to the original contract are necessary or would better serve the purpose of the agency or the governing authority, such agency or governing authority may, in its discretion, order such changes pertaining to the construction that are necessary under the circumstances without the necessity of further public bids; provided that such change shall be made in a commercially reasonable manner and shall not be made to circumvent the public purchasing statutes. In addition to any other authorized person, the architect or engineer hired by an agency or governing authority with respect to any public construction contract shall have the authority, when granted by an agency or governing authority, to authorize changes or modifications to the original contract without the necessity of prior approval of the agency or governing authority when any such change or modification is less than one percent (1%) of the total contract amount. The agency or governing authority may limit the number, manner or frequency of such emergency changes or modifications.

Petroleum purchase alternative. In addition to other methods of purchasing authorized in this chapter, when any agency or governing authority shall have a need for gas, diesel fuel, oils and/or other petroleum products in excess of the amount set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, such agency or governing authority may purchase the commodity after having solicited and obtained at least two (2) competitive written bids, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. If two (2) competitive written bids are not obtained, the entity shall comply with the procedures set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. In the event any agency or governing authority shall have advertised for bids for the purchase of gas, diesel fuel, oils and other petroleum products and coal and no acceptable bids can be obtained, such agency or governing authority is authorized and directed to enter into any negotiations necessary to secure the lowest and best contract available for the purchase of such commodities.

Road construction petroleum products price adjustment clause authorization. Any agency or governing authority authorized to enter into contracts for the construction, maintenance, surfacing or repair of highways, roads or streets, may include in its bid proposal and contract documents a price adjustment clause with relation to the cost to the contractor, including taxes, based upon an industry-wide cost index, of petroleum products including asphalt used in the performance or execution of the contract or in the production or manufacture of materials for use in such performance. Such industry-wide index shall be established and published monthly by the Mississippi Department of Transportation with a copy thereof to be mailed, upon request, to the clerks of the governing authority of each municipality and the clerks of each board of supervisors throughout the state. The price adjustment clause shall be based on the cost of such petroleum products only and shall not include any additional profit or overhead as part of the adjustment. The bid proposals or document contract shall contain the basis and methods of adjusting unit prices for the change in the cost of such petroleum products.

State agency emergency purchase procedure. If the governing board or the executive head, or his designees, of any agency of the state shall determine that an emergency exists in regard to the purchase of any commodities or repair contracts, so that the delay incident to giving opportunity for competitive bidding would be detrimental to the interests of the state, then the head of such agency, or his designees, shall file with the Department of Finance and Administration (i) a statement explaining the conditions and circumstances of the emergency, which shall include a detailed description of the events leading up to the situation and the negative impact to the entity if the purchase is made following the statutory requirements set forth in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section, and (ii) a certified copy of the appropriate minutes of the board of such agency requesting the emergency purchase, if applicable. Upon receipt of the statement and applicable board certification, the State Fiscal Officer, or his designees, may, in writing, authorize the purchase or repair without having to comply with competitive bidding requirements.

If the governing board or the executive head, or his designees, of any agency determines that an emergency exists in regard to the purchase of any commodities or repair contracts, so that the delay incident to giving opportunity for competitive bidding would threaten the health or safety of any person, or the preservation or protection of property, then the provisions in this section for competitive bidding shall not apply, and any officer or agent of the agency having general or specific authority for making the purchase or repair contract shall approve the bill presented for payment, and he shall certify in writing from whom the purchase was made, or with whom the repair contract was made.

Total purchases made under this paragraph (j) shall only be for the purpose of meeting needs created by the emergency situation. Following the emergency purchase, documentation of the purchase, including a description of the commodity purchased, the purchase price thereof and the nature of the emergency shall be filed with the Department of Finance and Administration. Any contract awarded pursuant to this paragraph (j) shall not exceed a term of one (1) year.

Governing authority emergency purchase procedure. If the governing authority, or the governing authority acting through its designee, shall determine that an emergency exists in regard to the purchase of any commodities or repair contracts, so that the delay incident to giving opportunity for competitive bidding would be detrimental to the interest of the governing authority, then the provisions herein for competitive bidding shall not apply and any officer or agent of such governing authority having general or special authority therefor in making such purchase or repair shall approve the bill presented therefor, and he shall certify in writing thereon from whom such purchase was made, or with whom such a repair contract was made. At the board meeting next following the emergency purchase or repair contract, documentation of the purchase or repair contract, including a description of the commodity purchased, the price thereof and the nature of the emergency shall be presented to the board and shall be placed on the minutes of the board of such governing authority.

Hospital purchase, lease-purchase and lease authorization.

The commissioners or board of trustees of any public hospital may contract with such lowest and best bidder for the purchase or lease-purchase of any commodity under a contract of purchase or lease-purchase agreement whose obligatory payment terms do not exceed five (5) years.

In addition to the authority granted in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (l), the commissioners or board of trustees is authorized to enter into contracts for the lease of equipment or services, or both, which it considers necessary for the proper care of patients if, in its opinion, it is not financially feasible to purchase the necessary equipment or services. Any such contract for the lease of equipment or services executed by the commissioners or board shall not exceed a maximum of five (5) years’ duration and shall include a cancellation clause based on unavailability of funds. If such cancellation clause is exercised, there shall be no further liability on the part of the lessee. Any such contract for the lease of equipment or services executed on behalf of the commissioners or board that complies with the provisions of this subparagraph (ii) shall be excepted from the bid requirements set forth in this section.

Exceptions from bidding requirements. Excepted from bid requirements are:

Purchasing agreements approved by department. Purchasing agreements, contracts and maximum price regulations executed or approved by the Department of Finance and Administration.

Outside equipment repairs. Repairs to equipment, when such repairs are made by repair facilities in the private sector; however, engines, transmissions, rear axles and/or other such components shall not be included in this exemption when replaced as a complete unit instead of being repaired and the need for such total component replacement is known before disassembly of the component; however, invoices identifying the equipment, specific repairs made, parts identified by number and name, supplies used in such repairs, and the number of hours of labor and costs therefor shall be required for the payment for such repairs.

In-house equipment repairs. Purchases of parts for repairs to equipment, when such repairs are made by personnel of the agency or governing authority; however, entire assemblies, such as engines or transmissions, shall not be included in this exemption when the entire assembly is being replaced instead of being repaired.

Raw gravel or dirt. Raw unprocessed deposits of gravel or fill dirt which are to be removed and transported by the purchaser.

Governmental equipment auctions. Motor vehicles or other equipment purchased from a federal agency or authority, another governing authority or state agency of the State of Mississippi, or any governing authority or state agency of another state at a public auction held for the purpose of disposing of such vehicles or other equipment. Any purchase by a governing authority under the exemption authorized by this subparagraph (v) shall require advance authorization spread upon the minutes of the governing authority to include the listing of the item or items authorized to be purchased and the maximum bid authorized to be paid for each item or items.

Intergovernmental sales and transfers. Purchases, sales, transfers or trades by governing authorities or state agencies when such purchases, sales, transfers or trades are made by a private treaty agreement or through means of negotiation, from any federal agency or authority, another governing authority or state agency of the State of Mississippi, or any state agency or governing authority of another state. Nothing in this section shall permit such purchases through public auction except as provided for in subparagraph (v) of this paragraph (m). It is the intent of this section to allow governmental entities to dispose of and/or purchase commodities from other governmental entities at a price that is agreed to by both parties. This shall allow for purchases and/or sales at prices which may be determined to be below the market value if the selling entity determines that the sale at below market value is in the best interest of the taxpayers of the state. Governing authorities shall place the terms of the agreement and any justification on the minutes, and state agencies shall obtain approval from the Department of Finance and Administration, prior to releasing or taking possession of the commodities.

Perishable supplies or food. Perishable supplies or food purchased for use in connection with hospitals, the school lunch programs, homemaking programs and for the feeding of county or municipal prisoners.

Single source items. Noncompetitive items available from one (1) source only. In connection with the purchase of noncompetitive items only available from one (1) source, a certification of the conditions and circumstances requiring the purchase shall be filed by the agency with the Department of Finance and Administration and by the governing authority with the board of the governing authority. Upon receipt of that certification the Department of Finance and Administration or the board of the governing authority, as the case may be, may, in writing, authorize the purchase, which authority shall be noted on the minutes of the body at the next regular meeting thereafter. In those situations, a governing authority is not required to obtain the approval of the Department of Finance and Administration. Following the purchase, the executive head of the state agency, or his designees, shall file with the Department of Finance and Administration, documentation of the purchase, including a description of the commodity purchased, the purchase price thereof and the source from whom it was purchased.

Waste disposal facility construction contracts. Construction of incinerators and other facilities for disposal of solid wastes in which products either generated therein, such as steam, or recovered therefrom, such as materials for recycling, are to be sold or otherwise disposed of; however, in constructing such facilities, a governing authority or agency shall publicly issue requests for proposals, advertised for in the same manner as provided herein for seeking bids for public construction projects, concerning the design, construction, ownership, operation and/or maintenance of such facilities, wherein such requests for proposals when issued shall contain terms and conditions relating to price, financial responsibility, technology, environmental compatibility, legal responsibilities and such other matters as are determined by the governing authority or agency to be appropriate for inclusion; and after responses to the request for proposals have been duly received, the governing authority or agency may select the most qualified proposal or proposals on the basis of price, technology and other relevant factors and from such proposals, but not limited to the terms thereof, negotiate and enter contracts with one or more of the persons or firms submitting proposals.

Hospital group purchase contracts. Supplies, commodities and equipment purchased by hospitals through group purchase programs pursuant to Section 31-7-38.

Information technology products. Purchases of information technology products made by governing authorities under the provisions of purchase schedules, or contracts executed or approved by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services and designated for use by governing authorities.

Energy efficiency services and equipment. Energy efficiency services and equipment acquired by school districts, community and junior colleges, institutions of higher learning and state agencies or other applicable governmental entities on a shared-savings, lease or lease-purchase basis pursuant to Section 31-7-14.

Municipal electrical utility system fuel. Purchases of coal and/or natural gas by municipally owned electric power generating systems that have the capacity to use both coal and natural gas for the generation of electric power.

Library books and other reference materials. Purchases by libraries or for libraries of books and periodicals; processed film, videocassette tapes, filmstrips and slides; recorded audiotapes, cassettes and diskettes; and any such items as would be used for teaching, research or other information distribution; however, equipment such as projectors, recorders, audio or video equipment, and monitor televisions are not exempt under this subparagraph.

Unmarked vehicles. Purchases of unmarked vehicles when such purchases are made in accordance with purchasing regulations adopted by the Department of Finance and Administration pursuant to Section 31-7-9(2).

Election ballots. Purchases of ballots printed pursuant to Section 23-15-351.

Multichannel interactive video systems. From and after July 1, 1990, contracts by Mississippi Authority for Educational Television with any private educational institution or private nonprofit organization whose purposes are educational in regard to the construction, purchase, lease or lease-purchase of facilities and equipment and the employment of personnel for providing multichannel interactive video systems (ITSF) in the school districts of this state.

Purchases of prison industry products by the Department of Corrections, regional correctional facilities or privately owned prisons. Purchases made by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, regional correctional facilities or privately owned prisons involving any item that is manufactured, processed, grown or produced from the state’s prison industries.

Undercover operations equipment. Purchases of surveillance equipment or any other high-tech equipment to be used by law enforcement agents in undercover operations, provided that any such purchase shall be in compliance with regulations established by the Department of Finance and Administration.

Junior college books for rent. Purchases by community or junior colleges of textbooks which are obtained for the purpose of renting such books to students as part of a book service system.

Certain school district purchases. Purchases of commodities made by school districts from vendors with which any levying authority of the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1, has contracted through competitive bidding procedures for purchases of the same commodities.

Garbage, solid waste and sewage contracts. Contracts for garbage collection or disposal, contracts for solid waste collection or disposal and contracts for sewage collection or disposal.

Municipal water tank maintenance contracts. Professional maintenance program contracts for the repair or maintenance of municipal water tanks, which provide professional services needed to maintain municipal water storage tanks for a fixed annual fee for a duration of two (2) or more years.

Purchases of Mississippi Industries for the Blind products. Purchases made by state agencies or governing authorities involving any item that is manufactured, processed or produced by the Mississippi Industries for the Blind.

Purchases of state-adopted textbooks. Purchases of state-adopted textbooks by public school districts.

Certain purchases under the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Act. Contracts entered into pursuant to the provisions of Section 57-75-9(2), (3) and (4).

Used heavy or specialized machinery or equipment for installation of soil and water conservation practices purchased at auction. Used heavy or specialized machinery or equipment used for the installation and implementation of soil and water conservation practices or measures purchased subject to the restrictions provided in Sections 69-27-331 through 69-27-341. Any purchase by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission under the exemption authorized by this subparagraph shall require advance authorization spread upon the minutes of the commission to include the listing of the item or items authorized to be purchased and the maximum bid authorized to be paid for each item or items.

Hospital lease of equipment or services. Leases by hospitals of equipment or services if the leases are in compliance with paragraph (l)(ii).

Purchases made pursuant to qualified cooperative purchasing agreements. Purchases made by certified purchasing offices of state agencies or governing authorities under cooperative purchasing agreements previously approved by the Office of Purchasing and Travel and established by or for any municipality, county, parish or state government or the federal government, provided that the notification to potential contractors includes a clause that sets forth the availability of the cooperative purchasing agreement to other governmental entities. Such purchases shall only be made if the use of the cooperative purchasing agreements is determined to be in the best interest of the governmental entity.

School yearbooks. Purchases of school yearbooks by state agencies or governing authorities; provided, however, that state agencies and governing authorities shall use for these purchases the RFP process as set forth in the Mississippi Procurement Manual adopted by the Office of Purchasing and Travel.

Design-build method and dual-phase design-build method of contracting. Contracts entered into under the provisions of Section 31-7-13.1, 37-101-44 or 65-1-85.

Toll roads and bridge construction projects. Contracts entered into under the provisions of Section 65-43-1 or 65-43-3.

Certain purchases under Section 57-1-221. Contracts entered into pursuant to the provisions of Section 57-1-221.

Certain transfers made pursuant to the provisions of Section 57-105-1(7).Transfers of public property or facilities under Section 57-105-1(7) and construction related to such public property or facilities.

Certain purchases or transfers entered into with local electrical power associations. Contracts or agreements entered into under the provisions of Section 55-3-33.

Certain purchases by an academic medical center or health sciences school. Purchases by an academic medical center or health sciences school, as defined in Section 37-115-50, of commodities that are used for clinical purposes and 1. intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, and 2. medical devices, biological, drugs and radiation-emitting devices as defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Certain purchases made under the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law. Contracts made by the Mississippi Lottery Corporation pursuant to the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law.

Term contract authorization. All contracts for the purchase of:

All contracts for the purchase of commodities, equipment and public construction (including, but not limited to, repair and maintenance), may be let for periods of not more than sixty (60) months in advance, subject to applicable statutory provisions prohibiting the letting of contracts during specified periods near the end of terms of office. Term contracts for a period exceeding twenty-four (24) months shall also be subject to ratification or cancellation by governing authority boards taking office subsequent to the governing authority board entering the contract.

Bid proposals and contracts may include price adjustment clauses with relation to the cost to the contractor based upon a nationally published industry-wide or nationally published and recognized cost index. The cost index used in a price adjustment clause shall be determined by the Department of Finance and Administration for the state agencies and by the governing board for governing authorities. The bid proposal and contract documents utilizing a price adjustment clause shall contain the basis and method of adjusting unit prices for the change in the cost of such commodities, equipment and public construction.

Purchase law violation prohibition and vendor penalty. No contract or purchase as herein authorized shall be made for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this section requiring competitive bids, nor shall it be lawful for any person or concern to submit individual invoices for amounts within those authorized for a contract or purchase where the actual value of the contract or commodity purchased exceeds the authorized amount and the invoices therefor are split so as to appear to be authorized as purchases for which competitive bids are not required. Submission of such invoices shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for thirty (30) days in the county jail, or both such fine and imprisonment. In addition, the claim or claims submitted shall be forfeited.

Electrical utility petroleum-based equipment purchase procedure. When in response to a proper advertisement therefor, no bid firm as to price is submitted to an electric utility for power transformers, distribution transformers, power breakers, reclosers or other articles containing a petroleum product, the electric utility may accept the lowest and best bid therefor although the price is not firm.

Fuel management system bidding procedure. Any governing authority or agency of the state shall, before contracting for the services and products of a fuel management or fuel access system, enter into negotiations with not fewer than two (2) sellers of fuel management or fuel access systems for competitive written bids to provide the services and products for the systems. In the event that the governing authority or agency cannot locate two (2) sellers of such systems or cannot obtain bids from two (2) sellers of such systems, it shall show proof that it made a diligent, good-faith effort to locate and negotiate with two (2) sellers of such systems. Such proof shall include, but not be limited to, publications of a request for proposals and letters soliciting negotiations and bids. For purposes of this paragraph (q), a fuel management or fuel access system is an automated system of acquiring fuel for vehicles as well as management reports detailing fuel use by vehicles and drivers, and the term “competitive written bid” shall have the meaning as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. Governing authorities and agencies shall be exempt from this process when contracting for the services and products of fuel management or fuel access systems under the terms of a state contract established by the Office of Purchasing and Travel.

Solid waste contract proposal procedure. Before entering into any contract for garbage collection or disposal, contract for solid waste collection or disposal or contract for sewage collection or disposal, which involves an expenditure of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), a governing authority or agency shall issue publicly a request for proposals concerning the specifications for such services which shall be advertised for in the same manner as provided in this section for seeking bids for purchases which involve an expenditure of more than the amount provided in paragraph (c) of this section. Any request for proposals when issued shall contain terms and conditions relating to price, financial responsibility, technology, legal responsibilities and other relevant factors as are determined by the governing authority or agency to be appropriate for inclusion; all factors determined relevant by the governing authority or agency or required by this paragraph (r) shall be duly included in the advertisement to elicit proposals. After responses to the request for proposals have been duly received, the governing authority or agency shall select the most qualified proposal or proposals on the basis of price, technology and other relevant factors and from such proposals, but not limited to the terms thereof, negotiate and enter into contracts with one or more of the persons or firms submitting proposals. If the governing authority or agency deems none of the proposals to be qualified or otherwise acceptable, the request for proposals process may be reinitiated. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph, where a county with at least thirty-five thousand (35,000) nor more than forty thousand (40,000) population, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, owns or operates a solid waste landfill, the governing authorities of any other county or municipality may contract with the governing authorities of the county owning or operating the landfill, pursuant to a resolution duly adopted and spread upon the minutes of each governing authority involved, for garbage or solid waste collection or disposal services through contract negotiations.

Minority set-aside authorization. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, any agency or governing authority, by order placed on its minutes, may, in its discretion, set aside not more than twenty percent (20%) of its anticipated annual expenditures for the purchase of commodities from minority businesses; however, all such set-aside purchases shall comply with all purchasing regulations promulgated by the Department of Finance and Administration and shall be subject to bid requirements under this section. Set-aside purchases for which competitive bids are required shall be made from the lowest and best minority business bidder. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “minority business” means a business which is owned by a majority of persons who are United States citizens or permanent resident aliens (as defined by the Immigration and Naturalization Service) of the United States, and who are Asian, Black, Hispanic or Native American, according to the following definitions:

“Asian” means persons having origins in any of the original people of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands.

“Black” means persons having origins in any black racial group of Africa.

“Hispanic” means persons of Spanish or Portuguese culture with origins in Mexico, South or Central America, or the Caribbean Islands, regardless of race.

“Native American” means persons having origins in any of the original people of North America, including American Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts.

Construction punch list restriction. The architect, engineer or other representative designated by the agency or governing authority that is contracting for public construction or renovation may prepare and submit to the contractor only one (1) preliminary punch list of items that do not meet the contract requirements at the time of substantial completion and one (1) final list immediately before final completion and final payment.

Procurement of construction services by state institutions of higher learning. Contracts for privately financed construction of auxiliary facilities on the campus of a state institution of higher learning may be awarded by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to the lowest and best bidder, where sealed bids are solicited, or to the offeror whose proposal is determined to represent the best value to the citizens of the State of Mississippi, where requests for proposals are solicited.

Insurability of bidders for public construction or other public contracts. In any solicitation for bids to perform public construction or other public contracts to which this section applies including, but not limited to, contracts for repair and maintenance, for which the contract will require insurance coverage in an amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), bidders shall be permitted to either submit proof of current insurance coverage in the specified amount or demonstrate ability to obtain the required coverage amount of insurance if the contract is awarded to the bidder. Proof of insurance coverage shall be submitted within five (5) business days from bid acceptance.

Purchase authorization clarification. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing any purchase not authorized by law.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-08; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 8; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 6; Laws, 1981, ch. 306, § 2; Laws, 1982, ch. 449, § 1; Laws, 1983, ch. 330, § 3, ch. 341; Laws, 1984, ch. 363; Laws, 1984, ch. 480, § 3; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 158; Laws, 1985, ch. 493, § 6; Laws, 1986, ch. 398; Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 14; Laws, 1988, ch. 351; Laws, 1988, ch. 589, § 23; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 65; Laws, 1989, ch. 349, § 1; Laws, 1989, ch. 394, § 3; Laws, 1990, ch. 534, § 27; Laws, 1990, ch. 545, § 2; Laws, 1990, ch. 561, § 2; Laws, 1990, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 51, § 2; Laws, 1991, ch. 337, § 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 523, § 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 571 § 3; Laws, 1993, ch. 418, § 2; Laws, 1993, ch. 617, § 12; Laws, 1993, ch. 556, § 3; Laws, 1994, ch. 471, § 2; Laws, 1994 Ex Sess, ch. 26, § 22; Laws, 1996, ch. 495, § 1; Laws, 1997, ch. 593, § 1; Laws, 1998, ch. 574, § 6; Laws, 1999, ch. 407, § 1; Laws, 1999, ch. 459, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 428, § 3; Laws, 2000, ch. 593, § 9; Laws, 2000, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 13; Laws, 2001, ch. 333, § 2; Laws, 2002, ch. 563, § 1; Laws, 2003, ch. 539, § 5; Laws, 2004, ch. 394, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 577, § 2; Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 190; Laws, 2005, ch. 504, § 5; Laws, 2006, ch. 446, § 1; Laws, 2007, ch. 423, § 1; Laws, 2007, ch. 424, § 2; Laws, 2007, ch. 494, § 7; Laws, 2007, ch. 582, § 22; Laws, 2008, ch. 417, § 1; Laws, 2008, ch. 469, § 1; brought forward without change, Laws, 2008, ch. 544, § 4; Laws, 2009, ch. 538, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 301, § 7; Laws, 2010, ch. 533, § 26; Laws, 2011, ch. 485, § 2; Laws, 2012, ch. 446, § 2; Laws, 2013, ch. 390, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 466, § 3; Laws, 2013, ch. 519, § 1; Laws, 2015, ch. 488, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 398, § 5; Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 16; Laws, 2017, ch. 411, § 1, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018; Laws, 2018, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 2, § 51, eff from and after September 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-13.1. Dual-phase design-build method of construction contracting; two-phase procedure for awarding contracts; compliance with minimum building code standards; awarding stipulated fees.

1. The method of contracting for construction described in this section shall be known as the “dual-phase design-build method” of construction contracting. This method of construction contracting may be used only when the Legislature has specifically required or authorized the use of this method in the legislation authorizing a project. At a minimum, the determination must include a detailed explanation of why using the dual-phase design-build method for a particular project satisfies the public need better than the traditional design-bid-build method based on the following criteria:
   1. The project provides a savings in time or cost over traditional methods; and
   2. The size and type of the project is suitable for design-build.
2. For each proposed dual-phase design-build project, a two-phase procedure for awarding a contract must be adopted. During Phase One, and before solicitation of initial proposals, the agency or governing authority shall develop, with the assistance of an architectural or engineering firm, a scope of work statement that provides prospective offerors with sufficient information regarding the requirements of the agency or governing authority. The scope of work statement must include, but is not limited to, the following information:
   1. Drawings must show overall building dimensions and major lines of dimensions, and site plans that show topography, adjacent buildings and utilities;
   2. Drawings must include information to adequately explain HVAC, electrical and structural requirements;
   3. The scope of work statement also must include building elevations, sections and design details; and
   4. The scope of work statement must include general budget parameters, schedule or delivery requirements, relevant criteria for evaluation of proposals, and any other information necessary to enable the design-builders to submit proposals that meet the needs of the agency or governing authority.
3. The agency or governing authority shall cause to be published once a week, for at least two (2) consecutive weeks in a regular newspaper published in the county in which the project is to be located, or a newspaper with statewide circulation, a notice inviting proposals for the dual-phase design-build construction project. The proposals shall not be opened in less than fifteen (15) working days after the last notice is published. The notice must inform potential offerors of how to obtain the scope of work statement developed for the project, and the notice must contain such other information to describe adequately the general nature and scope of the project so as to promote full, equal and open competition.
4. The agency or governing authority shall accept initial proposals only from entities able to provide an experienced and qualified design-build team that includes, at a minimum, an architectural or engineering firm registered in Mississippi and a contractor properly licensed and domiciled in Mississippi for the type of work required. From evaluation of initial proposals under Phase One, the agency or governing authority shall select a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of five (5) design-builders as “short-listed firms” to submit proposals for Phase Two.
5. During Phase Two, the short-listed firms will be invited to submit detailed designs, specific technical concepts or solutions, pricing, scheduling and other information deemed appropriate by the agency or governing authority as necessary to evaluate and rank acceptability of the Phase Two proposals. After evaluation of these Phase Two proposals, the agency or governing authority shall award a contract to the design-builder determined to offer the best value to the public in accordance with evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals, of which price must be one, but not necessarily the only, criterion.
6. If the agency or governing authority accepts a proposal other than the lowest dollar proposal actually submitted, the agency or governing authority shall enter on its minutes detailed calculations and a narrative summary showing why the accepted proposal was determined to provide the best value, and the agency or governing authority shall state specifically on its minutes the justification for its award.
7. All facilities that are governed by this section shall be designed and constructed to comply with standards equal to or exceeding the minimum building code standards employed by the state as required under Section 31-11-33 in force at the time of contracting. All private contractors or private entities contracting or performing under this section must comply at all times with all applicable laws, codes and other legal requirements pertaining to the project.
8. At its discretion, the agency or governing authority may award a stipulated fee equal to a percentage, as prescribed in the request for proposals, of the project’s final design and construction budget, as prescribed in the request for proposals, but not less than two-tenths of one percent (2/10 of 1%) of the project’s final design and construction budget, to each short-list offeror who provides a responsive, but unsuccessful, proposal. If the agency or governing authority does not award a contract, all responsive final list offerors shall receive the stipulated fee based on the owner’s estimate of the project final design and construction budget as included in the request for proposals. The agency or governing authority shall pay the stipulated fee to each offeror within ninety (90) days after the award of the initial contract or the decision not to award a contract. In consideration for paying the stipulated fee, the agency or governing authority may use any ideas or information contained in the proposals in connection with any contract awarded for the project, or in connection with a subsequent procurement, without any obligation to pay any additional compensation to the unsuccessful offerors. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, an unsuccessful short-list offeror may elect to waive the stipulated fee. If an unsuccessful short-list offeror elects to waive the stipulated fee, the agency or governing authority may not use ideas and information contained in the offeror’s proposal, except that this restriction does not prevent the agency or governing authority from using any idea or information if the idea or information is also included in a proposal of an offeror that accepts the stipulated fee.
9. This section shall not authorize the awarding of construction contracts according to any contracting method that does not require the contractor to satisfactorily perform, at a minimum, both any balance of design, using an independent professional licensed in Mississippi, and construction of the project for which the contract is awarded.
10. The provisions of this section shall not affect any procurement by the Mississippi Transportation Commission.
11. The provisions of this section shall not apply to procurement authorized in Section 59-5-37(3).

HISTORY: Laws, 2007, ch. 494, § 1; Laws, 2008, ch. 544, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved May 9, 2008.).

§ 31-7-13.2. Construction manager at risk method of project delivery; qualifications-based selection procedure for procuring architectural, engineering and land surveying services.

1. When used in this section, “construction manager at risk” means a method of project delivery in which a construction manager guarantees a maximum price for the construction of a project and in which the governing authority or board, before using this method of project delivery, shall include a detailed explanation of why using the construction manager at risk method of project delivery for a particular project satisfies the public need better than that traditional design-bid-build method based on the following criteria:
   1. The use of construction manager at risk for the project provides a savings in time or cost over traditional methods; and
   2. The size and type of the project is suitable for use of the construction management at risk method of project delivery.
2. When the construction manager at risk method of project delivery is used:
   1. There may be a separate contract for design services and a separate contract for construction services;
   2. The contract for construction services may be entered into at the same time as a contract for the design services or later;
   3. Design and construction of the project may be in sequential or concurrent phases; and
   4. Finance, maintenance, operation, reconstruction or other related services may be included for a guaranteed maximum price.
3. When procuring design professional services under a construction manager at risk project delivery method, the agency or governing authority shall procure the services of a design professional pursuant to qualifications-based selection procedures.
4. Before the substantial completion of the design documents, the agency or governing authority may elect to hire a construction manager.
5. When procuring construction management services, the agency or governing authority shall follow the qualifications-based selection procedures as outlined in subsection (10) of this section or the competitive sealed proposal procedures as outlined in Section 31-7-13.
6. The agency or governing authority may require the architect or engineer and the construction manager, by contract, to cooperate in the design, planning and scheduling, and construction process. The contract shall not make the primary designer or construction manager a subcontractor or joint venture partner to the other or limit the primary designer’s or construction manager’s independent obligations to the agency or governing authority.
7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter:
   1. Each project for construction under a construction manager at risk contract shall be a specific, single project with a minimum construction cost of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00).
   2. Each project under a construction manager at risk contract shall be a specific, single project. For the purposes of this paragraph, “specific, single project” means a project that is constructed at a single location, at a common location or for a common purpose.
8. Agencies shall retain an independent architectural or engineering firm to provide guidance and administration of the professional engineering or professional architecture aspects of the project throughout the development of the scope, design, and construction of the project.
9. The state shall, on an annual basis, compile and make public all proceedings, records, contracts and other public records relating to procurement transactions authorized under this section.
10. For purposes of this section, the “qualifications-based selection procedure” shall include:
    1. Publicly announcing all requirements for architectural, engineering, and land surveying services, to procure these services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications, and to negotiate contracts at fair and reasonable prices after the most qualified firm has been selected.
    2. Agencies or governing authorities shall establish procedures to prequalify firms seeking to provide architectural, engineering, and land surveying services or may use prequalification lists from other state agencies or governing authorities to meet the requirements of this section.
    3. Whenever a project requiring architectural, engineering, or land surveying services is proposed for an agency or governing authority, the agency or governing authority shall provide advance notice published in a professional services bulletin or advertised within the official state newspaper setting forth the projects and services to be procured for not less than fourteen (14) days. The professional services bulletin shall be mailed to each firm that has requested the information or is prequalified under Section 31-7-13. The professional services bulletin shall include a description of each project and shall state the time and place for interested firms to submit a letter of interest and, if required by the public notice, a statement of qualifications.
    4. The agency or governing authority shall evaluate the firms submitting letters of interest and other prequalified firms, taking into account qualifications. The agency or governing authority may consider, but shall not be limited to, considering:
       1. Ability of professional personnel;
       2. Past record and experience;
       3. Performance data on file;
       4. Willingness to meet time requirements;
       5. Location;
       6. Workload of the firm; and
       7. Any other qualifications-based factors as the agency or governing authority may determine in writing are applicable.

       The agency or governing authority may conduct discussions with and require public presentations by firms deemed to be the most qualified regarding their qualifications, approach to the project and ability to furnish the required services.

    5. The agency or governing authority shall establish a committee to select firms to provide architectural, engineering, and land surveying services. A selection committee may include at least one (1) public member nominated by a statewide association of the profession affected. The public member may not be employed or associated with any firm holding a contract with the agency or governing authority nor may the public member’s firm be considered for a contract with that agency or governing authority while serving as a public member of the committee. In no case shall the agency or governing authority, before selecting a firm for negotiation under paragraph (f) of this section, seek formal or informal submission of verbal or written estimates of costs or proposals in terms of dollars, hours required, percentage of construction cost, or any other measure of compensation.
    6. On the basis of evaluations, discussions, and any presentations, the agency or governing authority shall select no less than three (3) firms that it determines to be qualified to provide services for the project and rank them in order of qualifications to provide services regarding the specific project. The agency or governing authority shall then contact the firm ranked most preferred to negotiate a contract at a fair and reasonable compensation. If fewer than three (3) firms submit letters of interest and the agency or governing authority determines that one (1) or both of those firms are so qualified, the agency or governing authority may proceed to negotiate a contract under paragraph (g) of this section.
    7. The agency or governing authority shall prepare a written description of the scope of the proposed services to be used as a basis for negotiations and shall negotiate a contract with the highest qualified firm at compensation that the agency or governing authority determines in writing to be fair and reasonable. In making this decision, the agency or governing authority shall take into account the estimated value, scope, complexity, and professional nature of the services to be rendered. In no case may the agency or governing authority establish a maximum overhead rate or other payment formula designed to eliminate firms from contention or restrict competition or negotiation of fees. If the agency or governing authority is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the firm that is most preferred, negotiations with that firm shall be terminated. The agency or governing authority shall then begin negotiations with the firm that is next preferred. If the agency or governing authority is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with that firm, negotiations with that firm shall be terminated. The agency or governing authority shall then begin negotiations with the firm that is next preferred. If the agency or governing authority is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with any of the selected firms, the agency or governing authority shall reevaluate the architectural, engineering, or land surveying services requested, including the estimated value, scope, complexity, and fee requirements. The agency or governing authority shall then compile a second list of not less than three (3) qualified firms and proceed in accordance with the provisions of this section. A firm negotiating a contract with an agency or governing authority shall negotiate subcontracts for architectural, engineering, and land surveying services at compensation that the firm determines in writing to be fair and reasonable based upon a written description of the scope of the proposed services.
11. The provisions of this section shall not affect any procurement by the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

HISTORY: Laws, 2007, ch. 494, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2007.

§ 31-7-13.3 Fee for electronic submission of bids; fee charged winning bidder for participation in reverse auction.

1. Any governingauthority accepting electronic bid submissions for procurements maycharge the bidder a fee, or may require a fee to be paid to a third-partyservice provider, for an electronic bid submission. The amount ofthe fee shall not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per bid.
2. Any governingauthority using the reverse auction method of procurement may chargethe winning bidder a fee, or require the winning bidder to pay a feeto a third-party service provider, for participation in a reverseauction. The amount of the fee shall notexceed four percent (4%) of the winning bid amount.

HISTORY: Laws, 2018, ch. 306, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved March 5, 2018).

§ 31-7-14. Public contracts of energy efficiency services [Repealed effective July 1, 2019].

1. 1. For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

      Approval by the division of an energy services provider shall be granted in a prequalification process.

      Such energy services providers may petition the division to review their qualifications and deem them to be qualified for inclusion on a prequalification list if they meet the qualifications set forth by the division.

      Any energy services project that has been competitively bid and awarded prior to any change in law shall be allowed to continue under the laws current at the time the project was awarded.

      The division shall ensure that small businesses are not disadvantaged in the determination of a qualified energy services provider.

      1. “Division” means the Energy Division of the Mississippi Development Authority.
      2. “Energy services” or “energy efficient services” means energy efficiency equipment, services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment and improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities including, but not limited to, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, lighting, windows, insulation and energy management controls, life safety measures that provide long-term, operating-cost reductions, building operation programs that reduce operating costs, alternative fuel motor vehicles including vehicles that have been converted to such and ancillary equipment related to or associated with the fueling of alternative fuel motor vehicles, or other energy-conservation-related improvements, including improvements or equipment related to renewable energy, water and other natural resources conservation, including accuracy and measurement of water distribution and/or consumption, and other equipment, services and improvements providing verifiable cost savings.
      3. “Energy services provider” means a person or business with a successful record of documented energy savings projects that is experienced in the design, implementation and installation of energy conservation measures; has the technical capabilities to verify that such measures generate energy and operational cost savings or enhanced revenues; has the ability to guarantee the savings; has the ability to secure or arrange the financing necessary to support the implementation of the energy conservation measures; and is approved by the division.
      4. “Entity” means the board of trustees of any public school district, junior college, institution of higher learning, publicly owned hospital, state agency or governmental authority under this chapter.
      5. “Energy services contract” means an agreement to provide energy services which include, but are not limited to, the design, installation, financing and maintenance or management of the energy systems or equipment in order to improve its energy efficiency. Payments for the contract are not contingent upon the actual savings realized from the equipment.
      6. “Energy performance contract” means an agreement to provide energy services which includes, but is not limited to, the design, installation, financing and maintenance or management of the energy systems or equipment in order to improve its energy efficiency.
      7. “Shared-savings contract” means an agreement where the contractor and the entity each receive a preagreed percentage or dollar value of the energy cost savings over the life of the contract.
      8. “Reduce operating costs” means elimination of future expenses or avoidance of future replacement expenditures as a result of new equipment installed or services performed. Material savings, labor savings, cancelled maintenance contracts, et cetera, shall be considered as being viable to reduce operating costs. Reduce operating costs may be included in the performance contract or energy services agreement solely at the discretion of the entity. A contract that otherwise satisfies the requirements of this section shall satisfy the requirements allowing use of an energy performance, energy services or shared-savings contract even if the sole expense being eliminated is maintenance expense.
      9. “Capital cost avoidance” means planned capital improvement expenditures that will be avoided through implementation of the energy services project. Capital cost avoidance may be included in an energy services contract or an energy performance contract solely at the discretion of the entity. Capital cost avoidance may be claimed as an annual avoidance or as a one-time avoidance in a specific year of the contract term, depending upon the nature of the avoided capital cost.
      10. “Alternative fuel motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle propelled by alternative fuel either as a dedicated alternative fuel vehicle, as a bi-fuel vehicle using alternative fuel as one of its fuels, or as a dual fuel vehicle using alternative fuel as one of its fuels.
      11. “Energy conservation measure” means the individual items or components of a large energy services or energy efficient services program.
      12. “Simple payback period” means the amount of time for the recuperation of the initial investment. The simple payback period is calculated by dividing the initial investment by the annual savings. The simple payback period for any contract shall not exceed twenty (20) years. The simple payback period of an individual energy conservation measure shall not be considered in any evaluation provided the simple payback period for the contract does not exceed twenty (20) years.
   2. An entity may enter into an energy services contract, energy performance contract, shared-savings contract, any of which may contain a lease, or lease-purchase contract for energy efficiency equipment, services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities and shall contract in accordance with the following provisions:
      1. The division may assemble a list of prequalified energy services providers. The division shall use objective criteria in the selection process. The criteria for evaluation shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: to assess the capability of the qualified energy services provider in the area of design engineering, installation, maintenance and repairs associated with energy services or guaranteed energy performance contracts; qualifications including engineering depth and experience, post-installation project monitoring, data collection, and verification of and reporting of savings; overall project experience and qualifications; management capability; ability to access long-term sources of project financing; financial health and stability, litigation history with customers and other factors determined by the division to be relevant and appropriate and related to the ability to perform the project. The division shall either accept or reject an application for prequalification from an energy services provider within sixty (60) days after receipt. If the division fails to act within sixty (60) days from the date of receiving an application, then the application shall automatically be accepted and the energy services provider shall be added to the prequalified list.
      2. An entity shall publicly issue requests for proposals, advertised in the same manner as provided in Section 31-7-13 for seeking competitive sealed bids, concerning the provision of energy efficiency services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities or the design, installation, ownership, operation and maintenance of energy efficiency equipment. Those requests for proposals shall contain terms and conditions relating to submission of proposals, evaluation and selection of proposals, financial terms, legal responsibilities, and any other matters as the entity determines to be appropriate for inclusion.
      3. Upon receiving responses to the request for proposals, the entity may select the most qualified proposal or proposals on the basis of experience and qualifications of the proposers, the technical approach, the financial arrangements, the overall benefits to the entity and any other relevant factors determined to be appropriate.
      4. An entity shall negotiate and enter into contracts with the person, persons, firm or firms submitting the proposal selected as the most qualified under this section.
      5. The annual rate of interest paid under any lease-purchase agreement authorized by this section shall not exceed the maximum interest rate to maturity on general obligation indebtedness permitted under Section 75-17-101.
      6. The maximum lease-purchase term for any equipment acquired under this section shall not exceed the lesser of twenty (20) years or the average useful life of the energy conservation measures from the date the energy conservation measures have been completed and accepted by the governmental unit.
      7. This subsection shall, with respect to the procurement of energy efficiency services and/or equipment, supersede any contradictory or conflicting provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, and other laws with respect to awarding public contracts.
2. 1. The division may contract with a party selected under this subsection to provide financing to entities and private “nonprofit” hospitals, to purchase energy efficiency equipment, services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities or an energy saving performance contract, energy services contract, or lease-purchase basis. Any energy efficiency lease financing contract entered into by the division before May 15, 1992, shall be valid and binding when the contract was entered into under this subsection.
   2. The entities and private “nonprofit” hospitals that decide to contract for energy efficiency equipment, services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities on a lease, energy services contract or lease-purchase basis, may request financial assistance from the division.
   3. The provisions of any energy efficiency lease-purchase agreements authorized under this subsection (2) shall comply with the requirements of subsection (1)(b)(v) of this section. The term of any lease or lease-purchase agreement for energy efficiency services and/or equipment entered into under this section shall not exceed twenty (20) years, commencing on the completion of the installation of equipment or improvements under the contract.
   4. Any entity or private “nonprofit” hospital having approval of the division may borrow money in anticipation of entering into a lease-purchase agreement pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section. Any borrowing may be upon terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the borrowing entity and the party advancing interim funds; however, the principal on any borrowing shall be repaid within a period of time not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days. In borrowing money under this paragraph (d), it is not necessary to publish notice of intention to do so or to secure the consent of the qualified electors, either by election or otherwise. Any borrowing may be negotiated between the parties and is not required to be publicly bid, may be evidenced by negotiable notes or lease and shall not be considered when computing any limitation of indebtedness of the borrowing entity established by law. The principal, interest and costs of incurring any borrowing shall not exceed the principal amount of the final contract or agreement approved by the division, and accepted by the borrowing entity, under subsection (2)(b) of this section.
   5. This subsection (2) shall, with respect to the procurement of energy efficiency services and/or equipment, supersede the provisions of any contradictory or conflicting provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, and other laws with respect to awarding public contracts.
3. All lease-purchase agreements authorized by this section and the income from those agreements shall be exempt from all taxation within the State of Mississippi, except gift, transfer and inheritance taxes.
4. 1. An entity may contract for energy efficiency equipment services relating to the installation, operation or maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities on a shared-savings basis or performance basis.
   2. If an entity decides to enter into a contract for energy efficiency equipment, services relating to the installation, operation or maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities on a shared-savings basis or performance basis, the entity shall issue a request for proposals or a request for qualifications, as determined necessary by the division, in the same manner as prescribed under subsection (1)(b) of this section. The entity shall notify the division in writing of its intention to issue a request for proposals or a request for qualifications.
   3. The terms of any shared-savings contract, energy services contract, or energy performance contract entered into under this section may not exceed twenty (20) years, commencing on the completion of the installation of equipment or improvements under the contract.
   4. The terms of any shared savings or energy performance contract entered into under this section must contain a guarantee of savings clause from the company providing energy efficiency equipment services relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment or improvements reasonably required to existing or new equipment and existing or new improvements and facilities.
5. 1. By March 1 and September 1 of each year, each entity that enters into an energy performance contract or shared-savings contract shall report to the division its energy usage by meter in dollars and consumption by fuel type for the previous six-month period determined by the division.
   2. The division shall remove qualified status of an energy services provider that fails to meet the reporting requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection after two (2) such violations.
   3. Any costs associated with the reporting made under this subsection (5) shall be paid by the energy services provider.
6. The contract may be construed to provide flexibility to public agencies in structuring agreements entered into hereunder so that economic benefits may be maximized.
7. This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2019.

HISTORY: Laws, 1985, ch. 493, § 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 571 § 1; Laws, 1997, ch. 405, § 1; Laws, 1998, ch. 593, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 503, § 1; Laws, 2006, ch. 503, § 1; Laws, 2014, ch. 481, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 424, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2017.

§ 31-7-14.1. Division of Energy and Transportation authorized to establish energy savings incentive program.

1. Any agency as defined in this chapter that receives state budgetary consideration and has submitted a detailed energy management plan to the Energy Division of the Department of Economic and Community Development, referred to in this section as “division,” as required under Section 57-39-111 shall undertake energy efficiency projects for the purpose of producing energy and/or dollar savings whereby a portion of the savings may be retained by the participating agency. The plan shall describe specific measures to be implemented to reduce the agency’s energy consumption by energy unit measure or energy cost. The division shall provide assistance in preparing the detailed energy management plan according to prescribed guidelines and reporting procedures. The plan shall specify a project description of the energy efficiency measures to be undertaken, including, but not limited to, type of measure, cost, estimated savings in dollars and energy units, project and measure location, and terms and conditions of project financing.
2. 1. Utilizing data submitted under Sections 57-39-107 and 57-39-109, the division shall develop and approve energy consumption baselines before project implementation, if feasible, and measure energy consumption after project implementation considering adjustments for any agency growth or reduction and seasonal variances, and calculate total energy savings. The division shall derive a baseline use allocation to be utilized and submitted in each participating agency’s annual budget.
   2. For purposes of this section, “net savings” and “net revenues” mean any funds remaining after payment of project capital costs, including debt service, and other payments and reserves as required by a bond resolution, loan agreement or other financing agreement and payment of project operating and maintenance expenses.
3. Net savings and net revenues generated from projects shall be apportioned as follows:
   1. Any agency initiating energy savings through the implementation of an energy efficiency project may retain one-half (1/2) of all such net savings which may be used for any nonrecurring capital projects; and
   2. The remaining net savings and net revenues from conservation projects shall be remitted to the State General Fund.

      The Energy Division shall verify the net savings and net revenues on an annual basis.

4. The use by an agency of net savings and net revenues from energy efficiency projects shall be in addition to, and shall not supplant or replace, funding from traditional sources for their normal operations and maintenance or capital budgets. It is the intent of this subsection to ensure that the agencies receive the full benefit intended by this section, and that the effect will not be diminished by budget adjustments inconsistent with this intent.

HISTORY: Laws, 1992, ch. 584, § 1; Laws, 1998, ch. 593, § 2; Laws, 2001, ch. 518, § 6, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 30, 2001.).

§ 31-7-15. Preferences for awarding contracts for commodities; procurement of products made from recovered materials; state agencies to purchase products manufactured or sold by Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever economically feasible.

1. Whenever two (2) or more competitive bids are received, one or more of which relates to commodities grown, processed or manufactured within this state, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the commodities grown, processed or manufactured within this state shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to commodities grown, processed or manufactured within this state whenever purchases are made without competitive bids, and when practical the Department of Finance and Administration may by regulation establish reasonable preferential policies for other commodities, giving preference to resident suppliers of this state.
2. Any foreign manufacturing company with a factory in the state and with over fifty (50) employees working in the state shall have preference over any other foreign company where both price and quality are the same, regardless of where the product is manufactured.
3. On or before January 1, 1991, the Department of Finance and Administration shall adopt bid and product specifications to be utilized by all state agencies that encourage the procurement of commodities made from recovered materials. Preference in awarding contracts for commodities shall be given to commodities offered at a competitive price.
4. Each state agency is required to procure products made from recovered materials when those products are available at a competitive price. For purposes of this subsection, “competitive price” means a price not greater than ten percent (10%) above the lowest and best bidder. A decision not to procure products made from recovered materials must be based on a determination that such procurement:
   1. Is not available within a reasonable period of time; or
   2. Fails to meet the performance standards set forth in the applicable specifications; or
   3. Is not available at a competitive price.
5. Whenever economically feasible, each state agency is required to purchase products manufactured or sold by the Mississippi Industries for the Blind.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-08; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 8; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 72; Laws, 1990, ch. 507, § 11; Laws, 1992, ch. 414 § 1; Laws, 2005, ch. 473, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2005.

§ 31-7-16. Purchase of certain equipment capable of being manufactured or assembled in separate units.

In the event equipment is required which is capable of being manufactured or assembled in separate units such as school bus chassis and bodies or other bodies of equipment installed upon chassis, and there is a manufacturer of such bodies located within the State of Mississippi, a public purchase may be made of such chassis and such body or equipment as separate items.

HISTORY: Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 36, eff from and after July 1, 1985.

§ 31-7-17. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14 § 74, eff from and after passage (approved August 16, 1988).

[Codes, 1942, § 9024-09; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 9]

§ 31-7-18. Purchase of certain motor vehicles.

In addition to the method of purchasing authorized in this chapter, said governing authorities are hereby authorized to accept the lowest bid received from a motor vehicle dealer domiciled within the county of the governing authority for the purchase of any motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds that shall not exceed a sum equal to three percent (3%) greater than the price or cost which the dealer pays the manufacturer, as evidenced by the factory invoice for the motor vehicle. In the event said county does not have an authorized motor vehicle dealer, said board or governing authority may, in like manner, receive bids from motor vehicle dealers in any adjoining county.

No purchase of a motor vehicle under the provisions of this section shall be valid unless the purchase is made according to statutory bidding and licensing requirements. Provided, however, that the governing authorities may choose to purchase a motor vehicle from the authorized state contract dealer without having to advertise and receive bids therefor.

No purchase shall be made in excess of the approved state contract price by any of the aforementioned governing authorities when such authorities are situated wholly or in part in the county wherein the authorized state contract dealer for a particular item is domiciled.

HISTORY: Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 7, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

§ 31-7-19. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1993, ch. 556, § 6, eff from and after July 1, 1993.

[Codes, 1942, § 9024-10; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 13; 1980, ch. 440, § 8; 1984, ch. 488, § 159; 1985, ch. 493, § 7; 1985, ch. 525, § 19]

§ 31-7-21. Functions of Department of Finance and Administration.

The provisions of this chapter shall neither repeal nor modify the functions of the Governor’s Office of General Services as set forth in Sections 31-11-1 through 31-11-89.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024-11; Laws, 1962, ch. 497, § 14; Laws, 1968, ch. 506, § 22; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 9; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 73, eff from and after passage (approved August 16, 1988).

§ 31-7-23. Rebates, refunds, etc. from vendor to inure to benefit of agency or governing authority.

Any rebates, refunds, coupons, merit points, gratuities or any article of value tendered or received by any agency or governing authority from any vendor of material, supplies, equipment or other articles shall inure to the benefit of the agency or governing authority making the purchase. The agency or governing authority may, in accordance with its best interest, either take delivery of the article of value tendered and use the same or convert it to cash by selling it for its fair and reasonable value, making use of the proceeds from such sale for the exclusive benefit of the agency or governing authority.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9024.5; Laws, 1958, ch. 480, §§ 1-4; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 10, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

§§ 31-7-25 through 31-7-37. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1980, ch 440, § 28, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

§31-7-25. [Codes, 1942, § 9026.5-01; Laws, 1962, ch. 414, § 1; 1970, ch. 421, § 1; Am Laws 1972, ch 496, § 1; 1975, ch. 331; 1978, ch 407, § 1]

§§31-7-27 through31-7-37. [Codes, 1942, §§ 9026.5-02 through 9026.5-07; Laws, 1962, ch. 414, §§ 2-71]

§ 31-7-38. Establishment of group purchasing programs by certain public hospitals and regional mental health centers.

The board of trustees or governing board of any hospital or regional mental health center owned or owned and operated separately or jointly by the State of Mississippi or any of its branches, agencies, departments or subdivisions, or by one or more counties, cities, towns, supervisors districts or election districts, or combinations thereof, may authorize by resolution the organization and operation of, or the participation in, a group purchasing program with other hospitals or regional mental health centers, for the purchase of supplies, commodities and equipment when it appears to the board of trustees or governing board that such a group purchasing program could or would affect economy or efficiency in their operations. Purchases by hospitals or regional mental health centers participating in group purchasing programs of supplies, commodities and equipment through such programs shall be exempt from the provisions of Sections 31-7-9, 31-7-10, 31-7-11, 31-7-12 and 31-7-13.

HISTORY: Laws, 1975, ch. 330; Laws, 1979, ch. 507; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 11; Laws, 1982, ch. 499, § 2; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 66; Laws, 1990, ch. 520, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 322, § 1; Laws, 1994, ch. 471, § 1; Laws, 1999, ch. 318, § 1; Laws, 2001, ch. 335, § 1; Laws, 2001, ch. 473, § 1; Laws, 2005, ch. 360, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 345, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 444, § 1; Laws, 2016, ch. 395, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2016.

§§ 31-7-39 through 31-7-45. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 28, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

§31-7-39. [Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 6660; 1930, § 6064; Laws, 1942, § 9027; Laws, 1914, ch. 206; Laws, 1946, ch. 375, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 1; ch. 392, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 362; Laws, 1960, ch. 392, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1962, chs. 268, 414, 508, § 8; Laws, 1966, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 512, § 1; Am Laws, 1973, ch 426 § 1; Laws, 1974, ch. 541, § 1; Laws, 1975, ch. 470, § 1; Laws, 1976, ch. 491; Laws, 1977, ch 423; Laws, 1980, ch. 396]

§31-7-41. [Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 6660; 1930, § 6064; Laws, 1942, § 9027; Laws, 1914, ch. 206; Laws, 1946, ch. 375, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 1; ch. 392, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 362; Laws, 1960, ch. 392, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1962, chs. 268, 414, 508, § 8; Laws, 1966, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 512, § 1; Am Laws, 1975, ch. 470 § 2]

§31-7-43. [Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 6660; 1930, § 6064; 1942, § 9027; Laws, 1914, ch. 206; Laws, 1946, ch. 375, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 1; ch. 392, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 362; Laws, 1960, ch. 392, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1962, chs. 268, 414, 508, § 8; Laws, 1966, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 512, § 1; Am Laws 1975, ch. 470 § 3]

§31-7-45. [Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 6660; 1930, § 6064; Laws, 1942, § 9027; Laws, 1914, ch. 206; Laws, 1946, ch. 375, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 1; ch. 392, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 362; Laws, 1960, ch. 392, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1962, chs. 268, 414, 508, § 8; Laws, 1966, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 512, § 1]

§ 31-7-47. Preference to resident contractors.

In the letting of public contracts, preference shall be given to resident contractors, and a nonresident bidder domiciled in a state, city, county, parish, province, nation or political subdivision having laws granting preference to local contractors shall be awarded Mississippi public contracts only on the same basis as the nonresident bidder’s state, city, county, parish, province, nation or political subdivision awards contracts to Mississippi contractors bidding under similar circumstances. Resident contractors actually domiciled in Mississippi, be they corporate, individuals or partnerships, are to be granted preference over nonresidents in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state, city, county, parish, province, nation or political subdivision of domicile of the nonresident.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 6660; 1930, § 6064; 1942, § 9027; Laws, 1914, ch. 206; Laws, 1946, ch. 375, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 1; ch. 392, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 362; Laws, 1960, ch. 392, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1962, chs. 268, 414, 508, § 8; Laws, 1966, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 1968, ch. 512, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 12; Laws, 1995, ch. 408, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved March 15, 1995).

§ 31-7-48. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 28, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

[En, Laws, 1973, ch. 426, § 1]

§ 31-7-49. Purchases under contract.

In placing orders for purchases under bids received and contracts awarded under the provisions of this chapter, the governing authority, by orders entered on its minutes, may authorize its members, or agents designated by its order, to place orders for the purchase of such supplies and materials from time to time during the period covered by the contract, as such supplies and materials are needed. Claims for such supplies so ordered by an individual board member or other duly authorized agent shall not be allowed and paid by the board until such claims shall have been approved in writing by the individual board member or agent who ordered such supplies or the successor to such member or agent.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9027-01; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 2; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 13; Laws, 1981, ch. 306, § 3; Laws, 1984, ch. 480, § 4, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-7-51. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1993, ch. 556, § 6, eff from and after July 1, 1993.

[Codes, 1942, § 9027-11; Laws, 1956, ch. 373]

§ 31-7-53. Fertilizer.

In making any and all purchases of fertilizer for all state institutions and agencies, the board, officer, or employee given the authority to make such purchases shall take into consideration the chemical analysis and percentage of plant food unit value in such fertilizer in determining the lowest and best bid. No awards of contracts shall be made until the best price is determined on the basis of the chemical analysis as to the plant food unit value of the product, and the contract shall be awarded on the basis of such an analysis of the plant food unit value.

This section does not apply for the purchase of material by research agencies of the state for use in experimental projects.

The state penitentiary board, the board of trustees of the state institutions of higher learning, and any other agency, department, or board of trustees of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized to purchase all needed quantities of anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate fertilizers available through the facilities of Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. Such purchase may be at public or private sale, provided that such fertilizers can be obtained for not more than the price that the same are then available to such board, agency, or department from any other source.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 9027-12, 9027-14; Laws, 1956, ch. 142; Laws, 1958, ch. 146.

§ 31-7-55. Penalties.

[For penalties applicable to violations occurring between January 1, 1981, and August 15, 1988, the following provisions govern.]

1. It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a violation of public policy of the State of Mississippi for any elected or appointed public officer of the state or the executive head of a state board, commission, department, subdivision of the state government or governing authority to make any purchases without the full compliance with the provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972. Any elected or appointed public officer of the state or the executive head of a state board, commission, department, subdivision of the state government or governing authority who violates the provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction therefor, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each separate offense, or sentenced to the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, and shall be removed from his office or position.
2. Any person diverting the benefits of any article of value tendered or received by any agency or governing authority to his or her personal use, in violation of Section 31-7-23, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or sentenced to the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and shall be required to return the money value of the article unlawfully diverted to the agency involved.

HISTORY: Codes, 1930, § 6065; 1942, §§ 9024-14, 9024.5, 9027-02, 9028; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 480, §§ 1-4; Laws, 1970, ch. 353, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 14; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 67, eff from and after passage (approved August 16, 1988).

§ 31-7-55. Penalties.

[The following provisions apply to violations which occur on or after August 16, 1988.]

1. It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a violation of public policy of the State of Mississippi for any elected or appointed public officer of an agency or a governing authority, or the executive head, any employee or agent of an agency or governing authority to make any purchases without the full compliance with the provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, any person who intentionally, willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each separate offense, or sentenced to the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, and shall be removed from his office or position.
3. Any person who intentionally, willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 31-7-57 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or sentenced to the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, and shall be removed from his office or position.
4. Any person diverting the benefits of any article of value tendered or received by any agency or governing authority to his or her personal use, in violation of Section 31-7-23, if the value of such article be less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or sentenced to the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, shall be removed from his office or position, and shall be required to return the money value of the article unlawfully diverted to the agency or governing authority involved. If the value of the article be Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more, such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or sentenced to the Department of Corrections for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment, shall be removed from his office or position, and shall be required to return the money value of the article unlawfully diverted to the agency or governing authority involved.
5. The provisions of this section are supplemental to any other criminal statutes of this state.

HISTORY: Codes, 1930, § 6065; 1942, §§ 9024-14, 9024.5, 9027-02, 9028; Laws, 1950, ch. 292, § 3; Laws, 1958, ch. 480, §§ 1-4; Laws, 1970, ch. 353, § 1; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 14; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 67, eff from and after passage (approved August 16, 1988).

§ 31-7-57. Individual liability for unlawful expenditures; disposition of recovered funds.

1. Any elected or appointed public officer of an agency or a governing authority, or the executive head, any employee or agent of an agency or governing authority, who appropriates or authorizes the expenditure of any money to an object not authorized by law, shall be liable personally for up to the full amount of the appropriation or expenditure as will fully and completely compensate and repay such public funds for any actual loss caused by such appropriation or expenditure, to be recovered by suit in the name of the governmental entity involved, or in the name of any person who is a taxpayer suing for the use of the governmental entity involved, and such taxpayer shall be liable for costs in such case. In the case of a governing board of an agency or governing authority, only the individual members of the governing board who voted for the appropriation or authorization for expenditure shall be liable under this subsection.
2. No individual member, officer, employee or agent of any agency or board of a governing authority shall let contracts or purchase commodities or equipment except in the manner provided by law, including the provisions of Section 25-9-120(3), Mississippi Code of 1972, relating to personal and professional service contracts by state agencies; nor shall any such agency or board of a governing authority ratify any such contract or purchase made by any individual member, officer, employee or agent thereof, or pay for the same out of public funds unless such contract or purchase was made in the manner provided by law; provided, however, that any vendor who, in good faith, delivers commodities or printing or performs any services under a contract to or for the agency or governing authority, shall be entitled to recover the fair market value of such commodities, printing or services, notwithstanding some error or failure by the agency or governing authority to follow the law, if the contract was for an object authorized by law and the vendor had no control of, participation in, or actual knowledge of the error or failure by the agency or governing authority.
3. The individual members, officers, employees or agents of any agency or governing authority as defined in Section 31-7-1 causing any public funds to be expended, any contract made or let, any payment made on any contract or any purchase made, or any payment made, in any manner whatsoever, contrary to or without complying with any statute of the State of Mississippi, regulating or prescribing the manner in which such contracts shall be let, payment on any contract made, purchase made, or any other payment or expenditure made, shall be liable, individually, and upon their official bond, for compensatory damages, in such sum up to the full amount of such contract, purchase, expenditure or payment as will fully and completely compensate and repay such public funds for any actual loss caused by such unlawful expenditure.
4. In addition to the foregoing provision, for any violation of any statute of the State of Mississippi prescribing the manner in which contracts shall be let, purchases made, expenditure or payment made, any individual member, officer, employee or agent of any agency or governing authority who shall substantially depart from the statutory method of letting contracts, making payments thereon, making purchases or expending public funds shall be liable, individually and on his official bond, for penal damages in such amount as may be assessed by any court of competent jurisdiction, up to three (3) times the amount of the contract, purchase, expenditure or payment. The person so charged may offer mitigating circumstances to be considered by the court in the assessment of any penal damages.
5. Any sum recovered under the provisions hereof shall be credited to the account from which such unlawful expenditure was made.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1) of this section, any individual member of an agency or governing authority as defined in Section 31-7-1 shall not be individually liable under this section if he voted against payment for contracts let or purchases made contrary to law and had his vote recorded in the official minutes of the board or governing authority at the time of such vote, or was absent at the time of such vote.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 444, §§ 1-3; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 15; Laws, 1981, ch. 306, § 4; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 68; Laws, 1997, ch. 609, § 8, eff from and after June 29, 1997.

§ 31-7-59. Purchase by municipalities from United States General Services Administration.

1. Any municipality of over one hundred thousand (100,000) population, according to the latest decennial census and qualified to do so, is hereby empowered to purchase from the General Services Administration of the United States of America, without advertising for bids, any and all articles of supplies and equipment necessary for the operation of said municipality so long as the purchase price of such articles is below the purchase price of similar articles on a state contract accepted by the Office of General Services.
2. The aforesaid supplies and equipment may likewise be purchased from the General Services Administration without advertising for bids even though the Office of General Services does not have same listed on statewide contracts so long as the purchase price thereof is ten percent (10%) below the latest purchase price of comparable supplies and equipment.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 388, §§ 1, 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 160; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 20, eff from and after July 1, 1985.

§ 31-7-61. Governmental purchases of foreign beef; prohibition against.

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to purchase or to authorize or requisition the purchase of beef other than beef raised and produced within the United States when such purchase is to be paid by the state government or any of its political subdivisions out of public funds of any nature. However, all canned meats not available which are processed in the United States shall be exempt from Sections 31-7-61 through 31-7-65.

HISTORY: Laws, 1975, ch. 345, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved March 12, 1975).

§ 31-7-63. Governmental purchases of foreign beef; penalties.

Any person who violates the provisions of Section 31-7-61 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). In addition to any criminal sanction authorized herein, a civil proceeding may be brought by a district attorney or county prosecuting attorney for recovery of funds paid out in violation of this section.

HISTORY: Laws, 1975, ch. 345, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved March 12, 1975).

§ 31-7-65. Governmental purchases of foreign beef; commissioner of agriculture and commerce to give notice.

The commissioner of agriculture and commerce of the State of Mississippi shall notify all state agencies, political subdivisions or public institutions within the State of Mississippi as to the provisions of Sections 31-7-61 through 31-7-65.

HISTORY: Laws, 1975, ch. 345, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved March 12, 1975).

§§ 31-7-67 through 31-7-71. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 28, eff from and after January 1, 1981.

§31-7-67. [En Laws, 1976, ch. 466, § 1]

§31-7-69. [En Laws, 1976, ch. 466, § 2]

§31-7-71. [En Laws, 1976, ch. 466, § 3]

§ 31-7-73. Authority of state agencies to contract for energy efficiency services.

Any state agency, as defined in Section 31-7-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to enter into an energy performance contract, energy services contract, on a shared-savings, lease or lease-purchase basis, for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as provided for in Section 31-7-14.

HISTORY: Laws, 1985, ch. 493, § 2; Laws, 2014, ch. 481, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2014.

§§ 31-7-75 through 31-7-83. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1997, ch. 312, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 1997.

[Laws, 1988, ch. 501, §§ 1-5].

§ 31-7-101. Implementation of central purchase system; establishment of department of purchasing; appointment of purchase clerk and receiving clerk.

From and after the first Monday of January 1989, the supervisors of each county in the state shall establish a central purchase system. The central purchase system shall be administered by a county department of purchasing headed by a purchase clerk who, unless the chancery clerk is appointed by the board of supervisors as purchase clerk as hereinafter authorized, shall be appointed by the county administrator, with the approval of the board of supervisors, in any county required to operate under a countywide system of road administration, or who shall be appointed by the board of supervisors in any other county. The purchase clerk shall not be a member of the board of supervisors. The purchase clerk shall be the director of the department of purchasing. No person shall serve as the purchase clerk who, within one (1) year after his appointment, does not receive certification from the State Auditor as having successfully completed the professional education program offered for purchase clerks pursuant to Section 19-3-77.

The department of purchasing shall purchase all equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials and services used by any office or department of the county except for those offices or departments whose expenditures are not required by law to be approved by the board of supervisors. The purchase clerk may, subject to the approval of the entity which appointed him, hire personnel necessary to operate the department of purchasing efficiently. Unless the chancery clerk is appointed by the board of supervisors as receiving clerk as hereinafter authorized, the county administrator, with the approval of the board of supervisors, in any county required to operate under the countywide system of road administration, or the board of supervisors in any other county, shall appoint a receiving clerk, who shall not be a member of the board of supervisors. Assistant receiving clerks, when necessary, may be appointed by the receiving clerk subject to the approval of the entity which appointed him. No person shall serve as the receiving clerk who, within one (1) year after his appointment, does not receive certification from the State Auditor as having successfully completed the professional education program offered for receiving clerks pursuant to Section 19-3-77. The receiving clerk and his assistants shall be solely responsible for accepting the delivery of all equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials and services purchased by the county.

The purchase clerk shall disapprove any purchase requisitions which, in his opinion, are not in compliance with the purchasing laws of the state.

The board of supervisors may designate the chancery clerk, with his consent, to serve as the purchase clerk or assistant purchase clerk or as the receiving clerk or assistant receiving clerk; however a chancery clerk designated as purchase clerk or assistant purchase clerk may not also serve as receiving clerk or assistant receiving clerk, and a chancery clerk designated as receiving clerk or assistant receiving clerk may not serve as purchase clerk or assistant purchase clerk. Neither the purchase clerk nor any assistant purchase clerks shall serve as the receiving clerk or as an assistant receiving clerk.

When the chancery clerk serves as county administrator and purchase clerk or assistant purchase clerk, the receiving clerk and any assistant receiving clerks shall be appointed by and serve at the will and pleasure of the board of supervisors.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 1; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 21, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-103. General responsibility of purchase clerk; central purchase system to comply with requirements of State Department of Audit; purchases of $1,000.00 or less.

The purchase clerk shall be responsible as hereinafter provided for the purchase and acquisition of all equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials and services to be acquired for the county from successful bidders or other vendors, as authorized by law. The central purchase system shall comply with the requirements prescribed by the State Department of Audit under the authority of Section 7-7-211 and in accordance with Section 31-7-113, and the purchase clerk shall be responsible for the maintenance of such system. No requisition to purchase, purchase order or receiving report shall be required for the purchase of any item or services with an acquisition cost of not more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) in the aggregate; however, the invoice for every such purchase shall be signed by the department head or his or her designee, or a receipt signed by the person making the purchase shall be attached to the invoice and forwarded to the purchase clerk.No claim based on any such purchase shall be approved except after compliance with the provisions of this section.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 2; Laws, 1975, ch. 359; Laws, 1984, ch. 312; Laws, 1985, ch. 514, § 12; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 22; Laws, 1994, ch. 476, § 1; Laws, 2008, ch. 340, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 420, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 429, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2017.

§ 31-7-105. Procedure on bids.

Upon acceptance of any bid by the board of supervisors, as provided in Section 31-7-13, the clerk of the board of supervisors, shall forthwith deliver to the purchase clerk a certified copy of such accepted bid. The accepted bid or offer to furnish equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials or services shall constitute the sole source for such purchase, unless such purchase is otherwise authorized by law. The term “lowest and best bid” shall not include any person, firm, partnership or corporation other than the person, firm, partnership or corporation actually submitting the bid determined to be the lowest and best bid.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 3; Laws, 1980, ch. 440, § 16; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 23, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-107. Inventory control.

In addition to the required central purchase system, from and after the first Monday in January 1989, each county shall establish and maintain an inventory control system pursuant to requirements prescribed by the State Department of Audit under the authority of Section 7-7-211 and in accordance with Section 31-7-113; provided, however, that not more than a sixty (60) day inventory of supplies, commodities and materials shall be kept on hand unless otherwise approved by the board of supervisors. The inventory control clerk shall be employed or designated in the same manner and by the same entity which employs or designates the purchase clerk. The inventory control clerk shall be responsible for the maintenance of such system and such other personnel as may be required for the efficient operation of the inventory control system and shall not be a member of the board of supervisors. No person shall serve as the inventory control clerk who, within one (1) year after his appointment, does not receive certification from the State Auditor as having successfully completed the professional education program offered for inventory control clerks pursuant to Section 19-3-77. The opening entries of such system shall be compiled by the inventory control clerk from a physical inventory which the board of supervisors shall cause to be made of all property of the county by April 1, 1989, and such beginning inventory shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of supervisors. The clerk of the board of supervisors shall deliver to the inventory control clerk a certified copy of such inventory within seven (7) days after the acceptance of the beginning inventory by the board of supervisors. Following acceptance of the beginning inventory, the inventory control clerk, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the State Auditor, shall perform physical inventories of assets of the county on or before October 1 of each year and shall file with the board of supervisors, in triplicate, a written report of such inventory. The clerk of the board of supervisors shall keep the original of each inventory report so filed by the inventory control clerk as a permanent record of the county and shall forward a copy to the State Department of Audit not later than October 15. In a separate report to the clerk of the board, the inventory control clerk shall list additions to and deletions from the annual inventory report and shall also list items unaccounted for from the previous annual inventory report.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 4; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 24, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-109. Receiving reports.

The receiving clerk or his assistants shall, upon proper delivery of equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials or services, acknowledge receipt of goods in compliance with a receipting system prescribed by the State Department of Audit under the authority of Section 7-7-211 and in accordance with Section 31-7-113, and the receiving clerk shall be responsible for the maintenance of such system.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 5; Laws, 1975, ch. 360; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 25, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-111. Custody of records.

Such records, reports, supporting documents or data compiled, maintained, protected or otherwise in the custody of either the purchase clerk or the inventory control clerk shall be made freely available to the other immediately upon request. Such records, reports, supporting documents or data shall be public records and shall be made available for inspection during reasonable hours to any person requesting the same.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 6, eff from and after passage (approved April 4, 1974).

§ 31-7-113. State department of audit to design and prescribe forms and systems.

The State Department of Audit, under the authority of Section 7-7-211, shall design and prescribe the form of the inventory to be made, the form of the purchase requisition, the form of the purchase order, the form of the receiving report; prescribe systems of filing and prescribe the system of records necessary for the maintenance of a central purchase system, receiving system and an inventory control system; and shall promulgate and prescribe such other documentation, procedures and regulations necessary for the efficient maintenance of such systems.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 7; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 26, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-115. Audit reports.

The State Auditor, or a certified public accountant employed by the State Auditor, shall, upon the close of the fiscal year of the county, make an audit of the books, records, supporting documents and other data of the county purchase clerk and the inventory control clerk. The Auditor shall review the county’s compliance with Section 31-7-13(d), (k) and (m). The audit report shall include a schedule of purchases not made from the lowest bidder under the authority of Section 31-7-13(d), with the reasons given therefor. The audit report shall include a schedule of emergency purchases made under the authority of Section 31-7-13(k). The audit report shall include a schedule of purchases made noncompetitively from a sole source under the authority of Section 31-7-13(m). Such audit report shall be published in at least one (1) newspaper published in the county, or if no newspaper is published in the county, then in a newspaper having general circulation in the county.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 8; Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 15; Laws, 1994, ch. 594, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1994.

§ 31-7-117. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 61, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

[En Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 9]

§ 31-7-118. County employees permitted to also serve as purchase clerk, receiving clerk or inventory clerk.

1. Nothing in Sections 31-7-101 through 31-7-127 shall be construed to prohibit the board of supervisors from designating any county employees, in addition to other responsibilities, to also serve as purchase clerk, receiving clerk or inventory control clerk; however, except as otherwise authorized in Section 19-4-1 and subsection (2) of this section, any employee designated to serve as one of the foregoing shall not at the same time be designated to serve as any of the other.
2. In any county having a population of less than three thousand (3,000) according to the latest federal decennial census, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, designate the same person to serve as purchase clerk, receiving clerk and inventory control clerk, or any combination of such positions.

HISTORY: Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 27, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-119. Board of supervisors not to purchase, order or receive products for county; exceptions.

1. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, neither the board of supervisors nor any member thereof shall individually purchase, order or receive any equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials or services for the use or benefit of the county.
2. In any county in which the board of supervisors is not required to operate on a countywide system of road administration, the prohibition as provided in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply (a) to purchases of not more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) in the aggregate; or (b) to the purchase of parts or repair services in emergency situations, which purchases are exempt from bid requirements pursuant to Section 31-7-13(m) (ii) and (iii), Mississippi Code of 1972. Any supervisor who purchases any item or services in accordance with this subsection (2) shall sign the invoice or receipt and forward it to the purchase clerk in the manner provided by Section 31-7-103. No claim based on any such purchase shall be approved unless the purchase was made in compliance with the provisions of this subsection.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 10; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 28; Laws, 1994, ch. 476, § 2; Laws, 2008, ch. 340, § 2; Laws, 2012, ch. 420, § 2; Laws, 2017, ch. 429, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2017.

§§ 31-7-121 and 31-7-123. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 61, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§31-7-121. [En Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 11]

§31-7-123. [En Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 12; 1986, ch. 458, § 35]

§ 31-7-124. Bond of purchase clerk, receiving clerk and inventory control clerk.

The purchase clerk, receiving clerk and inventory control clerk shall give bond in a penalty equal to Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law. All assistant purchasing, receiving and inventory control clerks shall be bonded in a penalty not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Such bond shall be in addition to any other bond required by law, with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law. The premiums of such bonds shall be paid from any funds available to the board of supervisors for the payment of such premiums.

HISTORY: Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 29; Laws, 2009, ch. 467, § 13, eff from and after July 1, 2009.

§ 31-7-125. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 61, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

[En Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 13; 1986, ch. 458, § 36]

§ 31-7-127. Enforcement.

In order to ensure the proper enforcement of Sections 31-7-101 through 31-7-127, as well as to ensure the enforcement of all other laws pertaining to county government or the board of supervisors, the district attorney, in addition to any other powers he already has, shall have the power to investigate the personnel, records or supervisors of any county in his district and shall have the power to bring criminal or civil actions to recover funds illegally spent, to recover damages, or to seek injunctive relief to prevent unlawful acts or compel lawful ones by supervisors or other personnel of county government. In the event of a refusal or failure of the district attorney to act, the Attorney General in a proper case may exercise the above powers of the district attorney, notwithstanding the absence of a request for investigation or action by the district attorney.

HISTORY: Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 14; Laws, 1988 Ex Sess, ch. 14, § 30, eff from and after January 2, 1989.

§ 31-7-129. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1983, ch. 469, § 10, eff from and after July 1, 1983.

[En Laws, 1974, ch. 513, § 15]

§§ 31-7-201 through 31-7-225. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1995, ch. 622, § 23, eff from and after July 1, 1995.

§31-7-201. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 289]

§31-7-203. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 374, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 290; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 21; 1994 Ex Sess, ch. 26, § 23]

§31-7-205. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 3; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 291]

§31-7-207. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 4; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 292; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 22]

§31-7-209. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 5; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 293; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 23]

§31-7-211. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 13; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 294; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 24]

§31-7-213. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 6; 1984, ch. 488, § 295; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 25]

§31-7-215. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 7; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 296; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 26]

§31-7-217. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 8; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 297; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 27]

§31-7-219. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 9; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 298; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 28]

§31-7-221. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 10; 1984, ch. 374, § 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 299; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 29]

§31-7-223. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 11; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 300; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 30; Laws, 1986, ch. 329]

§31-7-225. [Laws, 1983, ch. 516, § 12; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 301; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 31]

§ 31-7-301. Legislative findings; meaning of term “public bodies.”

1. The Legislature hereby declares that it is essential to the efficient operation of public bodies of this state that adequate supplies of goods and services continue to be available from private sources; that the good name and credit of the state may be promoted by timely and responsible payment of just claims; and that fair compensation be awarded suppliers when payments of their claims are delayed without justification.
2. The term “public bodies” shall mean all state agencies, political subdivisions, school districts, municipalities and public corporations, whether created by charter, statute or executive order, whether supported wholly or in part by public funds, or which expend public funds.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 1, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-303. Time for filing requisition for payment of invoice; time for mailing warrant in payment of invoice.

1. The requisition for payment of an invoice submitted to a public body and required by law to be filed with the State Fiscal Management Board shall be filed with the State Fiscal Management Board not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the invoice and receipt, inspection and approval of the goods or services, except that in the case of a bona fide dispute the requisition for payment shall contain a statement of the dispute and authorize payment only in the amount not disputed. If a requisition for payment filed within the thirty-day period is returned by the State Fiscal Management Board because of an error, it shall nevertheless be deemed timely filed. The thirty-day filing requirement may be waived by the State Fiscal Management Board on a showing of exceptional circumstances in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Fiscal Management Board.
2. The warrant, in payment of an invoice submitted to a public body of the state, shall be mailed or otherwise delivered by the public body not later than fifteen (15) days after filing of the requisition for payment; however, this requirement may be waived by the State Fiscal Management Board on a showing of exceptional circumstances in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Fiscal Management Board or as otherwise provided in Section 7-7-35, Mississippi Code of 1972.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 2, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-305. Recordkeeping and notice requirements; time for mailing check in payment of invoice; time for payment in event of dispute; interest penalties.

1. All public bodies of the state, including those which issue checks and those which file requisitions for payment with the State Fiscal Management Board, shall keep a record of the date of receipt of the invoice, dates of receipt, inspection and approval of the goods or services, date of issuing the check or date of filing the requisition for payment, as the case may be, and date of mailing or otherwise delivering the warrant or check in payment thereof. In the event that the State Fiscal Management Board mails or otherwise delivers the warrant directly to the claimant, pursuant to Section 7-7-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, the State Fiscal Management Board shall notify the public body of the date thereof. The provisions of this section are supplemental to the requirements of Sections 19-13-29, 21-39-7, 21-39-13 and 37-5-93, Mississippi Code of 1972.
2. All public bodies that are authorized to issue checks in payment of goods and services and are not required to issue requisitions for payment to the State Fiscal Management Board shall mail or otherwise deliver such checks no later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of the invoice and receipt, inspection and approval of the goods or services; however, in the event of a bona fide dispute, the public body shall pay only the amount not disputed.
3. If a warrant or check, as the case may be, in payment of an invoice is not mailed or otherwise delivered within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the invoice and receipt, inspection and approval of the goods and services, the public body shall be liable to the vendor, in addition to the amount of the invoice, for interest at a rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2 %) per month or portion thereof on the unpaid balance from the expiration of such forty-five-day period until such time as the warrant or check is mailed or otherwise delivered to the vendor. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply only to undisputed amounts for which payment has been authorized. In the case of an error on the part of the vendor, the forty-five-day period shall begin to run upon receipt of a corrected invoice by the public body and upon compliance with the other provisions of this section. The various public bodies shall be responsible for initiating the penalty payments required by this subsection and shall use this subsection as authority to make such payments. Also, at the time of initiating such penalty payment, the public body shall specify in writing an explanation of the delay and shall attach such explanation to the requisition for payment of the penalty or to the file copy of the check issued by the public body, as the case may be.
4. 1. In the event of a bona fide dispute as to an invoice, or any portion thereof, the dispute shall be settled within thirty (30) days after interest penalties could begin to be assessed, if it were not for the dispute.
   2. If a warrant or check, as the case may be, in payment of an invoice, subject to a prior dispute, is not mailed or otherwise delivered within thirty (30) days after settlement of the dispute, the public body shall be liable to the vendor, in addition to the amount of the invoice, for interest at a rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2 %) per month or portion thereof on the unpaid balance from the expiration of said thirty-day period until such time as the warrant or check is mailed or otherwise delivered to the vendor. At the time of initiating such penalty payment, the public body shall specify in writing an explanation of the delay and shall attach such explanation to the requisition for payment of the penalty or to the file copy of the check issued by the public body, as the case may be. The interest penalty prescribed in this paragraph shall be in lieu of the penalty provided in subsection (3).

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 3, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-307. Disclosure of late payments and interest penalties; preferential payment of certain invoices to obtain discount.

1. The budget request submitted by a public body to the Legislature shall specifically disclose the amount of any interest paid by any public body pursuant to Sections 31-7-301 through 31-7-317. However, no provision of Sections 31-7-301 through 31-7-317 authorizes a new appropriation to cover such interest penalties, and public bodies shall not seek to increase appropriations for the purpose of obtaining funds to pay any interest penalties.
2. All public bodies of the state, including those which issue checks and those which file requisitions for payment with the State Fiscal Management Board, shall monthly notify the State Fiscal Management Board of the number and dollar amount of late payments by the public body along with the amounts of interest paid and the specific steps being taken to reduce the incidence of late payments.
3. If the terms of the invoice provide a discount for payment in less than forty-five (45) days, public bodies shall preferentially process it and use all diligence to obtain the savings by compliance with the invoice terms, if it would be cost effective.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 4, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-309. Recovery of attorney’s fees in action to collect interest penalty.

Whenever a vendor brings formal administrative or judicial action to collect interest due under Sections 31-7-301 through 31-7-317, the public body shall be required to pay any reasonable attorney’s fees if the vendor prevails.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 5, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-311. Annual summary of payment record.

The State Fiscal Management Board shall submit to the Appropriations Committee of each house of the Legislature by January 15 of each year a report summarizing the payment record for the preceding fiscal year. The report shall include the number and dollar amount of late payments by each public body along with the amounts of interest paid and the specific steps being taken to reduce the incidence of late payments.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 6, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-313. Adoption and promulgation of rules and regulations.

The State Fiscal Management Board is authorized and directed to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this section.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 7, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-315. Relation to provisions governing payments under public works contracts.

Sections 31-7-301 through 31-7-317 shall not affect payment under public works contracts as provided in Sections 31-5-25 and 31-5-27, Mississippi Code of 1972.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § 8, eff from and after October 1, 1986.

§ 31-7-317. Feasibility studies.

1. The Governor’s Office of General Services shall study the feasibility of:
   1. Requiring the Bureau of Purchasing to act as purchasing agent for state agencies;
   2. Requiring the Bureau of Purchasing to purchase frequently used products and supplies and warehouse them for state agencies, especially in the Jackson metropolitan area; and
   3. A small business/minority set-aside program.
2. On or before January 15, 1987, the Governor’s Office of General Services shall transmit its written report of the feasibility studies to the Legislature, along with its recommendations and an estimate of the fiscal impact of the recommendations. If the Governor’s Office of General Services recommends that the bureau should be required to act as purchasing agent for smaller state agencies, the report shall include a list of state agencies to be included.

HISTORY: Laws, 1986, ch. 489, § , eff from and after passage (approved April 15, 1986).

§ 31-7-401. Applicability.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the provisions of Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423 shall apply to every procurement of commodities, supplies, equipment, construction, technology, personal and professional services other than those in Section 27-104-7(2)(f) and (8), state agency employee benefits, supplemental insurance and cafeteria plans, that are solicited by any state agency by a request for proposals or request for qualifications. The following provisions are intended to ensure that the best practices for soliciting requests for proposals or requests for qualifications are implemented. Any agency that is required to receive approval by the Public Procurement Review Board before entering into a personal or professional services contract as provided in subsection (2)(g) of Section 27-104-7 shall implement the best practices specified in Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423. The Public Procurement Review Board shall promulgate any necessary rules and regulations to administer the provisions of Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 1, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-403. Conditions for use.

1. Competitive sealed bidding is the preferred method of procurement; however, if it is not practicable and advantageous, a request for proposals or request for qualifications may be used. The terms “practicable” and “advantageous” are to be given ordinary dictionary meanings. The term “practicable” denotes what may be accomplished or put into practical application. “Advantageous” denotes a judgmental assessment of what is in the state’s best interest.
2. The following factors shall be considered when determining advantageousness:
   1. The need for flexibility;
   2. The type of evaluations that will be needed after offers are received;
   3. Whether the evaluation factors involve the relative abilities of offerers to perform, including degrees of technical or professional experience or expertise;
   4. Whether the type of need to be satisfied involves weighing artistic and aesthetic values to the extent that price is a secondary consideration;
   5. Whether the types of supplies, services or construction may require the use of comparative judgmental evaluations to evaluate them adequately; and
   6. Whether prior procurements indicate that a request for proposals may result in more beneficial contracts for the state.
3. The following factors shall be considered when determining practicability:
   1. Whether the contract needs to be a contract other than a fixed-price type contract;
   2. Whether oral or written discussions may need to be conducted with offerers concerning technical and price aspects of their proposals;
   3. Whether offerers may need to be afforded the opportunity to revise their proposals, including price;
   4. Whether the award may need to be based upon a comparative evaluation of differing price and contractual factors as well as quality factors that include technical and performance capability and the content of the technical proposal; and
   5. Whether the primary consideration in determining award may not be price.
4. On or before January 1 of each year, and every time a chief procurement officer is hired, each state agency shall provide to the state purchasing agent the name of the state agency’s chief procurement officer and information identifying the state agency’s central purchasing office, if applicable. If the chief procurement officer of an agency or his or her designee determines, in writing, that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the state, he or she shall submit a detailed explanation of the reasons for that determination to the Public Procurement Review Board. If the Public Procurement Review Board determines that competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the state, then a contract may be entered into for the procurement of commodities, supplies, equipment, construction, technology, personal and professional services, state agency purchased employee benefits or state agency supplemental insurance and cafeteria plans, by a request for proposals or request for qualifications. However, these procurements contracted for through a request for proposals or request for qualifications may not be combined or included in a contract with other procurements that are required to be procured through competitive sealed bidding so as to avoid the statutory obligation for procurement through competitive sealed bidding. The board may modify or revoke its determination at any time, and the determination should be reviewed for current applicability from time to time.

   In addition to determining whether a request for proposals or request for qualifications would be practicable and advantageous to the state, when making the decision to use a request for proposals or request for qualifications, the chief procurement officer shall consider the following factors:

   1. Whether quality, availability or capability is overriding in relation to price in procurements for research and development, technical supplies or services;
   2. Whether the initial installation needs to be evaluated together with later maintenance and service capabilities and what priority should be given to these requirements in the best interests of the state; and
   3. Whether the marketplace will respond better to a solicitation permitting not only a range of alternative proposals but evaluation and discussion of them before making the award.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 2, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-405. Content of the request for proposals or request for qualifications.

1. The request for proposals or request for qualifications shall include the following:
   1. Instructions and information to offerers concerning the request for proposals or request for qualifications submission requirements, including the time and date set for receipt of proposals or qualifications, the address of the office to which proposals or qualifications are to be delivered, the maximum time for proposal or qualification acceptance by the state, the manner in which proposals or qualifications are to be submitted, including any forms for that purpose and any other special information;
   2. The purchase description, evaluation factors, delivery or performance schedule and any inspection and acceptance requirements that are not included in the purchase description;
   3. The contract terms and conditions, including warranty and bonding or other security requirements, as applicable;
   4. A statement that discussions may be conducted with offerers who submit proposals or qualifications determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for the award, but that proposals or qualifications may be accepted without such discussions; and
   5. A statement of when and how price should be submitted.
2. The request for proposals or request for qualifications may incorporate documents by reference provided that the request for proposals or request for qualifications specifies where those documents can be obtained.
3. Proposal or qualification preparation time shall be set to provide offerers a reasonable time to prepare their proposals or qualifications. A minimum of thirty (30) days shall be provided unless a shorter time is deemed necessary for a particular procurement as determined in writing by the chief procurement officer of the requesting agency.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 3, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-407. Public notice.

1. In addition to any method of public notice regarding the solicitation of requests for proposals or requests for qualifications currently being used by state agencies, the chief procurement officer shall also have posted on the Mississippi procurement portal and on the soliciting agency’s website, public notification of a pending procurement through request for proposals or request for qualifications. The notice shall include the following:
   1. The due date for responses;
   2. The name and phone number of the officer conducting the procurement; and
   3. The means of obtaining the solicitation.
2. The notice shall be posted at least thirty (30) days before the date that proposals or qualifications are to be submitted to the chief procurement officer, unless a shorter time is deemed necessary for a particular procurement as determined in writing by the chief procurement officer of the requesting agency.
3. Each chief procurement officer may determine that other methods of public notification are best for that particular agency or that particular request for proposals or request for qualifications. If such a determination is made, the chief procurement officer may provide notice in an alternative manner about the request for proposals or request for qualifications in addition to the methods provided for in Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423.
4. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) shall monitor agency websites and the Mississippi procurement portal to ensure that the agencies are posting the required notice. DFA shall audit agencies and report its findings to the Chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees and House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees by December 31 of each year.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 4, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-409. Pre-proposal conferences.

1. Pre-proposal conferences may be conducted to explain the procurement requirements. If a chief procurement officer plans to hold such a conference, he or she shall prominently place the notification in the request for proposals or request for qualifications solicitation. The notification shall include the date, time and location of the conference. If the chief procurement officer decides to hold a pre-proposal conference after the request for proposals or request for qualifications has been sent out, then he or she shall notify all prospective offerers known to have received a request for proposals or request for qualifications.
2. If a pre-proposal conference is held, it shall be at least fourteen (14) days after the request for proposals or request for qualifications has been issued. In setting the time for the conference, the chief procurement officer shall consider the complexity of the procurement and the potential modifications that may need to be made after the conference and any amendments to the solicitation that the chief procurement officer may need to make after the conference.
3. The chief procurement officer issuing the request for proposals or request for qualifications shall serve as chair of the conference. Offerers attending the conference shall be required to sign an attendance sheet provided by the soliciting agency. The chair shall announce at the beginning of the conference how the conference is to be handled. The conference shall be recorded. A chief procurement officer may mandate attendance at a conference if he or she feels it is critical to understanding the solicitation. Once the conference is over, the chief procurement officer shall put the recordings from the conference and the questions and answers from the conference in writing and send them to the offerers who received the request for proposals or request for qualifications and post them on the Mississippi procurement portal and the soliciting agency’s website.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 5, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-411. Drafting the request for proposals or request for qualifications.

1. In addition to the items listed in Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423, the contents of a request for proposals or request for qualifications shall also include the following:
   1. A statement that discussions may be conducted with offerers who submit proposals or qualifications determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for the award, but that proposals or qualifications may also be accepted without those discussions; and
   2. A statement of when and how price should be submitted.
2. The request for proposals or request for qualifications shall indicate, either by the order listed, weights or some other manner, the order of importance of the evaluation criteria.
3. The request for proposals or request for qualifications, its amendments, the offerer’s proposals or qualifications and the best and final offer shall constitute the contract.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 6, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-413. Evaluation factors in the request for proposals or request for qualifications.

1. When the chief procurement officer submits the determination that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or not advantageous to the state to the Public Procurement Review Board for its approval, he or she shall include in that submission the evaluation factors that will be used in reviewing the submitted proposals or qualifications. The evaluation factors shall be approved by the Public Procurement Review Board in the same way that the decision to solicit procurements through a request for proposals or request for qualifications must be approved.
2. 1. The request for proposals or request for qualifications shall state all of the approved evaluation factors, including price, and their relative importance. When the chief procurement officer is determining the weights and importance of each evaluation factor, price as an evaluation factor shall be given the highest criteria weighting and at least thirty-five percent (35%) out of the one hundred percent (100%) total weight of all the other evaluation factors. The evaluation shall be based on the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals or request for qualifications. The evaluation factors used and the weights given to each shall be decided and agreed to by the evaluation committee before the opening of any proposal or qualification. Numerical rating systems shall be used when determining the weight and importance of each evaluation factor. Factors not specified in the request for proposals or request for qualifications shall not be considered. Upon completion of the evaluation, the evaluation score sheets used to review the submitted proposals or qualifications shall be made part of the report required under Section 31-7-423(1).
   2. The following, as appropriate to individual circumstances, shall be used as criteria for evaluating requests for proposals or requests for qualifications under the request for proposals or request for qualifications process described in Sections 31-7-401 through 31-7-423. These factors are not intended to be limiting or all-inclusive, and they may be adapted or supplemented in order to meet a soliciting agency’s individual needs as the competitive procurement process requires.

      a. Does the offerer’s proposal or qualification demonstrate a clear understanding of the scope of work and related objectives?

      b. Is the offerer’s proposal or qualification complete and responsive to the specific request for proposals or request for qualifications requirements?

      c. Has the past performance of the offerer’s proposed methodology been documented?

      d. Does the offerer’s proposal or qualification use innovative technology and techniques?

      1. Project management:

      a. How well does the proposed scheduling timeline meet the needs of the soliciting agency?

      b. Is there a project management plan?

      2. History and experience in performing the work:

      a. Does the offerer document a record of reliability of timely delivery and on-time and on-budget implementation?

      b. Does the offerer demonstrate a track record of service as evidenced by on-time, on-budget, and contract compliance performance?

      c. Does the offerer document industry or program experience?

      d. Does the offerer have a record of poor business ethics?

      3. Availability of personnel, facilities, equipment and other resources:

      a. To what extent does the offerer rely on in-house resources vs. contracted resources?

      b. Are the availability of in-house and contract resources documented?

      4. Qualification and experience of personnel:

      a. Documentation of experience in performing similar work by employees and when appropriate, sub-contractors?

      b. Does the offerer demonstrate cultural sensitivity in hiring and training staff?

      1. Technical factors (Proposed methodology):
      2. Management factors (Factors that will require the identity of the offerer to be revealed must be submitted separately from other factors):
      3. Cost factors (Factors must be submitted separately from other factors unless specifically approved by the Public Procurement Review Board):

      1. Cost of goods to be provided or services to be performed:

      a. Relative cost: How does the cost compare to other similarly scored proposals or qualifications?

      b. Full explanation: Is the price and its component charges, fees, etc. adequately explained or documented?

      2. Assurances of performance:

      a. If required, are suitable bonds, warranties or guarantees provided?

      b. Does the proposal or qualification include quality control and assurance programs?

      3. Offerer’s financial stability and strength: Does the offerer have sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations?

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 7, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-415. Evaluation committee.

1. Evaluation committees shall be used to evaluate request for proposals or request for qualifications and award contracts. Persons appointed to an evaluation committee shall have the relevant experience necessary to evaluate the proposal or qualification. The members of the evaluation committee shall have no personal, financial or familial interest in any of the contract offerers, or principals thereof, to be evaluated.
2. The names of the members of the evaluation committee shall not be publicly disclosed until their evaluation report as required under Section 31-7-423(1). The members’ names and job titles shall be made available to the public. Where evaluation committee members are not public employees, those members’ names, educational and professional qualifications, and practical experience, that were the basis for the appointment, shall be made available to the public.
3. Before evaluating proposals or qualifications, each individual participating in the evaluation of a proposal or qualification shall execute a statement in accordance with subsection (1) of this section certifying that he or she does not have a conflict of interest. The statement shall be filed with the chief procurement officer of the soliciting agency, before beginning the evaluation process. The certification shall be as follows:

   “I hereby certify that I have reviewed the conflict of interest standards prescribed herein, and that I do not have a conflict of interest with respect to the evaluation of this proposal or qualification. I further certify that I am not engaged in any negotiations or arrangements for prospective employment or association with any of the offerers submitting proposals or qualifications or their parent or subsidiary organization.”

4. Committee members may conduct their work separately or together.
5. The committee may use advisors, as it deems necessary to give opinions on evaluating proposals or qualifications, except that such advisors shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section. The names of the advisors shall be made public at the same time as members of the evaluation committee as provided in subsection (2) of this section. For the purposes of this section, the term “advisors” shall mean those individuals who provide such significant input to a member or members of the evaluation committee that the advisor’s opinions are fundamental in shaping the committee member’s evaluation of the submitted proposals or qualifications.
6. The process of establishing weighting criteria and evaluating proposals or qualifications shall result in a finding that a specific proposal or qualification is the most practical and advantageous, price and other factors considered, or that all proposals or qualifications should be rejected.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 8, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-417. Receipt and registration of proposals or qualifications.

1. Submitted proposals or qualifications shall be opened at the time designated for opening in the request for proposals or request for qualifications. Proposals or qualifications and modifications shall be date-stamped or time and date-stamped upon receipt and held in a secure place until the established due date. Electronic proposals or qualifications received will be stored in an electronic lockbox until the time designated for the opening of the proposal or qualification.
2. As each proposal or qualification is submitted but before those proposals or qualifications are opened, the chief procurement officer shall designate a person to prepare a register of proposals or qualifications, which shall include the number of modifications received, if any, and a description sufficient to identify the supply, service, commodity or other item offered. The designated person shall assign each submitted proposal or qualification an identifying letter, number, or combination thereof, without revealing the name of the offerer who submitted each proposal or qualification to the chief procurement officer or any person named to the evaluation committee for that proposal or qualification. The designated person shall keep the names of the offerers and their identifying numbers or letters, or combination thereof, in a sealed envelope or other secure location until factors not requiring knowledge of the name of the offerer have been evaluated and scored. If the designated person reveals the names of the offerers and the corresponding identifying information before such time, the procurement process shall be terminated and the proposal or qualifications resolicited. The register of proposals or qualifications shall be made part of the report required under Section 31-7-423(1).

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 9; Laws, 2017, ch. 411, § 2, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-419. Evaluating submitted proposals or qualifications.

1. The evaluation committee shall evaluate proposals or qualifications only in accordance with the methodology and weighting criteria described in the request for proposals or request for qualifications. Proposals or qualifications shall be initially classified as: (a) acceptable; (b) potentially acceptable, which means reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable; or (c) unacceptable. Offerers whose proposals or qualifications are unacceptable shall be so notified promptly.
2. Discussions may be held with offerers to:
   1. Promote understanding of the state’s requirements and the offerer’s proposals or qualifications; and
   2. Facilitate arriving at a contract that will be the most practicable and advantageous to the state taking into consideration price and the other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals or request for qualifications.
3. Offerers shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussions and revisions of proposals or qualifications. Any discussions that take place under the provisions of this section shall be recorded and the recordings shall be made public upon award of the contract. The chief procurement officer shall establish procedures and schedules for conducting discussions. If, during discussions, there is a need for any substantial clarification of or change in the request for proposals or request for qualifications, the request shall be amended to incorporate the clarification or change. Auction techniques, revealing one offerer’s price to another, and disclosure of any information derived from competing proposals is prohibited. Any substantial oral clarification of a proposal or qualification shall be reduced to writing by the offerer.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 10, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-421. Best and final offers.

The chief procurement officer shall establish a common date and time for the submission of best and final offers. Best and final offers shall be submitted only once; however, the chief procurement officer may make a written determination that it is in the state’s best interest to conduct additional discussions or change the state’s requirements and require another submission of best and final offers. Otherwise, no discussion of or changes in the best and final offers shall be allowed before the award. Offerers shall also be informed that if they do not submit a notice of withdrawal or another best and final offer, their immediate previous offer will be construed as their best and final offer.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 11, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-7-423. Awarding the contract.

1. After proposals or qualifications have been evaluated, the evaluation committee shall prepare a report evaluating and recommending the award of a contract or contracts. The report shall list the names of all potential offerers who submitted a proposal or qualification and shall summarize the proposals or qualifications of each offerer. The report shall rank offerers in order of evaluation, shall recommend the selection of an offerer or offerers, as appropriate, for a contract, shall be clear in the reasons why the offerer or offerers have been selected among others considered, and shall detail the terms, conditions, scope of services, fees and other matters to be incorporated into the contract. The report shall be available to the public at least forty-eight (48) hours before the awarding of the contract.
2. The chief procurement officer shall publish a notice on the agency’s website and the Mississippi procurement portal summarizing the award of the contract, which shall include but not be limited to, the nature, duration and amount of the contract, the name of the offerer and a statement that the contract is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the chief procurement officer.

HISTORY: Laws, 2017, ch. 400, § 12, eff from and after Jan. 1, 2018.

§ 31-8-1. Legislative purpose; construction of chapter.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a method to enable counties and municipalities to acquire public buildings, facilities and equipment through the use of rental contracts. This chapter shall be construed in conformity with such intention and shall be an alternative to those methods which may be otherwise provided by law.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-8-3. Purposes for which counties and municipalities may lease facilities.

The counties and municipalities of this state, acting by and through the governing authorities thereof, are hereby authorized and empowered to enter into lease agreements with any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture or individual under which the county or municipality may agree to lease a facility for use by the lessor for any of the following purposes for a primary term not to exceed twenty (20) years:

Public buildings;

Courthouses;

Office buildings;

Jails;

Auditoriums;

Community centers;

Civic art centers;

Public libraries;

Gymnasiums; and

Machinery and equipment for use in connection with any of the above, but shall not include office furniture and/or office machines, provided that the primary term of a lease with respect to machinery and equipment shall not exceed the estimated useful economic life of such machinery and equipment, as such useful economic life is mutually agreed upon by the lessor and lessee.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the acquisition of public school buildings through the use of rental contracts.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-8-5. Option to purchase.

All such leases shall contain an option granting to the county or municipality the right to purchase the leased property upon the expiration of the primary term, or upon such earlier date as may be agreed upon, at a price not to exceed the unpaid principal balance at such time.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-8-7. Lease of real property by municipality to private concern for construction or renovation of buildings or facilities; subleases to United States Postal Service or to any other state or federal agency.

1. The counties and municipalities of the state are authorized to lease publicly owned real property to any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture or individual for the purpose of enabling such person to construct or renovate thereon any of the buildings or facilities described in Section 31-8-1 and to lease such buildings and facilities to the county or municipality. No such ground lease shall be for a primary term in excess of the primary term of the lease with respect to the buildings and facilities to be constructed thereon.
2. The counties and municipalities of the state are authorized to sublease buildings and facilities leased pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to the United States Postal Service or to any state or federal governmental agency. Any sublease entered into pursuant to this subsection may contain an option granting the sublessee the right to purchase the leased property upon the expiration of the primary term of the sublease, or upon such earlier date as may be agreed upon, at a price not to exceed the unpaid principal balance at such time.

   Before entering into any lease agreement pursuant to this subsection, the board of supervisors or the governing authorities of the municipality shall follow and be subject to the same procedures regarding publishing notice, filing protest and holding an election specified for lease agreements under Section 31-8-11, except that the notice shall not state that the rental is a continuing obligation and a charge against the general credit and leasing power of the county or municipality.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 4; Laws, 1996, ch. 473, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved April 5, 1996).

§ 31-8-9. Term of lease; pledge of full faith and credit; limitation of obligation to money appropriated.

Subject to the provisions of this chapter, any such lease agreement may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, and any such lease agreement shall be binding upon the county or municipality and any other party thereto in accordance with its terms. Any such lease agreement may include, at the discretion of the governing authorities entering into the same, a pledge of the full faith and credit of such county or municipality for the payment of its monetary obligations thereunder; or may contain a provision that so long as no default of any monetary obligation of the lessee has occurred, the lessee’s obligation to pay any amounts due or perform any covenants requiring or resulting in the expenditure of money shall be contingent and expressly limited to the extent of any specific appropriation made by the governing authorities to fund such lease agreement, and that nothing contained in the lease agreement shall be construed as creating any monetary obligation on the part of the lessee beyond such current and specific appropriation. Obligations incurred by a county or municipality under the provisions of this chapter secured by a pledge of its full faith and credit shall be included within the limitation on bonded indebtedness established by law for counties and municipalities.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 5, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-8-11. Notice of intent to lease; protest; election; advertisement of lease agreement; award of lease.

Before entering into any lease agreement pursuant to this chapter secured by a pledge of its full faith and credit, the governing authorities of any county or municipality shall publish notice of their intention to receive suitable proposals for the leasing of such buildings, facilities or equipment. Such notice shall specify the nature of the proposed building, facility or equipment, the general geographic area in which the same is to be located, the term of the proposed lease agreement, that the obligation to pay rentals during the primary term is to be a continuing obligation of and a charge against the general credit and leasing power of the county or municipality, and the date and hour on or before which such proposals may be received. Such notice shall be published by municipalities and counties in the same manner as required for publishing notice of intention to issue general obligation bonds of the county or municipality, as appropriate. If at least twenty percent (20%), or fifteen hundred (1500), of the qualified electors of a county, whichever is less, or at least ten percent (10%), or fifteen hundred (1500), of the qualified electors of a municipality, whichever is less, file a written protest with the appropriate governing authorities, then an election shall be called by the county in the same manner as provided for the issuance of county general obligation bonds in Sections 19-9-11 through 19-9-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, or by a municipality in the same manner as provided for the issuance of municipal general obligation bonds in Sections 21-33-307 through 21-33-311, Mississippi Code of 1972, to determine whether or not the proposed lease agreement may be executed by the county or municipality. The lease agreement shall be advertised for competitive sealed proposals once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a regular newspaper published or having a general circulation in the county or municipality of the governing authority. The date as published for the proposal opening shall be not less than five (5) working days after the last published notice. The lease shall be awarded to the person submitting the lowest and best proposal; however, all proposals may be rejected.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 6, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-8-13. Full and complete authority for leases.

This chapter, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the authorization, execution and delivery of lease agreements authorized hereunder, and shall be construed as an additional and alternative method therefor, and none of the present restrictions, requirements, conditions and limitations of law applicable to the acquisition, construction and drawing of buildings or facilities in this state shall apply to lease agreements under this chapter, and no proceedings shall be required for the authorization, execution and delivery of such leases other than those required herein, and all powers necessary to be exercised in order to carry out the provisions of this chapter are hereby conferred.

HISTORY: Laws, 1990, ch. 564, § 7, eff from and after July 1, 1990.

§ 31-9-1. Definitions.

1. For purposes of this chapter, the term “office of general services” shall mean the Governor’s office of general services acting through the bureau of surplus property.
2. Wherever the term “surplus property procurement commission” appears in the laws of the State of Mississippi, it shall be construed to mean the Governor’s office of general services.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9028-01; Laws, 1946, ch. 214, § 1; Laws, 1948, ch. 359, § 1; Laws, 1952, ch. 336, §§ 1-3; Laws, 1964, ch. 492; Laws, 1980, ch. 491, § 23; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 25, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-9-3. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 38, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[Codes, 1942, § 9028-02; Laws, 1946, ch. 214, § 2]

§ 31-9-5. Powers and duties.

1. The Office of General Services with the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board shall negotiate and contract with any appropriate agency or commission of the United States government or of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise securing surplus material or property in bulk lots or quantities, and for the purpose of assisting all agencies, departments, institutions and instrumentalities of the State of Mississippi, the boards of supervisors of the various counties, and the governing authorities of the various municipalities, drainage districts and other taxing units in purchasing, leasing or otherwise securing surplus material or property. After ascertaining the needs of the various state departments and institutions, counties, municipalities, drainage districts and other taxing units, the Office of General Services may enter into contracts with the governing authorities of such governmental entities as will enable them to carry out the provisions of this section.
2. The Office of General Services also may acquire state or federal government surplus property for nonprofit and tax exempt health and educational institutions, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, military academies, volunteer fire departments, nonprofit cooperative water associations, Boys Clubs of America and Girls Clubs of America; however, deliveries to these institutions shall be made only after they have established their eligibility by meeting the requirements of the federal government, have requested the Office of General Services to act for them in acquiring government surplus property, and have agreed to comply with both the state and federal laws pertaining to acquisition and utilization of the property.
3. [Repealed]
4. The Office of General Services may do all other things which may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 9028-03, 9028-05, 9028-08; Laws, 1946, ch. 214, §§ 3, 5; Laws, 1952, ch. 337, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1956, ch. 366, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1958, ch. 470, § 1; Laws, 1960, ch. 377, § 2; Laws, 1960, ch. 398, § 2; Laws, 1962, ch. 484, § 10; Laws, 1971, ch. 450, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 26; Laws, 1992, ch. 572 § 1; Laws, 1994, ch. 392, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 577, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2004.

§ 31-9-7. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 38, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[Codes, 1942, § 9028-04; Laws, 1946, ch. 214, § 4; 1948, ch. 374, § 1; 1958, ch. 470, § 2; 1960, ch. 398, § 1; 1966, ch. 445, § 34; 1970, ch. 474, § 1]

§ 31-9-9. Laws regulating public purchases waived.

All laws or parts of laws requiring the various state institutions, departments, and agencies, the boards of supervisors of the various counties, and the governing authorities of the various municipalities, drainage districts, and other taxing units to advertise or request and receive bids for the purchase of furniture, equipment, supplies, and other commodities are hereby waived for the purposes of this chapter and shall not be applicable to purchases made hereunder.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9028-06; Laws, 1946, ch. 214, § 6.

§ 31-9-11. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 38, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[Codes, 1942, § 9028-07; Laws, 1946, ch. 14, § 7]

§ 31-9-13. Revolving fund.

In lieu of regular appropriations, the Department of Finance and Administration may assess against each institution, agency or individual acquiring surplus property from and through the Department of Finance and Administration a fee or commission on each item in sufficient amount to establish and maintain a revolving fund, to be used to operate and support the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall follow the procedure outlined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in establishing the fund, and the fund shall never exceed more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) above and beyond four (4) months of operating expenses of the Department of Finance and Administration.

With this revolving fund so acquired, the Department of Finance and Administration shall meet all items of expense incurred in acquiring, transporting, warehousing and distributing property to eligible applicants and also all items of expense incident to the operation of the offices of the Department of Finance and Administration, including salaries, office supplies and necessary general expenses, and all other items as are covered by legislative appropriation for those purposes.

The Department of Finance and Administration may escalate, budget and expend funds from the revolving fund in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in any one fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this section.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9028-08; Laws, 1952, ch. 337, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1956, ch. 366, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1958, ch. 470, § 1; Laws, 1960, ch. 377, § 2; Laws, 1960, ch. 398, § 2; Laws, 1962, ch. 484, § 10; Laws, 1971, ch. 450, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 27; Laws, 2005, ch. 475, § 1; Laws, 2006, ch. 576, § 1; Laws, 2007, ch. 306, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2007.

§ 31-9-15. Inventories.

The Office of General Services shall furnish to the State Auditor of Public Accounts copies of transfers of property to state boards, commissions and agencies on all property transferred to such agencies, federal reviews, in addition to an inventory on all furniture, equipment, machinery and vehicles used by the Office of General Services in carrying out the purposes of this chapter. The Office of General Services shall likewise keep a perpetual current inventory on all property in books and records.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9028-08; Laws, 1952, ch. 337, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1956, ch. 366, §§ 1-5; Laws, 1958, ch. 470, § 1; Laws, 1960, ch. 377, § 2; Laws, 1960, ch. 398, § 2; Laws, 1962, ch. 484, § 10; Laws, 1971, ch. 450, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 28; Laws, 1995, ch. 562, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 546, § 11, eff from and after passage (approved Apr. 15, 2009.).

§ 31-11-1. Bureau of building, grounds, and real property management; definitions.

1. For purposes of this chapter, the term “state building commission” shall mean the Governor’s office of general services acting through the bureau of building, grounds and real property management.
2. Wherever the term “state building commission” or “building commission” appears in the laws of the State of Mississippi, it shall be construed to mean the Governor’s office of general services.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-01; Laws, 1944, ch. 328, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 29, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-11-3. Powers and duties.

1. The Department of Finance and Administration, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, in addition to all other rights and powers granted by law, shall have full power and authority to employ and compensate architects or other employees necessary for the purpose of making inspections, preparing plans and specifications, supervising the erection of any buildings, and making any repairs or additions as may be determined by the Department of Finance and Administration to be necessary, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board. The department shall have entire control and supervision of, and determine what, if any, buildings, additions, repairs, demolitions or improvements are to be made under the provisions of this chapter, subject to the regulations adopted by the Public Procurement Review Board.
2. The department shall have full power to erect buildings, make repairs, additions or improvements, demolitions, to grant or acquire easements or rights-of-way, and to buy materials, supplies and equipment for any of the institutions or departments of the state subject to the regulations adopted by the Public Procurement Review Board. In addition to other powers conferred, the department shall have full power and authority as directed by the Legislature, or when funds have been appropriated for its use for these purposes, to:
   1. Build a state office building;
   2. Build suitable plants or buildings for the use and housing of any state schools or institutions, including the building of plants or buildings for new state schools or institutions, as provided for by the Legislature;
   3. Provide state aid for the construction of school buildings;
   4. Promote and develop the training of returned veterans of the United States in all sorts of educational and vocational learning to be supplied by the proper educational institution of the State of Mississippi, and in so doing allocate monies appropriated to it for these purposes to the Governor for use by him in setting up, maintaining and operating an office and employing a state director of on-the-job training for veterans and the personnel necessary in carrying out Public Law No. 346 of the United States;
   5. Build and equip a hospital and administration building at the Mississippi State Penitentiary;
   6. Build and equip additional buildings and wards at the Boswell Retardation Center;
   7. Construct a sewage disposal and treatment plant at the Mississippi State Hospital, and in so doing acquire additional land as may be necessary, and to exercise the right of eminent domain in the acquisition of this land;
   8. Build and equip the Mississippi central market and purchase or acquire by eminent domain, if necessary, any lands needed for this purpose;
   9. Build and equip suitable facilities for a training and employing center for the blind;
   10. Build and equip a gymnasium at Columbia Training School;
   11. Approve or disapprove the expenditure of any money appropriated by the Legislature when authorized by the bill making the appropriation;
   12. Expend monies appropriated to it in paying the state’s part of the cost of any street paving;
   13. Sell and convey state lands when authorized by the Legislature, cause said lands to be properly surveyed and platted, execute all deeds or other legal instruments, and do any and all other things required to effectively carry out the purpose and intent of the Legislature. Any transaction which involves state lands under the provisions of this paragraph shall be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 29-1-1;
   14. Collect and receive from educational institutions of the State of Mississippi monies required to be paid by these institutions to the state in carrying out any veterans’ educational programs;
   15. Purchase lands for building sites, or as additions to building sites, for the erection of buildings and other facilities which the department is authorized to erect, and demolish and dispose of old buildings, when necessary for the proper construction of new buildings. Any transaction which involves state lands under the provisions of this paragraph shall be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 29-1-1;
   16. Obtain business property insurance with a deductible of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) on state-owned buildings under the management and control of the department; and
   17. In consultation with and approval by the Chairmen of the Public Property Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, enter into contracts for the purpose of providing parking spaces for state employees who work in the Woolfolk Building, the Carroll Gartin Justice Building or the Walter Sillers Office Building.
3. The department shall survey state-owned and state-utilized buildings to establish an estimate of the costs of architectural alterations, pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USCS, Section 12111 et seq. The department shall establish priorities for making the identified architectural alterations and shall make known to the Legislative Budget Office and to the Legislature the required cost to effectuate such alterations. To meet the requirements of this section, the department shall use standards of accessibility that are at least as stringent as any applicable federal requirements and may consider:
   1. Federal minimum guidelines and requirements issued by the United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and standards issued by other federal agencies;
   2. The criteria contained in the American Standard Specifications for Making Buildings Accessible and Usable by the Physically Handicapped and any amendments thereto as approved by the American Standards Association, Incorporated (ANSI Standards);
   3. Design manuals;
   4. Applicable federal guidelines;
   5. Current literature in the field;
   6. Applicable safety standards; and
   7. Any applicable environmental impact statements.
4. The department shall observe the provisions of Section 31-5-23, in letting contracts and shall use Mississippi products, including paint, varnish and lacquer which contain as vehicles tung oil and either ester gum or modified resin (with rosin as the principal base of constituents), and turpentine shall be used as a solvent or thinner, where these products are available at a cost not to exceed the cost of products grown, produced, prepared, made or manufactured outside of the State of Mississippi.
5. The department shall have authority to accept grants, loans or donations from the United States government or from any other sources for the purpose of matching funds in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
6. The department shall build a wheelchair ramp at the War Memorial Building which complies with all applicable federal laws, regulations and specifications regarding wheelchair ramps.
7. The department shall review and preapprove all architectural or engineering service contracts entered into by any state agency, institution, commission, board or authority regardless of the source of funding used to defray the costs of the construction or renovation project for which services are to be obtained to ensure compliance with purchasing regulations and to confirm that the contracts are procured by a competitive qualification-based selection process except where such appointment is for an emergency project or for a continuation of a previous appointment for a directly related project. The provisions of this subsection (7) shall not apply to any architectural or engineering contract fully paid for by self-generated funds of any of the state institutions of higher learning, nor shall they apply to community college projects that are fully funded from local funds or other nonstate sources which are outside the Department of Finance and Administration’s appropriations or as directed by the Legislature. The provisions of this subsection (7) shall not apply to any construction or design projects of the State Military Department that are fully or partially funded from federal funds or other nonstate sources, nor shall they apply to any project of the State Department of Transportation.
8. 1. The department shall have the authority to obtain annually from the state institutions of higher learning, the state community colleges and junior colleges, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks information on all renovation and repair expenditures for buildings under their operation and control, including duties, responsibilities and costs of any architect or engineer hired by any such institutions, and shall annually report the same to the Legislative Budget Office, the Chairman of the House Public Property Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Public Property Committee before September 1.
   2. All state agencies, departments and institutions are required to cooperate with the Department of Finance and Administration in carrying out the provisions of this subsection.
   3. Expenditures shall not include those amounts expended for janitorial, landscaping or administrative support, but shall include expenditures from both state and nonstate sources.
   4. Expenditures shall not include amounts expended by the department on behalf of state agencies, departments and institutions through the Department of Finance and Administration administered contracts, but shall include amounts transferred to the Department of Finance and Administration for support of such contracts.
9. As an alternative to other methods of awarding contracts as prescribed by law, the department may elect to use the method of contracting for construction projects set out in Sections 31-7-13.1 and 31-7-13.2; however, the dual-phase design-build method of construction contracting authorized under Section 31-7-13.1 may be used only when the Legislature has specifically required or authorized the use of this method in the legislation authorizing a project.
10. The department shall have the authority, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and in addition to all other rights and powers granted by law, to create and maintain a list of suspended and debarred contractors and subcontractors. Consistent with this authority, the department may adopt regulations governing the suspension or debarment of contractors and subcontractors, which regulations shall be subject to the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board. A suspended or debarred contractor or subcontractor shall be disqualified from consideration for contracts with the department during the suspension or debarment period in accordance with the department’s regulations.
11. This section shall not apply to the Mississippi State Port Authority.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-02; Laws, 1944, ch. 328, §§ 2-4; Laws, 1946, ch. 386, §§ 1, 2; Laws, 1950, ch. 392, § 2; Laws, 1981, ch. 323, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 30; Laws, 1991, ch. 411, § 1; Laws, 1993, ch. 615, § 2; Laws, 1994, ch. 448, § 1; Laws, 1994 Ex Sess, ch. 26, § 24; Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 189; Laws, 2005, ch. 504, § 1; Laws, 2006, ch. 457, § 3; Laws, 2006, ch. 579, § 2; Laws, 2007, ch. 494, § 8; Laws, 2008, ch. 488, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 314, § 3; Laws, 2011, ch. 485, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 485, § 3; Laws, 2014, ch. 533, § 3; Laws, 2016, ch. 399, § 2; Laws, 2017, ch. 351, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2017.

§ 31-11-4. Facilities Management Advisory Committee.

1. There is hereby created the Facilities Management Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “committee,” for the purpose of advising the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration, with its duties of preplanning, construction, repair and renovation for buildings of all state agencies, institutions and departments.
2. The committee shall be composed of the following eight (8) members:
   1. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Public Property Committee;
   2. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the House Public Building, Grounds and Lands Committee;
   3. Two (2) Senators appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and
   4. Two (2) Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
3. The committee shall advise the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management with its duties of preplanning, construction, repair and renovation for buildings of all state agencies, institutions and departments, including but not limited to the following:
   1. Traveling with the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management to inspect and consider requests for improvement and repair of buildings of state agencies, institutions and departments;
   2. Acquiring a working knowledge of state building matters in order to become leaders in facility related legislation; and
   3. Advising and making recommendations to the Legislature on matters relating to preplanning, construction, repair and renovation for all state buildings.
4. The members of the committee shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management.
5. No committee member may receive per diem, travel or other expenses unless authorized by the Management Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of the Senate and the House of Representatives in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session.

HISTORY: Laws, 1996, ch. 533, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved April 12, 1996).

§ 31-11-5. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1983, ch. 469, § 10, eff from and after July 1, 1983; and by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 38, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[Codes, 1942, § 9023-03; Laws, 1944, ch. 328, § 5]

§ 31-11-7. Reports.

The office of general services shall submit a full report of its work and all transactions carried on by it and a complete statement of all expenditures made by it, to each regular session of the legislature or to a special session before that time if its work has been completed.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-04; Laws, 1944, ch. 328, § 6; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 31, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-11-9. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 38, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[Codes, 1942, § 9023-05; Laws, 1944, ch. 328, § 7; 1950, ch. 467; 1980, ch. 560, § 11]

§§ 31-11-11 through 31-11-23. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 32, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§§31-11-11 through31-11-19. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-11; Laws, 1946, ch. 446, §§ 1-9]

§§31-11-21 through31-11-23. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-51; Laws, 1960, ch. 383, §§ 1-4]

§ 31-11-25. Right of eminent domain.

The office of general services with the approval of the public procurement review board shall have the power and authority to acquire in its own name, or in the name of such other agency or instrumentality in the State of Mississippi as it may deem proper, by purchase, contribution or otherwise, all land and real property which shall be necessary and desirable in connection with the development or expansion of any state institution or public agency of this state upon any real property adjacent to or contiguous to such institution or agency or in connection with any project under the supervision of said office of general services for the construction, repair, remodeling, renovating, or making additions to any building structure or other facility which the office of general services is required or authorized by law to construct, repair, remodel, or make an addition to. If the office of general services shall be unable to agree with the owner or owners of any such land or real property which is necessary or desirable for the public use in connection with any such project, the office of general services shall have the power and authority to acquire any such land or real property by condemnation proceedings in the manner otherwise provided by law and, for such purpose, the right of eminent domain is hereby conferred upon and vested in said office of general services.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-52; Laws, 1960, ch. 382.5; Laws, 1962, ch. 604; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 33, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-11-27. Study of capital needs; annual reports.

1. 1. The Department of Finance and Administration shall conduct a detailed study of the building and other capital needs at each state institution and at each community college and junior college immediately prior to September first in each year. This study shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following matters:
      1. An inventory of every state building and other capital facility which is the property of the State of Mississippi;
      2. The location, date of construction or acquisition, the purpose for which used, outstanding indebtedness against such facility, if any, and cost of repairs for the preceding fiscal year;
      3. An examination of the condition of the building or other facility, including current conditions and ratings of all roofs at each state agency, state institution of higher learning, community college and junior college;
      4. An estimate of the cost of repairs required to place the facility in good condition;
      5. An estimate of the cost of major renovations, if contemplated; and
      6. A determination of the new building and other facility needs of each institution with such needs classified under immediate or long range requirements.
   2. All state agencies, departments and institutions are hereby required and directed to cooperate with the Department of Finance and Administration in carrying out the provisions of this section. For purposes of validating subsection (1)(a)(iii) above, each roof of a building not planned for demolition must be visually inspected by institution or agency facilities’ staff, by a licensed architect or engineer or by thermal imaging inspection at least every three (3) years.
   3. The Department of Finance and Administration shall submit a detailed report to the Legislative Budget Office, the House Public Property Committee and the Senate Public Property Committee on or before September first of each year. Such report shall be in such detail and in such form as may be prescribed by the Legislative Budget Office.
   4. The architect or building inspector of the Department of Finance and Administration shall make a biennial inspection of the New Capitol, Old Capitol, Woolfolk State Office Building, War Memorial Building, the Governor’s Mansion, and all other buildings under jurisdiction of the Department of Finance and Administration for structural or other physical needs or defects of such buildings, and he shall further inquire of the department or its representatives regarding the condition of the buildings. He shall make a written report of his finding to the Department of Finance and Administration, Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report shall also make recommendations for repairs and list, by number, the priority which should be given to making necessary repairs.
2. 1. In addition to any report required in subsection (1) of this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Legislative Budget Office, the House Public Property Committee and the Senate Public Property Committee describing the proposed capital improvements projects for state agencies, departments and institutions for the upcoming five-year period. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not be required to include in the report any project costing less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The department shall submit the report before September 1 of each year. The report shall include at least the following information:
      1. A prioritized list of the projects proposed for the five-year period, with each project ranked on the basis of need, consistent with the primary goal of preserving existing capital assets where possible and replacing existing capital assets where necessary;
      2. A prioritized list of the projects proposed for the next regular legislative session, with each project ranked on the basis of need, consistent with the primary goal of preserving existing capital assets where possible and replacing existing capital assets where necessary;
      3. A prioritized list of the projects requested by each state agency, department or institution;
      4. A detailed explanation of criteria used by the Department of Finance and Administration to rank projects for purposes of any list it prepares under this paragraph (a);
      5. A detailed statement of justification for each project;
      6. The approximate cost for each project, including, but not limited to, itemized estimates of costs for preplanning, constructing, furnishing and equipping a project, and costs for property acquisition;
      7. The estimated beginning date and completion date for each project;
      8. Whether a project, as proposed, is a complete project or a phase or part of a project;
      9. How a project will affect the operating budget of the applicable agency, department or institution for the upcoming five-year period, regarding such items as additional personnel requirements, utility costs, maintenance costs, security costs, etc. Any request for new construction other than replacement, or for purposes other than incidental expansion of existing facilities, shall also identify the total amount of nonstate funds to support such project;
      10. The proposed method of financing each project and the effect such financing will have on the state budget, including an estimate of any required debt service for the project, and an estimate of any federal funds or other funds that the agency, department or institution may have access to because of the project; and
      11. A list of the projects requested by each agency, department or institution for the five-year period, with each project ranked by the appropriate agency, department or institution on the basis of need.
   2. To enable the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare the report required in this subsection (2), it may require all state agencies, departments and institutions to file a capital improvements projects request with such information and in such form and in such detail as the department may deem necessary and advisable. Such request shall be filed with the Department of Finance and Administration no later than August 1 of each year.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-54; Laws, 1962, ch. 608, §§ 1-3; Laws, 1964, ch. 572, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 34; Laws, 1994, ch. 439, § 1, eff from and July 1, 1994; Laws, 2000, ch. 531, § 5, eff from and after passage (approved Apr. 30, 2000); Laws, 2018, ch. 450, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2018.

§ 31-11-29. Capital expense and development budget.

The legislative budget office shall prepare and submit to each regular session of the legislature a “capital expense and development” budget based on information furnished as herein provided by the office of general services, plus such other information as may be obtained. The said budget shall contain an estimate of the immediate and the long term capital needs of each state department, agency, institution, and each junior college. Such budget shall include a description of the buildings and other facilities which are recommended as needed at each institution, along with an estimate of the cost. The budget shall also include a suggested method of financing the immediate needs. “Immediate needs” shall be construed to mean: buildings, major improvements, and other facilities required for the proper functioning of the institution for the next year. “Long range” needs shall be construed to mean: buildings, major improvements, and other facilities of a similar nature which may be required at some indefinite date in the future.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-55; Laws, 1962, ch. 608, § 4; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 35, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-11-30. Capital improvements costing $2 million or more to be funded in two phases; each phase to be funded in separate legislative sessions; phase 1 to be preplanned capital improvements project budget projection; phase 2 to be actual repair, renovation, construction, remodeling, etc.; exemptions.

1. Every capital improvements project for new facilities, costing Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) or more, which is developed to repair, renovate, construct, remodel, add to or improve a state-owned public building shall be funded by the Legislature in two (2) phases. The two-phase funding requirement shall not apply to capital improvements projects for a state-owned port or where the Legislature finds that an emergency or critical need must be met or a court order complied with. The two (2) phases shall not be funded in the same regular session of the Legislature. Each phase shall be funded in a separate session of the Legislature. Phase 1 shall be a preplanned capital improvements project budget projection for the project and shall be funded first. Phase 2 shall be the actual repair, renovation, construction, remodeling, addition to or improvement of the state-owned public building and the acquisition of furniture and equipment for the capital improvements project and shall be funded second.
2. For the purposes of this section:
   1. “Preplanned” or “preplanning” means the preliminary planning that establishes the program, scope, design and budget for a capital improvements project.
   2. “Emergency” has the meaning as defined in Section 31-7-1.
   3. “Critical need” means necessary to meet accreditation standards or necessary to respond to failures in planning.
3. Every state agency that plans to repair, renovate, construct, remodel, add to or improve a state-owned public building shall submit a preplanned capital improvements project budget projection to the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management for evaluation. The bureau shall assess the need for all preplanned projects submitted and shall compile a report on its findings. Any capital improvements project for new facilities costing less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) shall not be required to be preplanned.
4. Upon the completion of any preplanning for a capital improvements project, if such preplanning is funded with self-generated funds by a state agency, the plan shall be submitted to the bureau for evaluation.
5. This section shall not apply to capital improvements projects authorized by the Legislature before the 2001 Regular Session of the Legislature.
6. This section shall not apply to any community or junior college project funded in whole or in part by either state bonds or funds appropriated for that construction by the Legislature.

HISTORY: Laws, 2000, ch. 531, § 6; Laws, 2007, ch. 527, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2007.

§ 31-11-31. Commission designated to act for state in matters relating to Federal Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963.

The office of general services of the State of Mississippi is hereby authorized and empowered to act as the commission designated to perform all functions on behalf of the State of Mississippi as provided for and required in Public Law No. 88-204 of the 88th Congress of the United States of America and being entitled “Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963” as thereafter amended, and the said office of general services is hereby granted such power and authority necessary for the purpose of performing for and on behalf of the State of Mississippi all things required to be done and performed by the office of general services as specified in said Public Law No. 88-204 of the 88th Congress of the United States government, as thereafter amended.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 9023-56; Laws, 1964, ch. 413; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 36, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§ 31-11-33. Construction of new public facility to comply with certain building code standards; definitions; specifications; regulation of certain building features.

1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed:
   1. “Department” means the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management.
   2. “Public facility” means any building or other facility owned by the State of Mississippi, or by any agency, department of the State of Mississippi, that is occupied, used or under the control of the State of Mississippi, or any agency or department of the State of Mississippi, or any junior college district of the State of Mississippi, or the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi, or any institution under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi.
2. Any public facility newly constructed from and after July 1, 2006, shall comply with and be built according to specifications not less stringent than those required by the International Code Council and such other standards as adopted by the department that provide guidelines for plumbing, electrical, gas, sanitary and other physical components of new building construction.
3. Upon the awarding of a design contract for a new public facility, the architect/engineer shall prepare drawings and specifications in conformity with the code requirements in effect at the time of agreement or, if the code requirements at the time of the agreement are amended, then the drawings and specifications shall be prepared according to the more stringent standards.
4. The department may regulate the height, number of stories and size of public facilities, the percentage of the lot that may be occupied, courts and other open spaces, and the location and use of public facilities.

HISTORY: Laws, 2006, ch. 579, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2006.

§ 31-11-35. Adoption of rules and regulations regarding energy performance of state-funded buildings; design and construction of major facility projects to meet or exceed certain energy requirements.

1. The Department of Finance and Administration shall adopt rules and regulations which:
   1. Optimize the energy performance of state-funded buildings throughout the state;
   2. Increase the demand for building and construction materials, finishes, furnishings and other products made in or incorporating materials produced in Mississippi;
   3. Improve environmental quality in this state by decreasing the discharge of pollutants from state-funded buildings;
   4. Conserve energy and utilize local and renewable energy sources;
   5. Protect and restore this state’s natural resources by avoiding development of inappropriate state-funded building sites;
   6. Reduce the burden on public water supply and treatment by reducing potable water consumption; and
   7. Encourage obtaining ENERGY STAR designation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to further demonstrate a building project’s energy independence.
2. Except as otherwise provided in Section 39-25-1, each major facility project shall be designed and constructed to meet or exceed the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 or any more stringent code adopted by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management and the Department of Finance and Administration.
3. In order to achieve sustainable building standards, construction projects may utilize a nationally recognized high performance environmental building rating system; provided, however, that any such rating system that uses a material or product-based credit system which is disadvantageous to materials or products manufactured or produced in Mississippi shall not be utilized. Additionally, such rating systems shall not exclude certificate credits for forest products certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council or the American Tree Farm System. The Department of Finance and Administration shall designate rating systems which meet these criteria and may establish its own rating system.
4. A nationally certified commissioning authority professional shall certify that the major facility project’s systems for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, energy conservation and water conservation are installed and working properly to ensure that each major facility project performs according to the major facility project’s overall environmental design intent and operational objectives.
5. For purposes of this section, a major facility project shall mean either:
   1. A state-funded new construction building project which is:
      1. From July 1 through December 31, 2009, the project shall be larger than twenty thousand (20,000) gross square feet;
      2. From January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, the project shall be larger than fifteen thousand (15,000) gross square feet;
      3. From January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, the project shall be larger than ten thousand (10,000) gross square feet; and
      4. From January 1, 2012, and thereafter, the project shall be larger than five thousand (5,000) gross square feet.
   2. A state-funded renovation project which involves more than fifty percent (50%) of the replacement value of the facility where compliance is cost-effective and practical.
6. A major facility project shall not mean a building, regardless of size, which does not have conditioned space as defined by Standard 90.1 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
7. For purposes of this section, a “major facility project” shall include, but not be limited to, the construction or renovation of buildings that are financed, in whole or in part, through the use of a Community Development Block Grant.

HISTORY: Laws, 2008, ch. 519, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 327, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 401, § 1; Laws, 2013, ch. 539, § 1; Laws, 2017, ch. 361, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 20, 2017).

§§ 31-11-51 through 31-11-89. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 37, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§31-11-51. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-22; Laws, 1956, ch. 280, § 2]

§31-11-53. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-23; Laws, 1956, ch. 280, § 3; Laws, 1962, ch. 507, § 1]

§§31-11-55 through31-11-87. [Codes, 1942, §§ 9023-24 to 9023-40; Laws, 1956, ch. 280, §§ 4-20]

§31-11-89. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-41; Laws, 1956, ch. 280, § 21; Laws, 1983, ch. 313, § 1]

§§ 31-11-111 through 31-11-139. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 37, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

§31-11-111. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-61; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 15, § 1; 1966, Ex Sess ch. 40, § 1]

§31-11-113. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-62; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 15, § 2; 1966, Ex Sess ch. 40, § 2; Laws, 1972, ch. 513, § 1; Laws, 1978, ch. 508, § 1]

§§31-11-115 through31-11-135. [Codes, 1942, §§ 9023-63 to 9023-72; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 15, §§ 3-12]

§31-11-137. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-73; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 15, § 13; Laws, 1983, ch. 313, § 2]

§31-11-139. [Codes, 1942, § 9023-74; Laws, 1963, 1st Ex Sess ch. 15, § 14]

§ 31-13-1. State Bond Attorney.

The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a qualified and practicing attorney at law, to be known as the State Bond Attorney, who shall possess the same qualifications for office as the Attorney General, who shall serve a term of office concurrent with that of the Governor or until his successor is appointed and qualified, and whose duties shall be those hereinafter specified.

HISTORY: Laws, 1992, ch. 302 § 1, eff from and after passage (approved March 2, 1992).

§ 31-13-3. “Bonds” defined.

The word “bond” or “bonds,” when used in this chapter, shall be deemed to include every form of written obligation that may be now or hereafter legally issued by any county, municipality, school district, road district, drainage district, levee district, sea wall district, and of any other district or subdivision whatsoever, as now existing or as may be hereafter created.

HISTORY: Codes, 1930, § 315; 1942, § 4316; Laws, 1928, ch. 32.

§ 31-13-5. Determination of validity of bond issues.

When any county, municipality, school district, road district, drainage district, levee district, sea wall district, or any other district or subdivision authorized to issue bonds shall take steps to issue bonds for any purpose whatever, the officer or officers of such county, municipality, or district charged by law with the custody of the records of same shall, if the board issuing same so determine by order entered on its minutes, transmit to said bond attorney a certified copy of all legal papers pertaining to the issuance of said bonds, including transcripts of records and ordinances, proof of publication, and tabulation of vote, if any, and any other facts pertaining to said issuance. Said bond attorney shall thereupon as expeditiously as possible examine said legal papers, pass upon the sufficiency thereof, and render an opinion in writing, addressed to the board proposing to issue said bonds, as to the validity of same; and if any further action on the part of said board is necessary or any further data is desired, he shall indicate what is necessary to be done in the premises in order to make said bonds legal, valid, and binding. When in his opinion all necessary legal steps have been taken to make the said bond issue legal, valid, and binding, he shall render a written opinion to that effect and shall transmit all legal papers, together with his opinion, to the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the district or municipality proposing to issue said bonds is situated, or if said district embraces more than one (1) county or parts of more than one county, then to the chancery clerk of any one of said counties. The chancery clerk shall file the same, enter the same on the docket of the chancery court, and shall promptly notify the chancellor of the district in writing that said papers are on file and the cause has been docketed. The chancellor shall then notify the chancery clerk to set the matter for hearing at some future date, not less than ten (10) days thereafter, and the clerk shall give not less than five (5) days’ notice by making at least one (1) publication in some paper published in the county where the case is docketed, addressed to the taxpayers of the county, municipality, or district proposing to issue said bonds, advising that the matter will be heard on the day named. If on the day set for hearing there is no written objection filed by any taxpayer to the issuance of said bonds, a decree approving the validity of same shall be entered by the chancellor; and if the chancellor be not present the clerk shall forward him the decree prepared by the state’s bond attorney for his signature, and shall enter the said decree upon his minutes in vacation.

If no written objection is filed to the validation of the bonds, certificates of indebtedness, or other written obligations which are being validated, by any taxpayer to the issuance of same, then the validation decree shall be final and forever conclusive from its date, and no appeal whatever shall lie therefrom.

If at the hearing any taxpayer of the county, municipality, or district issuing said bonds appears and files, or has filed written objection to the issuance of said bonds, then the chancellor, or the chancery clerk if the chancellor be not present, shall set the case over for another day convenient to the chancellor, not less than ten days thereafter, and shall notify the bond attorney to appear and attend the hearing. On the hearing the chancellor may hear additional competent, relevant and material evidence under the rules applicable to such evidence in the chancery court, so as to inquire into the validity of the bonds or other obligations proposed to be issued, and enter a decree in accordance with his finding.

Where written objections have been filed to the validation but not otherwise, if either party shall be dissatisfied with the decree of the chancellor, an appeal shall be granted as in other cases, provided such appeal be prosecuted and bond filed within twenty (20) days after the chancellor enters his decree. However, no appeal shall lie in any case unless written objection has been filed to the validation of the bonds or other obligations by the time set for the validation hearing. The chancery clerk shall certify the record to the supreme court as in other cases, and the supreme court shall hear the case as a preference case.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 3812b; 1930, § 313; 1942, § 4314; Laws, 1917, ch. 28; Laws, 1922, ch. 252; Laws, 1928, ch. 32.

§ 31-13-7. Final decree validating bonds to be forever conclusive.

If the chancellor shall enter a decree confirming and validating said bonds and there shall be no appeal by either party from said decree, or if on appeal the supreme court enters its decree confirming and validating said bonds or other written obligations, the validity of said bonds or other written obligations so issued shall be forever conclusive against the county, municipality, or district issuing same; and the validity of said bonds or other written obligations shall never be called in question in any court in this state.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 3812c; 1930, § 314; 1942, § 4315; Laws, 1917, ch. 28; Laws, 1928, ch. 32.

§ 31-13-9. Validated bonds to be so stamped; use of facsimile.

Whenever any bonds are validated under the provisions of this chapter, the clerk or other proper officer of the county, municipality, or district issuing same shall stamp or write on each of said bonds over his signature and the seal of the issuer the words “validated and confirmed by decree of the chancery (or supreme) court,” together with the date of the rendition of the final decree validating same, which entry shall be taken as evidence of the validation of said bonds in any court in this state. If the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds shall so provide, such signature and seal under this section may be a facsimile.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 3812d; 1930, § 316; 1942, § 4317; Laws, 1917, ch. 28; Laws, 1928, ch. 32; Laws, 1978, ch. 327, § 1; Laws, 1985, ch. 427, eff from and after July 1, 1985.

§ 31-13-11. Court costs and bond attorney’s fee and expenses.

The court costs in all such cases shall be paid by the county, municipality, or district proposing to issue said bonds or other written obligations, and in addition to such costs it shall also pay to the bond attorney a fee of not more than one-tenth of one percent (1/10 of 1%), provided said fee shall not be less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), of the amount of the bonds or other obligations issued or proposed to be issued. The payment of this fee shall be full compensation for all legal services rendered in connection with the issuance of said bonds, except that when the state’s bond attorney attends a hearing of objection to the validation of said bonds, his actual and necessary expenses and a reasonable rate of compensation for attending the said hearing as required by this chapter shall be taxed as a part of the costs of the validation proceedings, upon approval by the clerk or chancellor of an itemized account of such expenses and time expended. If objection is filed to the validation of said bonds, then in that event the taxation of court costs, including expenses and a reasonable rate of compensation for the bond attorney, shall be discretionary with the chancellor, as in other cases in the chancery court, against the issuing board or district, or the objector or objectors, or apportioned as the chancellor may deem proper.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 3812e; 1930, § 317; 1942, § 4318; Laws, 1917, ch. 28; Laws, 1928, ch. 32; Laws, 1968, ch. 370, § 1; Laws, 1979, ch. 371; Laws, 1983, ch. 373, eff from and after passage (approved March 21, 1983).

§ 31-15-1. Short title.

Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19 may be cited as the “General Refunding Law of 1934.”

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4358; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-3. Definitions.

Whenever used in Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19, the words “political subdivision” shall be deemed as including any county, city, town, or village, whether operating under the code chapter, a special charter, or the commission form of government; and any supervisors district, road district, municipal separate school district, rural separate school district, consolidated school district, line separate school district, or school district of any other form.

The words “governing authority”, wherever used in the aforesaid sections, shall be understood as referring to the following: for counties, supervisors districts, road districts, school districts (other than municipal separate school districts), the board of supervisors of the county; for cities, towns, or villages operating under the code, the board of mayor and aldermen thereof; for cities, towns, or villages operating under special charters, the legislative body thereof created by such charters; for cities, towns, or villages operating under the commission form of government, the council or commission thereof; for municipal separate school districts, the governing authority of the city, town, or village within such district.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4359; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-5. Election not required.

1. The governing authority of any political subdivision may, without an election on the question of the issuance thereof, issue the bonds of such subdivision for the purpose of refunding any bonded indebtedness of such subdivision now or hereafter outstanding, whether such bonded indebtedness shall at the time of such refunding be due or to mature in the future, and regardless of whether the issuance of such refunding bonds shall create a total bonded indebtedness of such subdivision in excess of the then existing statutory limitation of debt.
2. The board of supervisors of any county may issue the bonds of any county, consolidated school district, rural separate school district or separate road district, for the purpose of refunding the outstanding bonded indebtedness of any such county or district when the same shall mature, whether now due or to become due in the future without notice and without an election on the question of the issuance of same, regardless of whether or not the issuance of such bonds shall create a total bonded indebtedness in excess of the then existing statutory limitation of debt.
3. Such bonds may be issued in sufficient amount to pay and retire any of the then outstanding bonds, whether matured or to mature in the future, together with interest thereon to the date of the refunding bonds or to such prior date as the governing authority may determine; and such power to refund such bonds and interest may be exercised whenever funds available from taxes are not sufficient to pay such outstanding bonds and the interest thereon whenever they may mature.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662j; 1930, § 5986; 1942, §§ 4346, 4360; Laws, 1920, ch. 207; Laws, 1932, ch. 167; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-7. Interest and form.

Such refunding bonds shall bear such rate or rates of interest as may be determined by the governing body, not exceeding, however, six percent (6%) per annum payable semi-annually; shall be in such denomination or denominations and form as may be determined by resolution or order of the governing authority; and shall be executed in behalf of the subdivision by such officer or officers thereof as may be determined in such resolution or order. The interest to accrue on such refunding bonds shall be represented by coupons to be attached thereto, which may be executed by the facsimile signature of such officer or officers. All such bonds shall be made to mature serially, beginning not more than five (5) years and running not longer than thirty (30) years after their date, with not less than one percent (1%) of the total issue to mature each year during the first six (6) years, beginning in the fifth year, after the date of such bonds; not less than three percent (3%) of the said total issue to mature annually during the next succeeding ten-year (10-year) period of the life of such bonds; and not less than five percent (5%) of said total issue to mature annually during the next succeeding ten-year (10-year) period of the life of the bonds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4361; Laws, 1934, ch. 143; Laws, 1936, ch. 279; Laws, 1938, Ex. ch. 74.

§ 31-15-9. Sale and redemption; acceptance of bonds.

The resolution or order providing for the issuance of such bonds may reserve unto the governing authority the right to call in, pay, and redeem such bonds in the inverse order of their numbers and maturities, prior to the maturity date or dates thereof on any interest payment date. Whenever it is desired to exercise the aforesaid right, if reserved in such resolution or order, the governing authority shall cause written notice thereof to be delivered to the bank or office at which such bonds are payable. Such notice shall be so delivered not less than thirty days prior to the interest payment date designated for the redemption of such bonds, after which date so designated, no further interest shall accrue on the bonds so called for redemption. Such refunding bonds may be sold for not less than par and accrued interest, or may be exchanged at par for bonds and interest coupons to be refunded thereby.

The board of supervisors may accept county bonds, consolidated school district bonds, rural separate school district bonds or separate road district bonds, as the case may be, at not more than par and interest accruing thereon at the rate fixed in the bonds to be refunded in exchange for said refunding county bonds, consolidated school district bonds, rural separate school district bonds or separate road district bonds, as the case may be. In accepting any bond in exchange for, or in payment of, any such refunding bond, no bond shall be accepted in such exchange or payment that is secured by the property of a smaller or different district, or other subdivision, than that securing the refunding bonds so issued.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662j; 1930, § 5986; 1942, §§ 4346, 4361; Laws, 1920, ch. 207; Laws, 1932, ch. 167; Laws, 1934, ch. 143; Laws, 1936, ch. 279; Laws, 1938, Ex. ch. 74.

§ 31-15-11. General obligations.

All refunding bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19 shall be general obligations of the political subdivisions issuing same, and the governing authority of such subdivision shall annually levy a tax upon all taxable property therein sufficient to pay the principal of and the interest on such bonds as the same matures and accrues. The full faith, credit, and resources of such subdivision shall be and are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of such bonds, both as to principal and interest.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4362; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-13. Time limit.

The governing authority may, at any time or times, exercise the powers granted by Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19 in the refunding of any or all of the bonds and interest coupons of any one (1) or more of the issues of bonds then outstanding. No refunding bonds shall be issued at any time after three (3) years from the date of the resolution or order providing therefor.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4363; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-15. Invalid bonds.

In the event that any of the refunding bonds authorized to be issued under Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19 should be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the holder or holders thereof shall be subrogated to all of the rights, remedies, and privileges had and possessed by the holder or holders of the bonds or interest coupons refunded thereby.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4364; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-17. Additional method.

Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed full and complete authority for the issuance of refunding bonds by political subdivisions of the state, and shall be construed as an additional and alternative method therefor. None of the present restrictions, requirements, conditions, or limitations of law applicable to the issuance of bonds by political subdivisions of this state shall apply to the issuance and sale or exchange of bonds under the aforesaid sections, and no proceedings shall be required for the issuance of such bonds other than those provided for and required herein. All powers necessary to be exercised by the governing authority of any such political subdivision in order to carry out the provisions of said sections are hereby conferred.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4365; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-19. Validation.

Any bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 31-15-1 through 31-15-19 may be validated under Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4366; Laws, 1934, ch. 143.

§ 31-15-21. Refund of bonds not based on ad valorem tax.

Any bonds heretofore or hereafter issued under authority of Sections 21-27-11, 21-27-23, 21-27-41 through 21-27-43, or revenue bonds payable from funds other than the proceeds of ad valorem taxes heretofore or hereafter issued under authority of any other law of the State of Mississippi may be refunded upon surrender, whether such bonds are due, optional, or not yet matured. Such refunding bonds shall be negotiable, shall be authorized by resolution adopted by the board or governing body which shall have authorized the bonds that are being refunded, and may either be delivered in exchange for the bonds to be refunded or sold at not less than par and the proceeds applied to the retirement of such bonds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4367; Laws, 1940, ch. 281.

§ 31-15-23. Interest and form.

Such refunding bonds may bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding that allowed in Section 75-17-103, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty (30) years from their date, may be subject to redemption at such times and at such premiums, and shall be in such form and in all other respects be of such details and issued under such conditions as may be determined in the resolution authorizing the bonds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4368; Laws, 1940, ch. 281; Laws, 1987, ch. 407, eff from and after passage (approved March 20, 1987).

§ 31-15-25. Security.

Such refunding bonds shall be payable from the same sources of revenue and so far as possible shall be secured in the same manner and by the same covenants and agreements as were the bonds refunded. All provisions of the law under which the bonds refunded were issued, which provide for the security of such bonds and the requirements for fixing rates sufficient to operate the project acquired or improved and to pay principal of and interest on the bonds, shall remain in effect and shall be fully applicable to the refunding bonds issued hereunder. In no event shall taxes be levied for the payment of such bonds, and they shall recite on their face that they are payable only from revenues.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4369; Laws, 1940, ch. 281.

§ 31-15-27. Validation.

Refunding bonds issued under Sections 31-15-21 through 31-15-27 may be validated in the chancery court pursuant to the provisions of Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11, and shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal, and other taxation under the laws of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4370; Laws, 1940, ch. 281.

§ 31-17-1. Composition of State Bond Commission.

The State Bond Commission shall be composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the State Treasurer.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4380; Laws, 1936, ch. 196.

§ 31-17-3. General powers of State Bond Commission.

The State Bond Commission, with the approval and consent of the State Auditor of Public Accounts and the chairman of the State Tax Commission, is hereby authorized to purchase outstanding bonds of the State of Mississippi, retire such bonds, and pay the purchase price thereof out of any surplus remaining in the state treasury at the end of any fiscal year, all in accord with the provisions of Sections 31-17-21 through 31-17-25. The State Bond Commission, with the consent and approval of the state auditor of public accounts and the chairman of the State Tax Commission, shall determine the amount of bonds to be purchased, the maximum price to be paid therefor not to exceed par and accrued interest, and the date upon which it will receive proposals to purchase such bonds, all in accord with the provisions of Sections 31-17-21 through 31-17-25.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4380; Laws, 1936, ch. 196.

§ 31-17-5. Requests for proposals for bond counsel and certain information about bond counsel once selected to be posted on Department of Finance and Administration and State Treasurer websites.

1. When a request for proposals for bond counsel for a general obligation or revenue bond issue is issued on behalf of the State Bond Commission, the request for proposal shall be posted on the website of the Department of Finance and Administration and the State Treasurer.
2. Once bond counsel is selected for a bond issue, the name and address of the counsel selected shall be posted on the website of the Department of Finance and Administration and the State Treasurer. The amount of any payments made to bond counsel for his or her services as bond counsel shall be posted on the website of the Department of Finance and Administration and the State Treasurer.

HISTORY: Laws, 2013, ch. 569, § 42, eff from and after passage (approved April 25, 2013).

§ 31-17-11. Composition of state bond retirement commission.

There is hereby created the state bond retirement commission which shall be composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the State Treasurer. The Governor shall be the chairman of the commission, and the Attorney General shall be the secretary thereof.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-13. General duties of state bond retirement commission.

It shall be the duty of the state bond retirement commission to administer the state bond retirement revolving fund provided for in Section 31-17-27, and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed in Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-21. State bonds; notice of intention to purchase.

In the event it is determined to purchase outstanding bonds of the state as provided in Section 31-17-3, then sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for the sale of said bonds, the state bond commission shall advertise its intention to purchase the bonds of the state for at least two (2) consecutive weeks in two (2) newspapers, one (1) of which shall be published in Jackson, Mississippi, and the other a financial journal having general circulation among bond buyers and dealers. Said advertisement shall state the amount of bonds to be purchased, the maximum price to be paid therefor, and the date upon which it will receive sealed proposals for outstanding bonds of the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4381; Laws, 1936, ch. 196.

§ 31-17-23. State bonds; best bid accepted.

The State Bond Commission shall accept the bid or bids determined by it to be most favorable to the state. The interest rate and maturity of the bonds to be purchased shall be taken into consideration in determining the best bid.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4382; Laws, 1936, ch. 196.

§ 31-17-25. State bonds; purchase of bonds sold below par.

Where the bonds of the state were sold for less than par and accrued interest, then the State Bond Commission shall not pay a greater price than the price for which the bonds were sold.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4383; Laws, 1936, ch. 196.

§ 31-17-27. State bonds; state bond retirement revolving fund.

There is hereby created a fund in the State Treasury only to the extent herein provided, to be known as the “state bond retirement revolving fund,” to be kept separate and distinct from all other funds of the state. Said state bond retirement revolving fund shall consist of such sums as may be appropriated thereto in accordance with law, all sums received from the sale of any bonds as hereinafter provided, all funds received from the payment of either principal or interest on such bonds, and all sums transferred to it or otherwise received and covered into said fund under the provisions of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43. It shall be the duty of the state bond retirement commission, and it is hereby authorized and empowered, to make all needful rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of said sections and which in the discretion of the commission may be necessary or advisable in the administration of the provisions of said sections. The state bond retirement revolving fund hereby created shall be a special trust fund irrevocably pledged to the ultimate retirement of all outstanding full faith and credit bonds of the State of Mississippi as hereinafter provided.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-29. State bonds; funds in state bond retirement revolving fund may be invested in federal securities.

Until such funds are needed for the payment of outstanding full faith and credit bonds of the state as herein provided, the state bond retirement commission is hereby authorized to invest any funds held in the state bond retirement revolving fund in bonds, notes, certificates, and other interest bearing obligations which are a direct obligation of the United States of America, hereinafter referred to as federal securities.

Any federal securities so purchased shall be the property of the State of Mississippi, and the principal and any and all interest accruing on such federal securities shall be collected by the commission as an agency of the state and covered into the state bond retirement revolving fund as the same shall mature and accrue. The commission is hereby authorized to sell any federal securities belonging to the state bond retirement revolving fund whenever, in the judgment of the commission, such sale will be to the best interest of the state. Sales shall be made at the best price obtainable, and all funds realized therefrom shall be covered into the state bond retirement revolving fund.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-31. State bonds; deposit of federal securities.

All sums paid into the state bond retirement revolving fund shall be kept by the State Treasurer as are other public funds. All federal securities purchased under the provisions of Section 31-17-29 shall be deposited with the State Treasurer and shall be kept by him as are other bonds owned by the state, but he may deposit same under proper trust receipts with one or more state depositories or with any federal reserve bank of the United States.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 8; Laws, 1944, ch. 141, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 24, 1944).

§ 31-17-33. State bonds; method of retirement by state bond retirement commission.

The purpose of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43 is to create a fund for the ultimate retirement of the full faith and credit bonds of the State of Mississippi issued and outstanding as of July 1, 1944, and to set aside, earmark, and irrevocably pledge from the cash now in or to be added to the general fund of the state treasury a sum sufficient to pay all outstanding full faith and credit bonds of the State of Mississippi. To that end, therefore, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to each maturity date of full faith and credit bonds authorized to be retired from funds in the state bond retirement revolving fund under the provisions of said sections, an amount sufficient to pay the principal thereof at such maturity date shall be made available by the state bond retirement commission and shall be withdrawn from the state bond retirement revolving fund upon the order of the commission for the payment thereof, as provided by law. This process shall continue and like withdrawals shall be made at each succeeding maturity date of full faith and credit bonds authorized to be retired from funds in the state bond retirement revolving fund until the said state bond retirement revolving fund shall be exhausted or until all full faith and credit bonds of the state outstanding at July 1, 1944, shall be fully paid and satisfied. When all such bonds are paid, any balance remaining in said state bond retirement revolving fund shall be transferred to the general fund of the state.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 4, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-35. State bonds; maturity dates to be noted.

To effectuate the purpose of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43, the state bond retirement commission is hereby required to take cognizance of the maturity date of the full faith and credit bonds of the state issued and outstanding as of July 1, 1944, and shall invest the funds constituting the state bond retirement revolving fund in United States government securities having maturity dates that bear a reasonable relation to the maturity dates of the full faith and credit bonds of the state to be retired from funds constituting the said state bond retirement revolving fund.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 5, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-37. State bonds; procedure when funds of state bond retirement revolving fund are inadequate to meet payments.

Should the maturity dates of federal securities held by the state bond retirement commission fail to coincide with the maturity dates of the full faith and credit bonds of the state to the extent that the funds belonging to the state bond retirement revolving fund shall be inadequate to pay the principal of full faith and credit bonds on any maturity date as required by the terms of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43, then in such event the commission is hereby authorized and directed to either sell a sufficient amount of its securities to realize the amount necessary to pay the principal of such maturing bonds or borrow from other sources an amount necessary to provide the funds with which to make such payment, at the lowest and best rate of interest obtainable, after having publicly advertised for bids. The commission shall not pay a higher rate of interest than two percent (2%) for such loans. Such loans shall be evidenced by notes signed in the name of the State of Mississippi by the commission. No such loan shall be made unless there are federal securities held by the commission maturing not later than two (2) years next after the date of the note evidencing the loan, which said federal securities so held, together with the interest thereon, shall be sufficient in amount to retire the said loan and the interest thereon. In no event shall any federal securities held by the commission under the terms of said sections be pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise given as security for any such loan. The chairman of the commission shall accompany each note evidencing funds borrowed with his certificate showing in detail the federal securities held by the commission, the proceeds of which are to be used for the retirement of the said loan. When such certificate shall show that as of the date of any such loan, there was then held by the commission federal securities the par value of which, together with the interest thereon, shall equal or exceed the full amount of the loan covered thereby, such loan shall be in all respects a valid, binding obligation of the State of Mississippi, and shall be promptly paid according to its tenor by the commission.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 6, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-39. State bonds; expenditures from and transfer of state bond retirement revolving fund.

All sums paid into and actually in the state bond retirement revolving fund, including the original legislative appropriation, the proceeds from federal securities sold under the provisions of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43, and sums received from the payment of either principal or interest on federal securities purchased hereunder, shall be continuously available to the state bond retirement commission for expenditure or transfer in accordance with the provisions and to carry out the purpose of said sections without the necessity of further appropriation by the Legislature. All such sums shall be considered in the State Treasury only for the purpose and to the extent necessary to make them public funds and subject to the same protection as other public funds. These funds shall be paid out or transferred as provided herein on warrants issued according to law, pursuant to requisitions signed by the chairman and secretary of the commission, on authority of the commission.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 7, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-41. State bonds; records and reports of state bond retirement commission.

The state bond retirement commission shall keep full and accurate minutes of its proceedings. Full and complete records of all transactions made under the authority of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43 and of all sums received into and disbursed from said state bond retirement revolving fund shall be kept by the secretary; and an annual report thereof shall be made by the commission, which shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State and be subject to public inspection. A full report of such transactions and of all such receipts and disbursements shall be made to each regular session of the legislature.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 9, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-43. State bonds; expenses of state bond retirement commission.

The state bond retirement commission shall pay the necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of Sections 31-17-27 through 31-17-43 out of any appropriation made for that purpose by the Legislature.

HISTORY: Laws, 1944, ch. 140, § 10, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 4, 1944).

§ 31-17-45. Local bonds; repurchase authorized.

The board of supervisors of any county in this state, the mayor and board of aldermen of any municipality in this state, or the governing body of any other taxing district in the state may, in its discretion, purchase outstanding bonds of said county, municipality, or other taxing district and retire such bonds and pay the purchase price thereof out of any surplus remaining in the treasury of such county, municipality, or other taxing district at the end of any fiscal year. The governing body of said taxing districts shall determine the amount of bonds to be purchased, the maximum price to be paid therefor, but in no event to exceed par and accrued interest thereon, and the date upon which it will receive proposals to purchase said bonds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4371; Laws, 1934, ch. 334.

§ 31-17-47. Local bonds; notice of intention to purchase.

In the event a surplus is remaining in the treasury of any county, municipality or other taxing district at the end of any fiscal year as provided by Section 31-17-45, then within ten (10) days thereafter the said board of supervisors, mayor and board of aldermen, or the governing body of other taxing districts may advertise its intention to purchase the bonds of such county, municipality, or other taxing district by publishing a notice thereof at least ten (10) days in some newspaper published in said county and one (1) other financial journal having a general circulation among bond buyers and dealers. Said advertisement shall state the amount of bonds to be purchased, the maximum price to be paid therefor, and the date upon which it will receive sealed proposals for outstanding bonds of said taxing district.

Said board of supervisors, mayor and board of aldermen, or the governing body of other taxing districts shall accept the bid or proposal determined and adjudged by it to be most favorable to such taxing district. The interest rate and maturity of the bonds to be purchased shall be taken into consideration in determining the best bid.

However, it shall be optional with the board of supervisors, mayor and board of aldermen, or the governing body of other taxing districts as to whether or not it will advertise its intention to purchase its bonds as provided by this section. In the event the board of supervisors, mayor and board of aldermen, or the governing body of other taxing districts shall determine that it is most advantageous to the county, city, or other taxing district not to so advertise, it may buy and retire its bonds at a private sale without publication of its intention to do so.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, §§ 4372, 4373; Laws, 1934, ch. 334.

§ 31-17-49. Local bonds; purchase of bonds sold below par.

Where the bonds so purchased of said county, municipality, or other taxing districts were sold for less than par and accrued interest, then the said board of supervisors, mayor and board of aldermen, or other governing authority of such taxing district, as the case may be, shall not pay a greater price than the price for which the bonds were sold.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4374; Laws, 1934, ch. 334.

§ 31-17-51. Local bonds; restrictions on purchases.

Surplus funds shall be expended under the provisions of Sections 31-17-45 through 31-17-51 for the purpose only of retiring the bonds issued in the particular taxing district for which said funds were collected. In no event shall bonds issued for any other taxing district be purchased with funds collected for any district other than those collected from the same identical taxing district.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4375; Laws, 1934, ch. 334.

§ 31-17-53. Local bonds; pledge of securities, properties, and taxes.

The counties, municipalities, and other local authorities possessing power to refund bonds under any statute of Mississippi may, for retiring and paying such refunding bonds and interest, pledge and make applicable to and available therefor any and all securities, properties, and taxes that were pledged, applicable to, or available for the paying of the original issue and interest thereon, so refunded, but only to the same extent, amount, and purposes.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4376; Laws, 1934, ch. 333.

§ 31-17-55. Local bonds; cancellation.

Whenever the board of supervisors of any county or the board of mayor and aldermen or the proper authorities of any municipalities and/or of any taxing district or other subdivision of any county may have acquired title to any of the bonds of such county, district, or municipality by purchase with, or at the expense of, the sinking funds of the particular sinking fund collected for the purpose of paying the principal of and interest on bonds of the issue so acquired, and sufficient funds shall accumulate in such sinking fund above the amount invested in such bonds, when added to other funds to be paid into said sinking funds within the succeeding twelve (12) months, to provide for and pay the principal of and interest on the bonds of such issue maturing and falling due within the succeeding twelve (12) months, the board of supervisors of such county and of the county embracing such district, and/or board of mayor and aldermen or proper authorities of such municipality or district or subdivision may cancel such bonds so acquired, by order entered upon its minutes and its clerk making entry of cancellation of such bonds upon the proper bond register and stamping or perforating same to show cancellation thereof after cancellation of such bonds, no further taxes shall be levied or collected for the payment of the principal of or interest on the bonds so canceled.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4377; Laws, 1936, ch. 275.

§ 31-17-57. State and local bonds; paying agent to repay unused funds.

When funds are forwarded to the paying agent of the state, any county or taxing district thereof, or any municipality for the purpose of paying bonds and interest coupons as provided by law, and all bonds and interest coupons to be paid out of such funds are not presented for payment to such paying agent within one (1) year after the due date of such bonds and interest coupons, such bonds and interest coupons shall be payable at the state treasury, the county depository, or the municipal depository, as the case may be.

The paying agent shall submit as of June 30 and December 31 of each year, and within thirty (30) days of that date, a statement of the amount paid on bonds and interest coupons of each bond issue during the previous twelve (12) months and the balance remaining in its hands for such payment at the conclusion of one (1) year on the date submitted, and at least one (1) year from the date the bonds or coupons were due. With the statement submitted, the paying agent shall remit and refund, without demand or request, such balance in its hands. Any money so recovered shall be deposited to the credit of the fund from which it was drawn, and if said fund no longer exists, then said money shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the state, county, district or municipality, as the case may be.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4378; Laws, 1938, ch. 134; Laws, 1982, ch. 376, § 4, eff from and after July 1, 1982.

§ 31-17-59. State and local bonds; demand for repayment.

It shall be the duty of the auditor and the state treasurer, within sixty (60) days after the close of each fiscal year, to check the records in their offices and ascertain definitely the amount of bonds and interest coupons which have matured more than twelve (12) months before the close of the last fiscal year and which have not been paid; and if it shall appear that funds for the payment of such bonds and coupons have been forwarded to the paying agent and have not been used for the purpose of paying such bonds and coupons, it shall be the duty of the state treasurer to make demand upon the paying agent for the repayment of said funds into the state treasury within thirty (30) days from the date of such demand.

In like manner, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors of each county and of the municipal clerk of each municipality, within sixty (60) days after the close of each fiscal year, to check the bond register and other records in his office and ascertain definitely the amount of bonds and interest coupons of the county, any taxing district, or of the municipality, as the case may be, which have matured more than twelve (12) months before the close of the last fiscal year and which have not been paid; and if it shall appear that funds for the payment of such bonds and coupons have been forwarded to the paying agent and have not been used for the purpose of paying such bonds and coupons, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors, or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, to make demand upon the paying agent for the repayment of said funds into the county depository or municipal depository, as the case may be, within thirty (30) days from the date of such demand.

In the event such paying agent shall fail to refund into the state treasury, the county depository, or municipal depository, as the case may be, such unexpended balance or balances as provided for in sections 31-17-57 and 31-17-59, it shall be the duty of the attorney general on behalf of the state, or the board of supervisors or municipal authorities on behalf of the county or municipality, as the case may be, to cause suit to be instituted for the recovery of such funds.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4379; Laws, 1938, ch. 134.

§ 31-17-61. State bonds; destruction of paid and cancelled bonds and coupons.

The State of Mississippi, acting by resolution of the State Bond Commission or any political subdivision thereof acting by resolution of its governing body, may authorize and direct the paying agent or agents for each issue of its bonds and coupons to destroy all bonds and coupons duly paid and cancelled, and may accept in lieu thereof their certificate containing a description of such bonds and coupons so destroyed as proof of such destruction. Such bonds and coupons duly paid and cancelled may be destroyed not earlier than one (1) year after the date upon which such bonds and coupons are surrendered for payment, and only after the resolution of the State Bond Commission or the political subdivision’s governing body authorizing the destruction thereof has been delivered to the paying agent or agents of the respective bond issues.

HISTORY: Laws, 1982, ch. 376, § 3 (2nd ¶); Laws, 1985, ch. 429, eff from and after July 1, 1985.

§ 31-17-71. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1985, ch. 469, § 5, eff from and after April 4, 1985.

[En Laws, 1978, ch. 478, § 4]

§ 31-17-73. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 339, eff from and after July 1, 1984.

[En Laws, 1978, ch. 478, § 5]

§ 31-17-75. Legislative intent regarding highway funding.

The intent of the Legislature is for the structuring of maturity schedules and escrow accounts which will allow the greatest amount of revenues to be used for current construction of highways, while retaining a sound program of retiring the refunding bonds in an economically feasible manner. It is the further intent that all funds available under any of the provisions of Chapter 478, Laws of 1978, shall be invested at all times when not needed to pay the expenses authorized under the provisions of Chapter 478, Laws of 1978, and to pay the principal of and the interest on any bonds payable under the provisions of Chapter 478, Laws of 1978, as they become due.

HISTORY: Laws, 1978, ch. 476, § 6, eff from and after passage (approved April 6, 1978).

§ 31-17-77. Restrictions on payment of implementation costs.

None of the costs involved in the implementation of the provisions of Chapter 478, Laws of 1978, shall be paid to any member or employee of the executive or legislative department of the State of Mississippi, either directly or indirectly, or to any firm, association, or corporation in which any member or employee of the executive or legislative department has a pecuniary interest; provided, however, commissions paid to banks and licensed securities dealers in the usual and ordinary course of business shall not be considered cost for the purposes of this section; provided, further, any such state employee or official may be reimbursed for his actual expenses. Any person, firm, association or corporation making or receiving such payments in violation of the provisions of this section shall be liable to the State of Mississippi for triple the amount of such payments.

The provisions of this section shall also apply to any person who was a member or employee of the executive or legislative department of the State of Mississippi at the time of the passage of this section.

HISTORY: Laws, 1978, ch. 478, § 7, eff from and after passage (approved April 6, 1978).

§ 31-17-101. State Bond Commission; members; delegation of powers and duties; adoption of rules.

There is hereby created a commission to be known as as the “State Bond Commission” (hereinafter referred to as the “commission”), which shall consist of the Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer of the State of Mississippi. The Governor shall act as chairman of the commission, the Attorney General shall act as secretary of the commission, and the State Treasurer shall be treasurer of the commission. The successive incumbents in the offices of Governor, Attorney General and State Treasurer shall succeed their predecessors as members of the commission upon assumption of their duties and the completion of their oaths of office. The powers of the commission shall be vested in and exercised by a majority of the members of the commission. The commission may delegate to one or more of its members, or to its officers, agents and employees, such powers and duties as it may deem proper, and may adopt rules for the conduct of its business.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 1; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-103. Issuance of notes authorized; terms and conditions.

1. For the purposes of offsetting any temporary cash flow deficiencies in the General Fund and to maintain a working balance in the General Fund, the commission is authorized at any time and from time to time to borrow money in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed seven and one-half percent (7-1/2%) of the total appropriation made by the State Legislature from the General Fund for the fiscal year in which such deficiency or deficiencies occur, issuing therefor notes as authorized hereunder. Notes may be issued from time to time as the proceeds thereof are needed. The notes shall be authorized by the commission and shall have such terms and details as may be provided by resolution of the commission; provided, however, each resolution of the commission authorizing notes shall:
   1. Describe the need for the proceeds of the notes to be issued; and
   2. Specify the principal amount of the notes or maximum principal amount of the notes which may be outstanding at any one (1) time, the rate or rates of interest or maximum rate of interest or interest rate formula (to be determined in the manner specified in the resolution authorizing the notes) to be incurred through the issuance of such notes, and the maturity date or maximum maturity date of the notes, which maturity date or maximum maturity date shall not extend beyond the last day of the third month following the end of the fiscal year in which the notes were issued.
2. The commission may also provide in any authorizing resolution for the form of the notes (either fully registered form, bearer form or registered as to principal only form), denominations, place or places of payment (either within or without the State of Mississippi), registration provisions, exchange privileges and manner of execution (including the use of facsimile signatures and a facsimile of the seal of the State of Mississippi). Subject to the limitations contained in this section and the standards and limitations prescribed in the authorizing resolution, the commission, in its discretion, may provide for the notes to be issued and sold, in whole or in part, from time to time, and may delegate to the State Treasurer the power to determine the time or times of sale, the amounts, the maturities, the rate or rates of interest, and such other terms and details of the notes, as may be deemed appropriate by the commission, or the State Treasurer in the event of such delegation. The commission may also provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of notes, in its discretion, but subject to the limitations contained in this section, (a) for the employment of one or more persons or firms to assist the commission in the sale of the notes, (b) for the appointment of one or more banks or trust companies, either within or without the State of Mississippi, as depository for safekeeping, and as agent for the delivery and payment, of the notes, (c) for the refunding of the notes, from time to time, without further action by the commission, unless and until the commission revokes such authority to refund, provided that in no event shall any refunding note be issued with a maturity date later than the last day of the third month following the end of the fiscal year in which the notes to be refunded were issued, (d) for the rating of the notes by one or more nationally recognized rating agencies, and (e) for such other terms and conditions as the commission may deem appropriate. In connection with the issuance and sale of notes as provided in this section, the commission may arrange for lines of credit with any bank, firm or person for the purpose of providing an additional source of repayment for notes issued pursuant to this section. Amounts drawn on such lines of credit may be evidenced by negotiable or nonnegotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness, containing such terms and conditions as the commission may authorize in the resolution approving the same. The commission is authorized to pay all cost of issuance of the notes, including, without limitation, rating agency fees, printing costs, legal fees, bank or trust company fees, cost to employ persons or firms to assist in the sale of the notes, line of credit fees and charges and all other amounts related to the costs of issuing the notes from amounts available therefor in the General Fund or from the proceeds of the notes, in the discretion of the commission.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 2; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1; Laws, 1982, ch. 334, § 1; Laws, 1992, ch. 484 § 15, eff from and after passage (approved May 7, 1992).

§ 31-17-105. Purposes and procedures; maintenance of working balance in State General Fund; interfund loans.

1. The said notes shall be issued for the purpose of maintaining a sufficient working balance in the State General Fund. In effectuating the purposes of Section 31-17-101 et seq., the following procedures shall be followed:
   1. Immediately following the close of business on the last day of every calendar month, the State Fiscal Officer shall submit to each member of the State Bond Commission a certified statement relative to the actual unexpended cash balance remaining to the credit of the State General Fund, and state whether or not, in his opinion, said balance was sufficient, when combined with normal receipts for the ensuing month, to provide enough cash to pay obligations during the month at the time they are due, and if it is not sufficient, stating the amount which will be needed. The State Fiscal Officer shall also submit to the State Bond Commission, if he deems the General Fund cash balance insufficient, a statement showing cash balances in all special funds in the State Treasury which appear to have cash in excess of their immediate needs. The State Bond Commission shall immediately ascertain whether such balances are, in fact, in excess of current needs;
   2. The State Bond Commission shall issue notes as authorized hereunder in whatever amount it finds to be necessary, upon the recommendation of the State Fiscal Officer, to maintain a sufficient working balance in the General Fund; or
   3. If the State Bond Commission determines that it is not practical to issue notes at that time, or if the State Bond Commission determines it is not in the financial interests of the state to issue the notes at that time, and if the cash balance in special funds in the State Treasury in fact have cash in excess of their immediate needs, then the State Bond Commission shall, to the extent that such balances are available, make temporary loans or transfers therefrom to the General Fund. To accomplish such transfer or loan, a requisition shall be issued by the bond commission against the special fund or funds, a copy thereof to be sent to each agency responsible for the administration of the fund or funds so utilized. The State Fiscal Officer shall issue his disbursement warrants against the fund or funds in the manner prescribed in governing statutes, and shall maintain a complete record of such transfers or loans and repayments thereof. A similar but separate record shall be maintained by the State Treasurer’s office, to afford a double check for the benefit of the bond commission and agencies administering any special funds involved. In the event any special fund has such a loan outstanding to the General Fund and needs the use of the money before the balance of the General Fund is sufficient to make repayment thereof, the bond commission is authorized and directed to effectuate a loan or transfer from other special fund or funds to the General Fund in an amount sufficient to make repayment, or if no other special fund balances are available, the bond commission shall immediately issue notes in the amount needed, as authorized in Section 31-17-103.
2. It shall be the duty of the State Fiscal Officer to advise the bond commission, each month after such notes have been issued or such loans or transfers have been made, whether or not the cash balance to the credit of the State General Fund is sufficient to make full or partial payment of such obligations in addition to other current requirements, and if such is the case, the commission shall promptly issue requisitions on the State General Fund for whatever amount can be paid on such obligations without reducing the General Fund cash balance below the amount needed for current requirements during the remainder of the month; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants accordingly. The State Treasurer shall requisition warrants, as appropriate, from the State Fiscal Officer, for the payment of interest on notes authorized hereunder and the payment of any costs authorized under Section 31-17-103.
3. The State Bond Commission is also authorized, in the manner provided herein, to make temporary loans or transfers from special funds in the State Treasury to pay amounts authorized under Section 31-17-101 et seq., including without limitation payment of the principal of and interest on notes issued hereunder.
4. Notes herein authorized to be issued may be reissued, and interfund loans or transfers herein authorized to be made may be remade, provided the total amount of such notes and interfund loans or transfers combined, outstanding at any one (1) time, shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7-1/2%) of the total appropriations made by the Legislature out of the General Fund for the fiscal year during which such notes are issued and such interfund loans or transfers are made.
5. The State Bond Commission shall immediately send notice of any action relating to the issuance of bonds or the borrowing of money, under authority of this or any other section, to the Legislative Budget Office.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 3; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1; Laws, 1982, ch. 334, § 2; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 194; Laws, 1992, ch. 484, § 16, eff from and after passage (approved May 7, 1992).

§ 31-17-107. Full faith and credit of state pledged on notes.

For the prompt payment of said notes at maturity, both principal and interest, the full faith, credit and resources of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 4; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-109. Sale of notes.

The notes herein authorized shall be sold from time to time by the commission as the needs for the proceeds thereof may arise, which sale shall be made on such terms and in such manner as may be deemed by the commission to be to the best interest of the State of Mississippi, except as herein otherwise provided.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 5; Laws, 1979, ch. 446, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-111. Commission to fix terms and details of notes and provide for issuance.

The commission in providing for the issuance of the notes herein authorized shall have full discretion (consistent with the provisions of Section 31-17-103 hereof) in fixing the terms and details thereof, and may provide for the issuance of said notes in such form, executed in such manner and payable at such place or places, and containing such terms, covenants and provisions as said commission may, by resolution or resolutions, provide.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 6; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-113. Use of proceeds limited to purposes provided.

The proceeds of the sale of the notes herein authorized shall be paid into the state treasury and used for the purpose herein provided, and for no other purposes.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 7; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-115. Issuance of interim certificates in anticipation of notes; supplemental powers conferred in issuance of bonds.

In anticipation of the issuance of the notes herein authorized, the commission may authorize and issue interim certificates payable to bearer or to the purchaser of the notes. Such interim certificates may be in such form and may contain such terms, conditions or provisions and such agreement or agreements relating to their discharge, through the delivery of the notes, as the commission may by resolution or resolutions determine.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the Registered Bond Act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 8; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1; Laws, 1983, ch. 494, § 12, eff from and after passage (approved April 11, 1983).

§ 31-17-117. Notes and interim certificates to be fully negotiable.

All notes and interim certificates, issued pursuant to the provisions of Sections 31-17-101 through 31-17-123, shall be fully negotiable within the meaning and for all purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code as said law is now or may hereafter be in force in the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557 § 9; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-119. Taxation of notes, interest and income.

All notes issued hereunder and all interest thereon and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation except gift, transfer and inheritance taxes.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 10; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-121. State treasurer to keep records of notes issued.

The State Treasurer shall keep a record in his office of the issuance of the notes herein authorized and shall execute a certificate to that effect on the back of each note, which certificate may be signed by either the original or the facsimile signature of the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall also keep proper records relating to the sale and issuance of notes hereunder and the amounts received therefor and paid into the treasury for the purposes herein provided.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 11; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1979.

§ 31-17-123. Borrowing authorized to offset temporary cash flow deficiencies; borrowing not to exceed amount which can be repaid in fiscal year of loan.

1. The intent of the Legislature is to authorize borrowing funds under the provisions of Sections 31-17-101 through 31-17-123 to offset any temporary cash flow deficiencies and should not be construed to authorize the borrowing of any funds in an amount that cannot be repaid during the fiscal year in which the funds are borrowed.
2. 1. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, in the event that the State Fiscal Officer and the State Treasurer make a determination that (i) state-source special funds are not sufficient to cover deficiencies in the General Fund, (ii) the State of Mississippi is unable to repay special fund borrowing within the fiscal year in which it was borrowed, or (iii) state-source funds are insufficient for disaster support and/or assistance purposes due to Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita; and that the State Bond Commission makes a determination that such deficiency, inability to repay, or insufficiency is the result of a state of emergency within the State of Mississippi, the State Bond Commission is authorized to obtain a line of credit, in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00), from a commercial lender, investment banking group or a consortium of either, or both. The length of indebtedness under this subsection shall not extend past five (5) years following the origination of the line of credit. The line of credit shall be authorized and approved by the State Bond Commission and shall have such terms and details as may be provided by resolution of the State Bond Commission. Loan proceeds shall be received and disbursed by the State Treasurer and deposited into the Disaster Recovery Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury, and shall be used to cover deficiencies in the General Fund, to repay special fund borrowing and/or to cover any insufficiency in disaster support and/or assistance. Monies remaining in the Disaster Recovery Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall remain in the Disaster Recovery Fund and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the Disaster Recovery Fund shall remain in the fund.
   2. As security for the repayment of the principal and interest on the line of credit provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the full faith, credit and resources of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged.
   3. Upon approval of the State Fiscal Officer, the Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is authorized to use amounts from the line of credit to match federal funds, and for personnel, call-back wages, base and overtime wages, travel, per diem and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita.
   4. This subsection (2) shall be complete authority for the borrowing authorized hereunder and shall not be subject to the limitations provided in the other provisions of this chapter or otherwise under state law.
   5. The State Treasurer shall notify the Legislative Budget Office and the State Department of Finance and Administration of each transfer into and out of the Disaster Recovery Fund on a quarterly basis.

HISTORY: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 12; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 195; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 7; Laws, 1986, ch. 480, § 3; Laws, 1988, ch. 518, § 21; Laws, 1992, ch. 484 § 10; Laws, 2005, ch. 440, § 2; Laws, 2005, 5th Ex Sess, ch. 12, § 1; Laws, 2006, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 8, § 17; Laws, 2009, ch. 341, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 16, 2009.).

§ 31-17-125. Authority to borrow money and funds.

This chapter, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the borrowing of money and funds in the manner and for the purposes authorized hereunder, and none of the restrictions, requirements, conditions or limitations of law applicable to the issuance or sale of notes or other evidences of indebtedness or the making of any arrangements authorized hereunder shall apply and all powers necessary to be exercised in order to carry out the provision of this chapter are hereby conferred.

HISTORY: Laws, 1982, ch. 334, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved March 11, 1982).

§ 31-17-127. Bonds for cost of Four-Lane Highway Program; Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund.

1. 1. At any time when the revenue designated under Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37 and 27-65-75 to defray the cost of constructing or reconstructing highways under the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97 is insufficient to fund the construction priorities as they are scheduled in subsection (3) of Section 65-3-97, the State Bond Commission, upon receipt of a resolution from the Mississippi Transportation Commission requesting the same, is hereby authorized, on the credit of the state, to make temporary borrowings in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000.00) in order to provide funds in such amounts as may, from time to time, be deemed necessary. In order to provide for, and in connection with such temporary borrowings, the State Bond Commission is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf of the state 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 Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37, 27-65-75 and 65-3-97 as may be authorized by the State Bond Commission.
   2. As an alternative to the issuance of bonds under the provisions of Sections 65-39-5 through 65-39-33, for the purpose of providing funds for infrastructure projects under Section 65-39-1, the State Bond Commission, upon receipt of a resolution from the Mississippi Transportation Commission requesting the same, is hereby authorized, on the credit of the state, to make temporary borrowings in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00) in order to provide funds in such amounts as may, from time to time, be deemed necessary. In order to provide for, and in connection with such temporary borrowings, the State Bond Commission is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf of the state 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 Section 65-39-1 as may be authorized by the State Bond Commission. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Transportation Commission adopt such a resolution or resolutions as often and as frequently as may be necessary to insure the availability of sufficient funds to provide timely completion of all projects authorized under Section 65-39-1.
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 conditions of sale and issue, prepayment or redemption and maturity, rate or rates of interest and time of payment of interest as the State Bond Commission shall authorize and direct and in accordance with Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37, 27-65-75, 65-3-97 and 65-39-1; however, such notes shall mature not more than ten (10) years from the date of issuance. The State Bond Commission may provide for the subsequent issuance of refunding notes or bonds to refund, upon issuance thereof, such notes, and may specify such other terms and conditions with respect to such refunding notes or bonds thereby authorized for issuance as the seller may determine and direct, however such refunding notes or bonds shall mature not more than ten (10) years from date of issuance.
3. In connection with the issuance of such refunding notes or bonds, the State Bond Commission 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:
   1. To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of issues of refunding notes, or bonds.
   2. To enter into any purchase, loan or credit agreements, and to draw monies 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.
   3. To appoint or act as issuing and paying agent or agents with respect to such refunding notes or bonds.
   4. 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 refunding notes or bonds.

      Such agreements may provide for the compensation of any purchasers or underwriters of such refunding notes or bonds 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 such refunding notes or bonds and paying agent costs. Costs and expenses of issuance may be paid from the proceeds of the refunding notes or bonds.

4. At or prior to the time of delivery of these refunding notes or bonds, the State Bond Commission shall 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 such refunding notes or bonds and to assure that the same may draw upon any monies 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. 1. (i) Such outstanding refunding notes or bonds evidencing such borrowings to defray the cost of constructing or reconstructing highways under the Four-Lane Highway Program established in Section 65-3-97 shall be funded and retired by the revenue designated under Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37 and 27-65-75 and from any and all legally available federal aid grant reimbursements which are hereby pledged for this purpose, which is intended to be a priority use for such pledged funds for so long as any notes, refunding notes or bonds are outstanding. Such revenues shall be deposited into the Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund for the repayment of the debt service of the refunding notes or bonds in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subsection (5). Such refunding notes or bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be secured by a first and priority lien on the revenues pledged therefor.
      1. Outstanding notes evidencing such borrowings to defray the cost of infrastructure projects under Section 65-39-1 may be funded and retired from monies in the Gaming Counties Bond Sinking Fund created under Section 65-39-3. The refunding notes or 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 refunding notes or bonds.
   2. There is created in the State Treasury a special fund designated as the “Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund” into which shall be deposited the funds designated in this paragraph until the balance in the fund is equal to the next two (2) debt service requirements of the refunding notes or bonds issued to defray the cost of the Four-Lane Highway Program established in Section 65-3-97. Once the required balance in the fund is reached, deposits shall cease until the amount in the fund falls below the amount equal to the next two (2) debt service requirements of the refunding bonds or notes. Unexpended amounts in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Money in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this subsection. The State Treasurer shall disburse money from the fund for the purposes authorized under this subsection. Deposits into the fund shall be made as follows:
      1. Federal aid grant reimbursements designated for the Four-Lane Highway Program established in Section 65-3-97 shall be deposited into the Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund until such time as the balance requirements of this section are met.
      2. If the federal aid grant reimbursements designated for the Four-Lane Highway Program are projected by the State Treasurer to be insufficient to meet the balance requirements of this paragraph, then the revenue designated under Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37 and 27-65-75 to defray the cost of the Four-Lane Highway Program shall be deposited into the Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund.
      3. If the amounts required to be deposited by items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (b) are projected by the State Treasurer to be insufficient to meet the balance requirements of this paragraph, then any other legally available federal aid grant reimbursements shall be deposited into the Four-Lane Highway Trust Fund.

      At such times as the balance requirements of this paragraph are met, the State Treasurer shall transfer all excess amounts to the State Highway Fund.

   3. Any state laws authorizing the imposition or distribution of taxes, fees or federal reimbursements designated for the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97, or that affect those taxes, fees and federal reimbursements pledged for the payment of refunding notes or bonds issued under this section, shall not be amended or repealed or otherwise directly or indirectly modified so as to impair such outstanding refunding notes or bonds unless such refunding notes or bonds have been discharged in full or provisions have been made for a full discharge or defeasance.
6. The proceeds of all such temporary borrowing shall be paid to the Mississippi Transportation Commission to be held and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Sections 27-5-101, 27-19-99, 27-19-325, 27-57-37, 27-65-75, 65-3-97 and 65-39-1.

HISTORY: Laws, 1987, ch. 322, § 30; Laws 1994, ch. 557, § 39; Laws 1995, ch. 523, § 1; Laws 1997, ch. 562, § 1; Laws 1999, ch. 575, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Apr. 21, 1999.).

§ 31-17-151. Definitions.

As used in Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Notes” shall mean notes, replacement notes, refunding notes or similar evidence of indebtedness.

“State-supported debt” shall mean any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness, including bonds to be issued to fund reserve funds and costs of issuance, as previously or hereinafter authorized, from time to time, to be issued by the state for which the state is or will be constitutionally obligated to pay debt service or is or will be contractually obligated to pay debt service subject to an appropriation; however, this definition shall not apply to debt issued by the Mississippi Development Bank or similar state agencies or authorities.

“State” shall mean the State of Mississippi.

“Commission” shall mean the State Bond Commission of the state.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 170, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-153. State Bond Commission authorized to make temporary borrowings in anticipation of issuance of state-supported debt.

Pending the issuance of any state-supported debt, the commission is hereby authorized in accordance with the provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 and on the credit of the state, to make temporary borrowings, from time to time, in anticipation of the issuance of state-supported debt in order to provide funds in such amounts as may, from time to time, be deemed advisable prior to the issuance of state-supported debt. In order to provide for and in connection with such temporary borrowings, the commission is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf of the state, to enter into agreements, which agreements may contain such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, with any banks, trust companies, investment banking firms or other institutions or persons in the United States of America having the power to enter the same:

To purchase or underwrite an issue or series of issues of notes.

To enter into any purchase, loan, line of credit, credit or similar agreements, and to draw monies, from time to time, 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.

Such agreements may provide for the compensation of any purchasers or underwriters of such notes by payment of a fee or commission, and for all other costs and expenses, including fees for agreements related to the sale and issuance of notes. All costs and expenses of sale and issuance of notes may be paid from the proceeds of the notes or from any other lawfully available source of monies.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 171, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-155. Temporary borrowings to be evidenced by notes; security.

All temporary borrowings made under Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall be evidenced by notes of the state which shall be sold and issued, from time to time, at competitive or negotiated sale, for such amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the applicable statutory and constitutional debt limitation in connection with the related state-supported debt, in such form and in such denominations and subject to terms and conditions of sale and issuance, prepayment or redemption and maturity, variable and/or fixed rate or rates of interest, time of payment of interest and other applicable provisions as the commission shall authorize and direct and in accordance with Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181. All notes issued pursuant to Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 may be secured by a pledge of: (a) the same source of security as the related state-supported debt, or (b) such other security as the state may lawfully pledge, or both, all as provided by resolution of the commission. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, notes may be issued for any otherwise authorized state-supported debt. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 or when in conflict with the provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, such notes shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the legislation authorizing the issuance of such state-supported debt.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 172, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-157. Issuance of replacement notes.

The commission is authorized to 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 replacement notes thereby authorized for issuance as the commission may determine and direct.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 173, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-159. Payment of principal and interest.

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 and to assure that the same may draw upon any monies available for that purpose pursuant to any purchase, loan, line of credit, credit or similar agreements established with respect thereto, all subject to the authorization and direction of the commission.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 174, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-161. Funding and retirement of temporary borrowings.

Outstanding notes evidencing such temporary borrowings shall be funded and retired by the issuance and sale of state-supported debt, from time to time, as determined by the commission and must be sold and issued not later than a date four (4) years after the date of issuance of the first notes evidencing such temporary 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.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 175, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-163. Proceeds of temporary borrowings paid to State Treasurer.

The proceeds of all such temporary borrowings shall be paid to the State Treasurer to be held and disposed of in accordance with such laws of the state authorizing the sale and issuance of the related state-supported debt.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 176, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-165. Powers and authority of commission.

The commission is hereby authorized to do such other acts and enter into such other agreements as may be needed or be appropriate in connection with the sale, issuance and payment of the notes and any program developed by the commission in relation thereto.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 177, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-167. Purpose of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181.

The purpose of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 is to provide full and complete authority for the state, acting by and through the commission, for such temporary borrowings. No procedure or proceedings, publications, notices, consents, limitations, approvals, orders, acts or things, other than those required by Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, shall be required for such temporary borrowings or to do any act or perform anything under Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 except as otherwise may be prescribed in Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181. The powers conferred by Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall be in addition and supplemental to, and not in substitution for, and the limitations imposed by Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall not affect the powers conferred by any other law. Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 are remedial in nature and shall be liberally construed.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 178, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-169. Full and complete authority for all temporary borrowings.

This section and other applicable provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed full and complete authority for all such temporary borrowings by the state, and shall be construed as an additional and alternative method therefor.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 179, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-171. Nothing in Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 to be construed as applicable to obligations other than those that are state-supported.

Nothing in Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall be construed as to apply to or limit any debt obligation or related instrument of the state or any other issuers except those obligations or instruments which are or relate to state-supported debt.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 180, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-173. Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 deemed to be full and complete authority for exercise of powers granted therein.

Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of the state.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 181, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-175. Notes to be fully negotiable and shall be “securities” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code.

All notes sold and issued under Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall be fully negotiable in accordance with their terms and shall be “securities” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, subject to the provisions of such notes pertaining to registration. It shall not be necessary to file financing statements or continuation statements to protect the lien and pledge granted by the state to the holders of any notes issued under Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 182, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-177. Notes and income therefrom exempt from state taxation.

All notes sold and issued under the provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 183, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-179. Severability.

If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences or parts of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 shall for any reason be questioned in any court and shall be adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181, but shall be confined in its operations to the specific provisions so held invalid, and inapplicability or invalidity of any such section, clause, sentence or part shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way the remaining part or parts of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 184, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-17-181. Validation of notes.

Any notes sold and issued under the provisions of Sections 31-17-151 through 31-17-181 may, in the discretion of the commission, be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the validation of municipal bonds.

HISTORY: Laws, 2004, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 185, eff from and after passage (approved November 24, 2004.).

§ 31-18-1. Definitions.

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

“Variable rate bonds” shall mean state-supported debt which bears interest at a rate or rates which vary from time to time and shall include variable rate refunding bonds.

“Interest rate exchange or similar agreement” shall mean a written contract entered into by the state with a counterparty in connection with state-supported debt to provide for an exchange of payments based upon fixed and/or variable rates, shall include interest rates, caps, collars, floors and similar agreements and options on each of the foregoing, and shall be for exchanges in currency of the United States of America only with such terms determined by the commission to be in the financial best interest of the state.

“State-supported debt” shall mean any bonds or notes, including bonds or notes issued to fund reserve funds and costs of issuance and refunding bonds or refunding notes, currently outstanding or authorized to be issued by the state for which the state is or will be constitutionally obligated to pay debt service or is or will be contractually obligated to pay debt service subject to an appropriation; however, this definition shall not apply to debt issued by the Mississippi Development Bank or similar state agencies or authorities.

“Counterparty” shall mean the provider of or other party to an interest rate exchange or similar agreement.

“State” shall mean the State of Mississippi.

“Commission” shall mean the State Bond Commission of the state.

“Variable rate debt instruments” shall mean variable rate bonds, variable rate refunding bonds and interest rate exchange or similar agreements which result in the state effectively paying interest at a rate or rates which vary from time to time.

“Excluded agreements” shall mean the total notional amount of interest rate exchange or similar agreements entered into for the purpose of reducing, reversing or unwinding another interest rate exchange or similar agreement or eliminating a situation of risk or exposure under an existing interest rate exchange or similar agreement, including, but not limited to, a counterparty downgrade, default, or other actual or potential economic loss.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 52 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-3. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide full and complete authority for the state, acting by and through the commission, to issue or enter into variable rate debt instruments.No procedure or proceedings, publications, notices, consents, limitations, approvals, orders, acts or things, other than those required by this chapter, shall be required to issue or enter into any variable rate debt instruments or to do any act or perform anything under this chapter except as otherwise may be prescribed in this chapter.The powers conferred by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to, and not in substitution for, and the limitations imposed by this chapter shall not affect the powers conferred by any other law.This chapter is remedial in nature and shall be liberally construed.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 53 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-5. State supported debt issued as variable rate bond.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any otherwise authorized state-supported debt may be issued as variable rate bonds.Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or when in conflict with the provisions in this chapter, such variable rate bonds shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the legislation authorizing the issuance of such state-supported debt.
2. Variable rate bonds issued by the state pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section or Section 31-18-7 shall be issued pursuant to an authorizing resolution of the commission.Such variable rate bonds may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may bear interest at such rate or rates, varying from time to time, not to exceed that allowed by law for the class of bonds being issued, may be in such denominations, may be subject to such terms of redemption (with or without premium) may be sold at private sale with a competitive element (which sale shall be on such terms and in such manner as the commission shall determine) and may contain such other terms and covenants (including, without limitation, covenants for the security and better marketability of such variable rate bonds), as may be provided by resolution of the commission.Pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the commission may enter into such agreements as may be necessary in connection with the issuance of such variable rate bonds.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 54 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-7. Issuance of variable rate refunding bonds by the state.

1. This section and other applicable provisions of this chapter, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed full and complete authority for the issuance of variable rate refunding bonds by the state, and shall be construed as an additional and alternative method therefor.
2. The state, acting by and through the commission, may refund outstanding bonds through the issuance of variable rate refunding bonds.Any such refunding may be effected whether or not the bonds to be refunded shall have then matured or shall thereafter mature.
3. Variable rate refunding bonds issued pursuant to this chapter may be secured by a pledge of:(a) the same source of security as the bonds to be refunded, or (b) such other security as the state may lawfully pledge, or both; all as may be provided by resolution of the commission.
4. At the time of the issuance of such variable rate refunding bonds, the commission shall find by resolution that at the time of such refunding, such refunding is expected to result in an overall net present value savings to maturity of not less than two percent (2%) of the bonds being refunded.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 55 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-9. Commission’s power of state-supported debt.

In connection with state-supported debt, the commission shall have the power to:

Enter into interest rate exchange or similar agreements with any person under such terms and conditions as the commission may determine, including, but not limited to, provisions as to default or early termination;

Procure insurance, letters of credit or other credit enhancement with respect to agreements described in paragraph (a) of this section;

Provide security for the payment or performance of its obligations with respect to agreements described in paragraph (a) of this section from such sources and with the same effect as is authorized by applicable law with respect to security for its bonds, notes or other obligations; however, any payment or performance of obligations with respect to agreements described in paragraph (a) of this section in connection with debt obligations which carry the full faith and credit of the state shall be subject to appropriation;

Modify, amend, or replace, such agreements described in paragraph (a) of this section; and

Because of the complexity of agreements described in paragraph (a) of this section, the commission may solicit the provision of such agreements on a competitive or negotiated basis with a competitive element included.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 56 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-11. Interest rate exchange or similar agreements; limitations.

Any interest rate exchange or similar agreements entered into pursuant to Section 31-18-9 shall be subject to the following limitations:

The counterparty thereto shall have credit ratings from at least one nationally recognized statistical rating agency that is within the two (2) highest investment grade categories and ratings which are obtained from any other nationally recognized statistical rating agencies shall also be within the three (3) highest investment grade categories, or the payment obligations of the counterparty shall be unconditionally guaranteed by an entity with such credit ratings;

The written contract shall require that should the rating: (i) of the counterparty, if its payment obligations are not unconditionally guaranteed by another entity, or (ii) of the entity unconditionally guaranteeing its payment obligations, if so secured, fall below the rating required by paragraph (a) of this section, that the obligations of such counterparty shall be fully and continuously collateralized by direct obligations of, or obligations the principal and interest on which are guaranteed by the United States of America with a net market value of at least one hundred two percent (102%) of the net market value of the contract of the authorized insurer and such collateral shall be deposited as agreed to by the commission;

The counterparty has a net worth of at least One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00), or the counterparty’s obligations under the interest rate exchange or similar agreement are guaranteed by a person or entity having a net worth of at least One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00);

The total notional amount of all interest rate exchange or similar agreements for the state to be in effect shall not exceed an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total amount of state-supported debt outstanding as of the initial date of entering into each new agreement; however, such total notional amount shall not include any excluded agreements;

No interest rate exchange or similar agreement shall have a maturity exceeding the maturity of the related state-supported debt;

Each interest rate exchange or similar agreement shall be subject to a finding by the commission that its terms and conditions reflect a fair market value of such agreement as of the date of its execution, regardless of whether such agreement was solicited on a competitive or negotiated basis with a competitive element; and

Each interest rate exchange or similar agreement, including the modification or termination thereof, shall be subject to the approval of the commission or its designee.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 57 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-13. Initial date variable rate debt instruments.

1. As of the initial date of each issuance of variable rate debt instruments, the total of the principal and notional amounts of such variable rate debt instruments outstanding and in effect shall not exceed an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total principal amount of state-supported debt outstanding.
2. The limitation contained in subsection (1) of this section shall not include any excluded agreements.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 58 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-15. Debt obligation or related instrument.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to apply to or limit any debt obligation or related instrument of the state or any other issuers except those obligations or instruments which are or relate to state-supported debt.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 59 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-17. Excercise of power.

This chapter 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.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 60 effective upon its passage, and it was approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-19. Issuance of variable rate bonds.

All variable rate bonds issued under this chapter shall be fully negotiable in accordance with their terms and shall be “securities” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, subject to the provisions of such bonds pertaining to registration.It shall not be necessary to file financing statements or continuation statements to protect the lien and pledge granted by a governmental unit to the holders of any variable rate bonds issued under this chapter.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 61 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-21. Provisions of issuance; variable rate bonds.

All variable rate bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 62 effective upon its passage, and it was approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-18-23. Sections, clauses, or sentences questioned or adjudged unconstitutional.

If any one or more sections, clauses, sentences or parts of this chapter shall for any reason be questioned in any court and shall be adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this chapter, but shall be confined in its operations to the specific provisions so held invalid, and inapplicability or invalidity of any such section, clause, provision or part shall not be taken to affect or prejudice in any way the remaining part or parts of this chapter.

HISTORY: Laws, 2003, ch. 522, § 63 effective upon its passage, and approved by the Governor on April 19, 2003.

§ 31-19-1. Serial payment bonds only may be issued.

No county or municipality shall issue any bonds except on the serial payment plan.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662d; 1930, § 5980; 1942, § 4322; Laws, 1918, ch. 209.

§ 31-19-3. Penalty on officials for violations.

For failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter by any officer, any taxpayer may institute a suit for damages on the bond of such official who is required to give a bond; and in addition thereto, such official may be punished for such failure as for a misdemeanor, and on conviction be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned in the county jail for six (6) months, or both.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662e; 1930, § 5981; 1942, § 4323; Laws, 1918, ch. 209.

§ 31-19-5. Investment of certain funds.

Any funds received from the sale of bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness heretofore or hereafter sold by the State of Mississippi or any agency or department thereof or by any county, municipality, road district, levee district, development district, utility district, school district, drainage district or other entity authorized by law to issue bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness, which are not immediately required for disbursement for the purpose for which issued, may be invested by the proper authorities in any direct obligation issued by or guaranteed in full as to principal and interest by the United States of America or in certificates of deposit issued by or through a qualified depository of the State of Mississippi as approved by the State Treasurer, maturing or being redeemable by the holder on or prior to the date upon which such funds will be required for disbursement and bearing interest at a rate per annum not less than a simple interest rate numerically equal to the average bank discount rate on United States Treasury bills of comparable maturity or the current rate of interest paid on certificates of deposit or on United States Treasury obligations of comparable maturities, whichever is the higher, provided, however, that the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to Sections 57-1-131 through 57-1-145, Mississippi Code of 1972, or Chapter 3 of Title 57, Mississippi Code of 1972, may be invested in certificates of deposit issued by or through qualified depositories of the State of Mississippi bearing interest at any rate per annum which may be mutually agreed upon, but in no case shall said rate be less than such average bank discount rate.

Funds received pursuant to this section shall be invested as heretofore described or may be invested, pursuant to rules promulgated by the State Treasurer, in obligations described in Section 27-105-33(d), Mississippi Code of 1972; however, funds described in this section may not be invested in securities of, or interests in, any open-end or closed-end management-type investment company or investment trust, such as those described in Section 27-105-33(e).

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4345; Laws, 1942, ch. 192; Laws, 1948, ch. 212; Laws, 1971, ch. 453, § 1; Laws, 1973, ch. 434, § 1; Laws, 1988, ch. 393, § 2; Laws, 1989, ch. 544, § 164; Laws, 1989, ch. 540, § 3; Laws, 2007, ch. 426, § 5, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 22, 2007.).

§ 31-19-7. Ratification of bonds signed by officials not in office at the time of sale or delivery.

Whenever, pursuant to statutory authority, bonds of the State of Mississippi, or of any county, municipality, road district, supervisors district, school district, drainage district, or other taxing district therein, have been or shall hereafter be prepared and signed by the officials designated to sign the bonds by statute or by the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, who were or are in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officials prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officials upon such bonds and the coupons thereto attached are valid and sufficient for all purposes and shall have the same effect as if the persons so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until delivery of the same to the purchasers or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear, although the term of office of such persons or any of them may have expired or they may otherwise have ceased to be such officers before such delivery or although the term of office of such persons or any of them may not have commenced until a date subsequent to the date such bonds may bear. All such bonds heretofore or hereafter executed and heretofore or hereafter sold and delivered are hereby ratified, validated, and confirmed, notwithstanding any change in office which may have taken place subsequently to the execution of the bonds and coupons and prior to the delivery thereof or any change in office which may have taken place subsequently to the date which such bonds may bear and prior to the execution and delivery thereof; and such bonds shall be valid and binding obligations of said state, county, municipality, road district, supervisors district, school district, drainage district, or other taxing district, as the case may be.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662y; 1930, § 5989; 1942, § 4349; Laws, 1920, ch. 221; Laws, 1934, ch. 133.

§ 31-19-9. Payment of county bonds and coupons at maturity.

Whenever any county, road district, consolidated school district, rural school district, or other taxing districts controlled by the board of supervisors which has heretofore issued or shall hereafter issue bonds or other obligations of which principal and interest shall be payable at some bank or trust company, or at some office other than the county treasury, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors on the allowance of said board to issue a warrant against the proper fund for the amount of principal and interest due and to forward exchange to the paying agent. Said exchange shall be sufficient in amount to pay said principal and interest and a reasonable fee to said paying agent for handling same, said fee not to exceed one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) of the amount of coupons paid and one-eighth of one percent (1/8 of 1%) of the amount of bonds paid. Said exchange shall be forwarded in time to reach the paying agent at least five (5) days prior to the date on which said principal and interest shall become due, and the receipt of the paying agent for said remittance shall be sufficient voucher in the hands of said clerk for said remittance until the bonds or coupons shall have been paid and cancelled and returned to said clerk.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662z; 1930, § 5990; 1942, § 4350; Laws, 1920, ch. 233; Laws, 1948, ch. 213.

§ 31-19-11. Allowance for remittance.

Said allowance for said remittances shall be made by the board of supervisors at the regular meeting of said board held at least thirty (30) days preceding the date on which said bonds and coupons shall become due.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662a1; 1930, § 5991; 1942, § 4351; Laws, 1920, ch. 233.

§ 31-19-13. Payment of municipal or drainage district bonds.

Where said obligations above referred to shall have been issued or shall hereafter be issued by a city, town, or village, or municipal separate school district, it shall be the duty of the board of mayor and aldermen or the board of commissioners, to make the allowance above referred to at least thirty (30) days prior to the maturity of such indebtedness; and the clerk of said board shall forward the funds as above provided for. In case of a drainage district, the commissioners shall make the allowance, and the secretary-treasurer of the district shall forward the funds as above provided for.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662b1; 1930, § 5992; 1942, § 4352; Laws, 1920, ch. 233.

§ 31-19-15. Remedy of bondholders.

For failure or refusal to comply with the foregoing provisions, any official charged with any duties under Sections 31-19-9 through 31-19-13 shall be liable on his official bond to any holder of any bond or coupon for any and all expenses incident to the collection of same, and for all damages which may have accrued on account of the failure to pay same promptly at the place of payment at maturity.

HISTORY: Codes, Hemingway’s 1921 Supp. § 6662c1; 1930, § 5993; 1942, § 4353; Laws, 1920, ch. 233.

§ 31-19-17. Outstanding bonds may be registered.

Any and all persons holding or owning any outstanding and unmatured State of Mississippi bonds may present the same to the auditor of public accounts, and it shall be the duty of such auditor to register such bonds in a book to be kept by him for that purpose in such a manner that the owner of said bonds may be identified if the said bonds should be lost or stolen; and in like manner to keep a record of all transfers of such bonds so reported to him.

HISTORY: Codes, 1930, § 5994; 1942, § 4354; Laws, 1922, ch. 298.

§§ 31-19-19 through 31-19-23. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1986, ch. 317, eff from and after passage (approved March 13, 1986).

§31-19-19. [Codes, 1942, § 4355; Laws, 1938, ch. 295; 1962, ch. 500, § 1]

§31-19-21. [Codes, 1942, § 4356; Laws, 1938, ch. 295; 1962, ch. 500, § 2; 1970, ch. 319, § 1]

§31-19-23. [Codes, 1942, § 4357; Laws, 1938, ch. 295; 1962, ch. 500, § 3]

§ 31-19-25. Sale of bonds to be advertised.

All bonds issued pursuant to any laws of this state and hereafter sold by the governing authority of or on behalf of any county, road district, school district, drainage district or other political subdivision or instrumentality of this state shall be advertised for sale on sealed bids or at public auction. Such advertisement shall be published at least two (2) times in a newspaper published in the county in which the political subdivision or instrumentality is situated, and if no newspaper is published in such county, then in a newspaper published in an adjoining county; with respect to a political subdivision or instrumentality which is composed of more than one (1) county, such advertisement shall be published at least two (2) times in a newspaper having a general circulation in each county all or a portion of which is part of the political subdivision or instrumentality. The first publication in each case shall be made at least ten (10) days preceding the date fixed for the reception of bids, and such notice shall give the time and place of sale.

The governing authority may reject any and all bids, whether so stated in the notice of sale or not. If the bonds are not sold pursuant to such advertisement, they may be sold by the governing authority by private sale at any time within sixty (60) days after the date advertised for the reception of bids; but no such private sale shall be made at a price less than the highest bid which shall have been received pursuant to such advertisement. If not so sold at private sale, said bonds shall be readvertised in the manner herein prescribed.

Every bid for the purchase of any of such bonds shall be accompanied by a cashier’s check, certified check or exchange, payable to the proper governing authority, issued or certified by a bank located in this state in the amount of not less than two percent (2%) of the par value of the bonds offered for sale, as a guaranty that the bidder will carry out his contract and purchase the bonds if the bid is accepted. If the successful bidder fails to purchase the bonds pursuant to his bid and contract, the amount of such good faith check shall be retained by the governing authority and covered into the proper fund as liquidated damages for such failure.

This section shall not apply to the sale of bonds by the State of Mississippi through the State Bond Commission or the sale of bonds or any other indebtedness incurred by a county in connection with a project as defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxviii) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxix).

A failure to comply with any provision of this section shall not invalidate such bonds, but any member of the governing board, commission or other governing authority who shall willfully violate any of said provisions and shall willfully fail to give the notices herein required shall be liable personally and on his official bond for a penalty in each case of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and, in addition thereto, for all financial loss that may result to the county, municipality, road district, school district, drainage district or other political subdivision or instrumentality of the state or county resulting from such willful failure to comply herewith. Such penalty and damages may be recovered by suit of the Attorney General, a district attorney or of any citizen of such county or other political subdivision in any court of competent jurisdiction, for the use and benefit of the county or other such political subdivision or instrumentality.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4357-01; Laws, 1946, ch. 325, §§ 1, 2; Laws, 1987, ch. 434; Laws, 2013, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 11; Laws, 2016, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 1, § 15, eff from and after passage (approved Feb. 8, 2016).

§ 31-19-27. Doubtful claims defined.

A doubtful claim of the state, or of the county, city, town, village, or levee board is one for which judgment has been rendered and for the collection of which the ordinary process of law has been ineffectual; debts due by drainage districts or other taxing districts or sinking funds to counties under the Rehabilitation Act of 1928, being Chapter 88 of the Laws of 1928, and Chapter 16 of the Acts of the Special Session of 1931; those debts due counties by drainage districts, which the reconstruction finance corporation has heretofore refused to refinance; debts due for sixteenth section township school fund loans made to churches, where the board of supervisors finds that the value of the security given therefor is insufficient or inadequate to pay or satisfy the principal and interest of said loan, and when the church repays the principal of said loan; and debts due by counties and townships to drainage districts for drainage district assessments or taxes levied and assessed upon sixteenth section lands.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 1572; 1906, § 1680; Hemingway’s 1917, § 1427; 1930, § 5995; 1942, § 4385; Laws, 1934, ch. 204; Laws, 1938, ch. 344; Laws, 1946, ch. 241, § 1; Laws, 1950, ch. 254, § 1.

§ 31-19-29. Compromise of doubtful claims.

The Governor, on the advice of the Attorney General or chairman of the State Tax Commission, may, upon application of the defendant or debtor proposing a compromise, settle and compromise any doubtful claim of the state, or of any county, city, town, or village, or of any levee board against such defendant or debtor, upon such terms as he may deem proper, the board of supervisors in the case of a county, and the municipal authorities in the case of a city, town or village, and the levee board in the case of a claim of a levee board, concurring therein. The Governor, upon application of a drainage district having obligations outstanding to a county under the provisions of Chapter 88, Laws of 1928, and Chapter 16, Laws of the Extraordinary Session of 1931, or obligations which the reconstruction finance corporation has heretofore refused to refinance, may settle and compromise any claim, debt or obligation that said drainage district may owe any county in the State of Mississippi for money loaned said district under the provisions of said Chapter 88, Laws of 1928, or any other claim, debt or obligation that said drainage district may owe the county which the reconstruction finance corporation has heretofore refused to finance, if the board of supervisors of said county concurs in the application of the drainage district. The Governor, upon application by the board of supervisors for any taxing districts of said county or sinking funds of said county under the control and supervision of said board of supervisors having obligations outstanding and due to said county under the provisions of Chapter 88, Laws of 1928, and Chapter 16, Laws of the Extraordinary Session of 1931, may settle and compromise any claim, debt, or obligation that said taxing districts or sinking funds may owe said county for money loaned said taxing districts or sinking funds under the provisions of said Chapter 88, Laws of 1928; and provided that the Governor, on the advice of the Attorney General, and upon application of a church owing a sixteenth section township school fund loan, may settle and compromise such debt or obligation if the board of supervisors of the said county concurs in the application of the said church. The Governor may, on the advice of the Attorney General, in like manner compromise and settle a claim of a drainage district for unpaid assessments or taxes upon sixteenth section lands upon application of the board of supervisors wherein such sixteenth section is situated, if the commissioners of the drainage district concur therein.

HISTORY: Codes, 1892, § 1573; 1906, § 1681; Hemingway’s 1917, § 1428; 1930, § 5996; 1942, § 4386; Laws, 1934, ch. 205; Laws, 1938, ch. 339; Laws, 1946, ch. 241, § 2; Laws, 1950, ch. 254, § 2; Laws, 1962, ch. 588, § 19, eff from and after Jan. 1, 1964.

§ 31-19-31. Bonds to the federal government for state hospitals.

Any bonds hereafter issued to the United States of America to finance in part the construction, erection, or equipment of any state hospital of the State of Mississippi, or any series, class, or installment of such bonds may bear interest at such rate or rates of interest not exceeding four per centum (4%) per annum and may be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium as the commission or officials authorized to issue such bonds may determine, notwithstanding that such bonds may be part of a series, class, or installment of bonds bearing a greater or less rate of interest, and notwithstanding that such bonds may be a part of any series, class, or installment containing other and different terms of redemption.

HISTORY: Codes, 1942, § 4384; Laws, 1934, ch. 145.

§ 31-19-33. Limitation of actions for payment of bonds and coupons.

Action against the state or any county, municipality, school district or political subdivision of the State of Mississippi for the payment of any bond issued thereby or for the payment of any coupon representing interest on such bond shall be commenced within twenty (20) years after the maturity date of such bond.

HISTORY: Laws, 1984, ch. 309, eff from and after passage (approved April 4, 1984).

§ 31-21-1. Citation of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Registered Bond Act.”

HISTORY: Laws, 1983, ch. 494, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved April 11, 1983).

§ 31-21-3. Definitions.

As used herein, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

“Act” means this Registered Bond Act;

“Bonds” means any bonds, interim certificates, notes or other evidences of indebtedness;

“Law” means any law or statute of this state, whether general, special, private or local;

“Political subdivision” means any county, municipality, governmental district or unit, instrumentality of the state, public corporation, body corporate, commission, board, agency, authority, public body, politic or other public entity authorized by any law to issue bonds; and

“State” means the State of Mississippi.

HISTORY: Laws, 1983, ch. 494, § 3, eff from and after passage (approved April 11, 1983).

§ 31-21-5. Additional powers granted in connection with issuance of bonds.

Notwithstanding any law or any provision of any law to the contrary, the following additional and supplemental powers and authorizations are hereby granted to the state and each political subdivision in connection with the issuance of any bonds:

Such bonds may be issued in fully registered or book-entry form;

All signatures and seals appearing on such bonds as required or permitted by law may be facsimile signatures and seals;

Such bonds may be made subject to such authentication, registration, transfer and payment provisions as shall be set forth in the proceedings authorizing such bonds and the same may be made in such manner as shall be provided in such proceedings;

The State Treasurer, the chancery clerk of the county or the chancery clerk of the county in which the political subdivision is located or has its principal office may act as registrar, paying agent, transfer agent, agent for the delivery and payment of such bonds, authenticating agent or otherwise, and the State Treasurer may collect a reasonable fee from the political subdivision for rendering such services;

Banks and trust companies located either within or without the state may be appointed to act as registrars, paying agents, transfer agents, depositories for safekeeping, agents for the delivery and payment of such bonds, authenticating agents or otherwise, and agreements may be entered into with such banks and trust companies with respect to such duties and payment therefor;

Any agreements to be entered into pursuant to paragraph (e) above may be negotiated without the necessity of competitive bids, and any payments to be made pursuant to such agreements may be made from the proceeds of the bonds to which such agreements apply or from any other moneys legally available therefor; and

All things may be done regarding the form, execution, authentication, transfer and payment of such bonds which may be helpful in assuring compliance with any federal law applicable to such bonds or the interest income thereon and in assuring that such bonds will be readily acceptable in the municipal bond market, provided the same is not inconsistent with the constitution of the state.

HISTORY: Laws, 1983, ch. 494, § 4; Laws, 1987, ch. 431, eff from and after October 1, 1987.