Bill Text: MS HR169 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: City of Jackson; declare that certain property be sold and/or leased for the benefit of creating value of.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2026-04-15 - Died On Calendar [HR169 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HR169-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Bell (65th), Newman
House Resolution 169
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY BE SOLD AND/OR LEASED FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREATING VALUE WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AREA, AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE TAX BASE OF THE CITY OF JACKSON.
WHEREAS, the Legislature hereby finds and determines that Veterans Memorial Stadium has served the State of Mississippi for decades as a venue for athletic and civic events; that the city of Jackson needs to expand its property tax base; that the long-term public interest is best served by requiring Jackson State University to develop and maintain a stadium owned and operated by the university, supported by private fundraising and state capital participation subject to appropriation; and that the University of Mississippi Medical Center has an institutional need for property suitable for expansion and related public purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Administration must be authorized and directed to consult with the Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, and other relevant agencies and organizations to develop a master plan for the highest and best use of the land owned by the State of Mississippi and that is bordered by North State Street, East Woodrow Wilson Avenue, North Mill Street, and Taylor Street, and it is necessary that a report with specific and actionable recommendations be presented to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the property will be sold and/or leased for the benefit of creating value while also preserving the local environment, promoting economic growth in the area, and contributing to the tax base of the City of Jackson; and
WHEREAS, the report authorized by this resolution must include recommendations for the construction of a multi-purpose facility on or near the campus of Jackson State University, with a minimum combined seating capacity of 30,000 for the university to host sporting events, including football and soccer, and include multi-year financial commitments from the State of Mississippi and matching private contributions from the Jackson State University Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the site of the stadium recommended by the report shall be logistically suitable and economically feasible for the construction of a stadium that serves the best interest of the university's student population and the residents of the community within its immediate and adjacent vicinities without causing undue harm.
WHEREAS, prior to January 1, 2027, Jackson State University must provide proof that funds from private, local and/or federal sources have been irrevocably dedicated for such purpose in an amount not less than or equal to Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).
WHEREAS, Jackson State University may allow a federal, state or local governmental entity, or a public, private, commercial or charitable entity to use, publish or advertise the entity's name on stadium property, and furthermore, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the university may lease to any public, private, commercial or charitable entity, for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, naming rights for the stadium or property, including, but not limited to, new construction, improvements, grounds and/or objects located on property where the stadium is constructed in return for consideration benefitting the university, and the lessee must pay the cost of erecting, maintaining and removing signage related to the property; and
WHEREAS, Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), or so much of it as may be necessary, must be appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the Capital Expense Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to assist in paying the costs associated with the report and associated activities:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby declare that certain property be sold and/or leased for the benefit of creating value while also preserving the local environment, promoting economic growth in the area, and contributing to the tax base of the City of Jackson.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
