Bill Text: MS SB2542 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Appropriation FY2020; Gulf Coast Restoration Fund for Southern Rail Commission.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2019-02-27 - Died In Committee [SB2542 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-SB2542-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Wiggins
Senate Bill 2542
AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF SPECIAL FUNDS TO THE GULF COAST RAIL PROJECT, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund to the credit of the Mississippi Development Authority, to be further distributed to the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Southern Rail Commission in the manner prescribed by this act, for the purpose of executing the Gulf Coast Rail project for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, and ending
June 30, 2020................................... $ 4,696,500.00.
SECTION 2. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Gulf Coast Passenger and Freight Rail project will restore passenger rail service along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and make necessary improvements to freight rail service.
SECTION 3. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Gulf Coast Rail Project is deemed eligible for assistance by the Mississippi Development Authority under the provisions of Section 27103302, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended by Senate Bill 2002 2018 Mississippi legislative session.
SECTION 4. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Development Authority shall enter into a contract with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Southern Rail Commission to provide assistance for executing the Gulf Coast Rail Project, as defined in Section 8 of Senate Bill 2002.
SECTION 5. It is the intention of the Legislature that any contract between the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Southern Rail Commission shall designate the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Southern Rail Commission as the organizations responsible for overseeing, managing and executing the Gulf Coast Rail Project.
SECTION 6. Of the funds provided under the provisions of this act, an amount of Four Million Five Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars ($4,539,333.00) shall be allocated to the Mississippi Department of Transportation to defray the expense of carrying out the Gulf Coast Rail Project.
SECTION 7. Of the funds provided under the provisions of this act, an amount of One Hundred Ten Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Seven Dollars ($110,667.00) shall be allocated to the Southern Rail Commission to defray the expense of managing the Gulf Coast Rail Project.
SECTION 8. Of the funds provided under the provisions of this act, an amount not to exceed Forty-Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($46,500.00) shall be allocated to the Mississippi Development Authority to defray the administration expenses of providing technical assistance for the Gulf Coast Project.
SECTION 9. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Development Authority shall use the allocated funds under this act to offset administrative expenses associated with the Gulf Coast Rail Project and shall not seek additional cost recovery from the applicants.
SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that the funds appropriated by this act shall be expended as non-federal matching funds for a grant from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program.
SECTION 11. It is the intention of the Legislature that funds appropriated under this act are considered to be an initial investment in a project, which will require a total investment from the State of Mississippi of Thirteen Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($13,950,000.00) as non-federal matching funds for a grant from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program. Therefore, it is the intention of the legislature to commit the remaining necessary funds in future fiscal years.
SECTION 12. The Gulf Coast Project is of significant state and regional importance and will contribute to the economic vitality and recovery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Therefore, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Development Authority, and the Southern Rail Commission shall present to the legislature a request for any additional resources necessary to execute the Gulf Coast Rail project in full. It is the intention of the Legislature that this project be fully completed.
SECTION 13. The money herein approved for expenditure shall be disbursed out of any money in the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund upon bank checks signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 14. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.
