Senate Bill 2996

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE SPECIAL FUND DESIGNATED AS THE "2022 LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS FUND" TO THE SCENIC RIVERS DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE FOR CERTAIN PARK UPGRADES IN WALTHALL COUNTY, PIKE COUNTY, AMITE COUNTY, FRANKLIN COUNTY AND WILKINSON COUNTY AND TO THE SUMMIT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION FOR THE STAND PIPE PROJECT, WHICH FUNDS WERE VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HOUSE BILL NO. 1353 (2022 REGULAR SESSION) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

SECTION 1. (1) The following sum of money, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of the "2022 Local Improvements Projects Fund" created in Section 27-104-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance for certain park upgrades in Walthall County, Pike County, Amite County, Franklin County and Wilkinson County, Mississippi, as more particularly described in subsection (2) of this section, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and

ending June 30, 2024............................... $1,820,000.00

(2) The necessary upgrades authorized for expenditure are for facility/park equipment, parking/road repairs, building repairs, site development, river/lake access, erosion control/repairs, utility repairs, seating improvements, and other facility related upgrades at the following locations: (a) Walthall County (Lake, Walthall, Walthall County Outdoors Complex, Walker's Bridge Park); (b) Pike County (Bogue Chitto Water Park, Gibson Road Natural Area); Amite County (Ethel Vance Park, Liberty Town Fields, Historical/Tourism Sites); (c) Franklin County (Town Park, Scenic Rivers Welcome Center, Okhissa Lake Park); (d) Wilkinson County (Lake Mary & Fosters Lake Access and Ramps, Indian Mound Sites, Wilkinson County Park, Percy Creek Sites). It is the intention of the Legislature that in order to qualify for funding, each of the five (5) county members of the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance shall have pledged funding for the ongoing maintenance, operation and administrative costs of these facilities and sites.

(3) The following sum of money, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of the "2022 Local Improvements Projects Fund" created in Section 27-104-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the Summit Community Development Foundation to pay the costs associated with the Stand Pipe project, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and

ending June 30, 2024................................. $250,000.00

(4) The appropriations authorized in this act are intended to replace those funds which were vetoed by the Governor in House Bill No. 1353 (2022 Regular Session).

SECTION 2. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the "2022 Local Improvements Projects Fund" to the credit of the proper entity or entities as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, office or officers, in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.