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To: Accountability,
Efficiency, Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Scott
HOUSE BILL NO. 198
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MDA) TO CONDUCT AN 2
ANNUAL STUDY AND PROVIDE A LEGISLATIVE REPORT THAT IDENTIFIES THE 3
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITIONS AND NEEDS OF CERTAIN COUNTIES 4
WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGES OF POVERTY WITHIN THE STATE; TO 5
REQUIRE MDA TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO SUCH COUNTIES TO 6
ASSIST THE COUNTIES IN IMPROVING THEIR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURES; AND 7
FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 9
SECTION 1. Section 57-1-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 10
amended as follows: 11
57-1-55. (1) The Mississippi Development Authority shall 12
have the following general powers and duties: To develop and 13
manage programs which enhance the climate for economic growth 14
through assistance to private sector businesses, local communities 15
and individuals, and through an extensive national and 16
international marketing effort. 17
(2) The Mississippi Development Authority shall have the 18
following general powers and duties with respect to economic 19
development: 20
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(a) To plan, supervise and direct an active program of 21
solicitation of industries to locate within the state; 22
(b) To prepare, maintain and disseminate information 23
which is needed by companies in evaluating site locations; 24
(c) To consult with, advise and assist prospective 25
industries wishing to locate within the state; 26
(d) To encourage new or expanding industries, which 27
will add to the economy, to locate within the state; 28
(e) To maintain a coordinated liaison function with 29
other development groups, including state and federal agencies, 30
and planning and development districts, utility companies, 31
chambers of commerce and railroads; 32
(f) To assist communities and counties within the state 33
in preparation for economic growth; 34
(g) To assist new and existing business and industry 35
and encourage their development and expansion; 36
(h) To plan and conduct a nationwide advertising 37
program promoting the state to prospective industry. Any contract 38
entered into for such purposes shall be advertised, bid and 39
accepted in accordance with the same procedure as prescribed for 40
the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the purchase of 41
commodities and contracts for public purchases under Chapter 7, 42
Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972; 43
(i) To work with economic development agencies of the 44
federal government in areas of industrial development and provide 45
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information to industrial prospects regarding the availability of 46
federal funds and assistance; 47
(j) To work with the Department of Corrections, 48
pursuant to the provisions of Section 47-5-501 et seq., in 49
identifying and evaluating acceptable industries and businesses 50
and in acting as an agent of the Department of Corrections by 51
communicating with such concerns and aggressively soliciting their 52
participation in the Correctional Industries Work Program; 53
(k) To perform related work as required; 54
(l) To disseminate information about financial and 55
other programs of the Mississippi Development Authority that will 56
assist in the creation or expansion of industries processing wood 57
products in this state; 58
(m) To market processed and raw agricultural products 59
domestically and abroad; 60
(n) To aid in the establishment of business incubation 61
centers by private business interests, not-for-profit 62
corporations, and/or governmental entities. The department may 63
provide funds by contract for the establishment of business 64
incubation centers and may contract for space in which business 65
incubation centers will be located. Business incubation centers 66
are defined as facilities and support services that encourage the 67
establishment of successful small businesses by providing a 68
short-term sheltered environment. The department may solicit and 69
accept grants and other financial aid or support from private or 70
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public sources to aid in the development of business incubation 71
centers. In addition, advice and assistance to established 72
business incubation centers may be provided by the department; 73
(o) To employ licensed real estate brokers and 74
appraisers necessary for the industrial development of any real 75
estate under the ownership or control of the Mississippi 76
Development Authority. Any contract entered into for such 77
purposes shall be advertised, bid and accepted in accordance with 78
the same procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and 79
acceptance of bids for the purchase of commodities and contracts 80
for public purchases under Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code 81
of 1972; * * * 82
(p) * * * To establish, administer, manage, make 83
expenditures and allocations from the Forestry Facility Grant 84
Program under the provisions of Section 57-1-781 * * *; and 85
(q) To study and identify annually the pubic 86
infrastructure needs of the twenty (20) counties with the highest 87
percentages of poverty within the state and to report to the 88
Legislature regarding its findings by December 31 of each year. 89
In addition, the counties described in this paragraph shall be 90
given guidance and assistance by the Mississippi Development 91
Authority in seeking loans, grants and other financial assistance 92
from federal and state sources to assist such counties to improve 93
the public infrastructures. 94
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ST: Mississippi Development Authority; require
to conduct review of infrastructures in counties
with high rates of poverty.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 95
and after July 1, 2026. 96