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H. R. No. 169 *HR26/R2785* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Bell (65th), Newman
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 169
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY BE SOLD AND/OR 1
LEASED FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREATING VALUE WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE 2
LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AREA, AND 3
CONTRIBUTING TO THE TAX BASE OF THE CITY OF JACKSON. 4
WHEREAS, the Legislature hereby finds and determines that 5
Veterans Memorial Stadium has served the State of Mississippi for 6
decades as a venue for athletic and civic events; that the city of 7
Jackson needs to expand its property tax base; that the long-term 8
public interest is best served by requiring Jackson State 9
University to develop and maintain a stadium owned and operated by 10
the university, supported by private fundraising and state capital 11
participation subject to appropriation; and that the University of 12
Mississippi Medical Center has an institutional need for property 13
suitable for expansion and related public purposes; and 14
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Administration must be 15
authorized and directed to consult with the Board of Trustees of 16
the Institutions of Higher Learning, University of Mississippi 17
Medical Center, Jackson State University, and other relevant 18
agencies and organizations to develop a master plan for the 19
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highest and best use of the land owned by the State of Mississippi 20
and that is bordered by North State Street, East Woodrow Wilson 21
Avenue, North Mill Street, and Taylor Street, and it is necessary 22
that a report with specific and actionable recommendations be 23
presented to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and it is the 24
intent of the Legislature that the property will be sold and/or 25
leased for the benefit of creating value while also preserving the 26
local environment, promoting economic growth in the area, and 27
contributing to the tax base of the City of Jackson; and 28
WHEREAS, the report authorized by this resolution must 29
include recommendations for the construction of a multi-purpose 30
facility on or near the campus of Jackson State University, with a 31
minimum combined seating capacity of 30,000 for the university to 32
host sporting events, including football and soccer, and include 33
multi-year financial commitments from the State of Mississippi and 34
matching private contributions from the Jackson State University 35
Foundation; and 36
WHEREAS, the site of the stadium recommended by the report 37
shall be logistically suitable and economically feasible for the 38
construction of a stadium that serves the best interest of the 39
university's student population and the residents of the community 40
within its immediate and adjacent vicinities without causing undue 41
harm. 42
WHEREAS, prior to January 1, 2027, Jackson State University 43
must provide proof that funds from private, local and/or federal 44
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sources have been irrevocably dedicated for such purpose in an 45
amount not less than or equal to Fifty Million Dollars 46
($50,000,000.00). 47
WHEREAS, Jackson State University may allow a federal, state 48
or local governmental entity, or a public, private, commercial or 49
charitable entity to use, publish or advertise the entity's name 50
on stadium property, and furthermore, subject to approval by the 51
Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the 52
university may lease to any public, private, commercial or 53
charitable entity, for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, 54
naming rights for the stadium or property, including, but not 55
limited to, new construction, improvements, grounds and/or objects 56
located on property where the stadium is constructed in return for 57
consideration benefitting the university, and the lessee must pay 58
the cost of erecting, maintaining and removing signage related to 59
the property; and 60
WHEREAS, Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), or so 61
much of it as may be necessary, must be appropriated out of any 62
money in the State Treasury to the credit of the Capital Expense 63
Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of State 64
Institutions of Higher Learning to assist in paying the costs 65
associated with the report and associated activities: 66
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 67
OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby declare that 68
certain property be sold and/or leased for the benefit of creating 69
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ST: City of Jackson; declare that certain
property be sold and/or leased for the benefit
of creating value of.
value while also preserving the local environment, promoting 70
economic growth in the area, and contributing to the tax base of 71
the City of Jackson. 72
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 73
furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 74