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S. B. No. 2759 *SS08/R1016* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R1016
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To: Economic and Workforce
Development
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Williams
SENATE BILL NO. 2759
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-501, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO AMEND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TO ALLOW 2
MONIES IN THE FUND TO BE USED TO AID EXISTING FEDERAL AVIATION 3
ADMINISTRATION-CERTIFICATED PART 139 COMMERCIAL SERVICE AIRPORTS 4
IN THE STATE; TO REMOVE A PROVISION CONCERNING COUNTIES IN WHICH 5
LEGAL GAMING IS BEING CONDUCTED OR IS AUTHORIZED; TO AUTHORIZE 6
CERTAIN AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT METHODS; TO AUTHORIZE ACTION FOR 7
PURPOSES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE ACCESS, TOURISM, 8
BUSINESS RETENTION, AND BUSINESS RECRUITMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT 9
GRANTS SHALL BE FUNDED THROUGH A SEPARATE APPROPRIATION FROM THE 10
LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 11
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 12
SECTION 1. Section 57-1-501, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 13
amended as follows: 14
57-1-501. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a 15
special fund to be designated as the "Economic Development and 16
Infrastructure Fund." The special fund shall consist of monies 17
deposited into the fund from any source that is designated for 18
deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund 19
at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General 20
Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in 21
the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in 22
S. B. No. 2759 *SS08/R1016* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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the fund shall be used by the Mississippi Development Authority 23
for the purposes authorized in subsection (2) of this section. 24
(2) (a) The Mississippi Development Authority shall 25
establish a program to provide grants: 26
(i) To assist with construction and repair of 27
infrastructure in counties in this state where legal gaming is 28
being conducted or is authorized and for structures designed to 29
promote the gaming and entertainment industry in such 30
counties * * *; and 31
(ii) To aid in increasing commercial air service 32
at existing commercial service airports in counties in this 33
state * * *, including any existing Federal Aviation 34
Administration-certificated Part 139 commercial service airport 35
within the State of Mississippi, by offering to assist Part 121 36
air carriers through * * * air service development methods * * *, 37
including revenue guaranty, seat guaranty, seat cost mitigation, 38
ground handling * * *, marketing and other incentive or 39
risk-mitigation mechanisms authorized by rule, for the purpose of 40
initiating, sustaining, or expanding new direct or nonstop 41
commercial air service that supports economic development, 42
workforce access, tourism, business retention, and business 43
recruitment within the metropolitan area and the surrounding 44
region. Grants under this subparagraph (ii) shall be funded 45
through a separate appropriation from the Legislature. 46
S. B. No. 2759 *SS08/R1016* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Economic Development and Infrastructure
Fund; amend.
(b) The Mississippi Development Authority shall 47
establish * * * procedures for accepting * * *, evaluating and 48
approving applications for grants under this section, including 49
consideration of the anticipated economic development impact to 50
the municipal area, regional connectivity, and return on 51
investment to the state. 52
(c) If funds are available in the fund created under 53
this section, not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand 54
Dollars ($2,500,000.00) shall be used annually for grants provided 55
for under paragraph (a)(ii) of this subsection (2). Thereafter, 56
the remaining funds may be used for grants provided for under 57
paragraph (a)(i) of this subsection (2). 58
(3) The Mississippi Development Authority shall have all 59
powers necessary to implement and administer the program 60
established under this section, and the Mississippi Development 61
Authority shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance 62
with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for 63
the implementation of this section. 64
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 65
and after its passage. 66