Read the full stored bill text
S. B. No. 2880 *SS36/R1008* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R1008
PAGE 1 (icj\tb)
To: Finance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Williams
SENATE BILL NO. 2880
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-501, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO REVISE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH GRANT MONIES FROM THE ECONOMIC 2
DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND MAY BE USED IN RELATION TO 3
INCREASING COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 57-1-501, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
57-1-501. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a 8
special fund to be designated as the "Economic Development and 9
Infrastructure Fund." The special fund shall consist of monies 10
deposited into the fund from any source that is designated for 11
deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund 12
at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General 13
Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in 14
the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in 15
the fund shall be used by the Mississippi Development Authority 16
for the purposes authorized in subsection (2) of this section. 17
(2) (a) The Mississippi Development Authority shall 18
establish a program to provide grants: 19
S. B. No. 2880 *SS36/R1008* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1008
PAGE 2 (icj\tb)
(i) To assist with construction and repair of 20
infrastructure in counties in this state where legal gaming is 21
being conducted or is authorized and for structures designed to 22
promote the gaming and entertainment industry in such 23
counties * * *; and 24
(ii) To aid in increasing commercial air service 25
at existing commercial service airports * * * in this state * * *, 26
including any existing Federal Aviation 27
Administration-certificated Part 139 commercial service airport 28
within this state, by offering to assist Part 121 air carriers 29
through * * * air service development methods * * *, including 30
revenue guaranty, seat guaranty, seat cost mitigation, ground 31
handling * * *, marketing and other incentive or risk-mitigation 32
mechanisms authorized by rule, for the purpose of initiating, 33
sustaining or expanding new direct or nonstop commercial air 34
service that supports economic development, workforce access, 35
tourism, business retention and business recruitment within the 36
metropolitan area and the surrounding region. Funding for the 37
purposes in this subparagraph (ii) shall be provided through a 38
separate appropriation from the Legislature. 39
(b) The Mississippi Development Authority shall 40
establish a procedure for accepting and reviewing applications for 41
grants under this section, including consideration of the 42
anticipated economic development impact to the municipal area, 43
regional connectivity, and return on investment to the state. 44
S. B. No. 2880 *SS36/R1008* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1008
PAGE 3 (icj\tb)
ST: Economic Development and Infrastructure
Fund; revise provisions related to increasing
commercial air service.
(c) If funds are available in the fund created under 45
this section, not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand 46
Dollars ($2,500,000.00) shall be used annually for grants provided 47
for under paragraph (a)(ii) of this subsection (2). Thereafter, 48
the funds may be used for grants provided for under paragraph 49
(a)(i) of this subsection (2). 50
(3) The Mississippi Development Authority shall have all 51
powers necessary to implement and administer the program 52
established under this section, and the Mississippi Development 53
Authority shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance 54
with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for 55
the implementation of this section. 56
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 57
and after its passage. 58