Mississippi House Bill HB574

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/22
• Refer: 1/13/22
• Failed: 2/23/22

Caption

Bonds; create small municipalities security cameras and equipment grant program and authorize bonds to provide funds.

Impact

The legislation allocates up to $5 million in state general obligation bonds to support this initiative. Each small municipality can apply for grants covering up to 75% of their project costs, with a maximum annual funding limit of $30,000. The Department of Public Safety is tasked with administering the grant program, which is set to be operational from July 1, 2022. The funds will be used specifically for security cameras and monitoring equipment, which may improve the overall safety and security measures in these towns.

Summary

House Bill 574 establishes a grant program aimed at assisting small municipalities in Mississippi with the acquisition and installation of security cameras and related equipment. The bill specifically targets municipalities with populations of 5,000 or less and creates a special fund within the State Treasury designated as the 'Small Municipalities Security Cameras and Equipment Fund.' This program is envisioned to enhance public safety by enabling smaller municipalities to better monitor and secure their communities through funding for surveillance technology.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, there are potential points of contention surrounding the bill. Discussions might focus on the adequacy of funds, the bureaucratic burden on small municipalities in applying for grants, and the implications of increased surveillance on citizens' privacy rights. Additionally, the reliance on state bonds raises questions about long-term funding sustainability and the fiscal responsibilities municipalities may face in the future as they commit to ongoing maintenance and operational costs associated with such equipment.