Mississippi House Bill HB984

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/23/22

Caption

Bonds; authorize issuance to assist the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority with purchasing fire service equipment.

Impact

The bill creates a special fund known as the '2022 Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Fire Service Equipment Fund' within the state treasury. This fund is specifically allocated for the purchase of the fire service equipment and ensures that any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year do not revert to the general fund but remain within the designated account. This mechanism aims to streamline the financial processes associated with disaster management and promote efficient use of allocated resources.

Summary

House Bill 984 authorizes the issuance of up to $2.5 million in general obligation bonds by the state of Mississippi. The funds generated from these bonds are designated to assist the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority in purchasing specialized fire service equipment intended to combat aeronautical incidents. This initiative reflects the state's commitment to enhancing safety measures at airports, particularly at Hawkins Field in Jackson, where the equipment will be housed.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 984 could stem from concerns about the state's commitment to funding these projects and the implications for future budget allocations. With the funds being categorized as general obligation bonds, the full faith and credit of the state is pledged for their repayment, posing potential fiscal challenges. Legislators may debate the wisdom of incurring debt for this specific purpose, weighing public safety benefits against the costs that taxpayers will bear if revenues fall short in the future.