Mississippi House Bill HB1388

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

MDA FY22 appropriations from Gulf Coast Restoration Fund; revise those made to the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1388 will significantly affect the fiscal operations of the MDA by reallocating already allocated funds to different projects within Hancock County. This adjustment aims to enhance local economic development initiatives by providing the necessary financial backing to proceed with the Technology Park. The changes made by this bill serve to emphasize the state's ongoing efforts to promote development in the Gulf region, particularly in the wake of the ongoing recovery strategy following the impacts of environmental disasters.

Summary

House Bill 1388 proposes amendments to the appropriations made to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) for the fiscal year 2022. The bill specifically seeks to increase the amount allocated from the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund to support the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission in the development of the Technology Park at Stennis Airport, Phase I. In addition to this increase, the bill also outlines the reallocation of funds that were previously earmarked for other projects under the MDA’s jurisdiction, such as the assault landing strip and the multiuser aero strip at Stennis Airport.

Contention

While this bill was designed to bolster development in Hancock County, potential contention may arise concerning the prioritization of funding. Critics may argue that reallocating funds from other projects could hinder those initiatives, causing delays in their completion or reduction in the available resources for re-prioritized projects. Concerns about accountability and transparency regarding how state funds are being utilized and diverted could also surface, particularly in communities awaiting the impact of other proposed projects that have had their funding adjusted.