Mississippi House Bill HB1453

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 2/22/23

Caption

Appropriation; DFA for distribution to counties and municipalities for water/sewer infrastructure projects authorized under ARPA.

Impact

The funds appropriated under HB1453 will be allocated based on an equitable formula developed by the Department of Finance and Administration. Notably, $600 million of this amount will be focused on metropolitan cities and local governments identified as having the greatest need for these funds. The bill mandates that receiving entities must also contribute matching funds from their own resources for eligible water or sewer projects, underscoring a collaborative effort between state and local entities for infrastructure enhancement.

Summary

House Bill 1453 aims to appropriate $900 million from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund for the Department of Finance and Administration to distribute to counties, metropolitan cities, and nonentitlement units of local government. This funding is specifically designated for water and sewer infrastructure projects authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024. The bill highlights a commitment to improving essential infrastructure amidst ongoing recovery from the pandemic's economic impacts.

Contention

A significant aspect of the bill includes provisions that ensure careful monitoring and compliance with federal guidelines regarding the use of ARPA funds. The Department of Finance and Administration is tasked with verifying that expenditures are necessary and complying with specific federal requirements. This introduces a level of scrutiny and accountability aimed at preventing misuse of funds, thus addressing concerns about fiscal responsibility and adherence to set federal standards. Critics could argue that such conditions might complicate access to funds for some smaller municipalities, which may struggle to meet the matching requirements or documentation standards.