Mississippi House Bill HB164

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/23
• Refer: 1/4/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Legislative Public Project Grant Program; create.

Impact

This bill is significant as it empowers individual legislators to actively facilitate community development within their respective districts. By allocating funding for specific public projects, HB164 encourages investment in local initiatives, which may lead to improved infrastructure and community resources. The distribution method, wherein funds are directed to the county for project execution, also aims to engage local government and agencies more closely in public service delivery.

Summary

House Bill 164 establishes the Legislative Public Project Grant Program, aimed at providing funding for public projects within legislative districts in Mississippi. This program will be administered by the Community Services Division of the Mississippi Development Authority, enabling each legislator to award annual grants of up to $25,000 for local projects. The legislation outlines a structured application process and criteria for awarding these grants, ensuring that funds are allocated in a consistent manner across the state.

Contention

While the intent of the bill seems to foster legislative support for grassroots projects, points of contention may arise regarding the potential for unequal distribution of funds. Critics may argue that allowing individual legislators to decide on grant allocations could lead to favoritism or discrepancies in project prioritization across different districts. Additionally, concerns may be expressed regarding the longevity of such funding and its impacts post the planned repeal date of July 1, 2026, which necessitates reconsideration of long-term community planning and dependence on these grants.