Mississippi House Bill HB299

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Failed: 2/22/23

Caption

Bonds; authorize issuance to assist Marshall County in improving Barringer Road for Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park access.

Impact

The bill establishes the '2023 Barringer Road Improvements Fund', which will be a designated special fund under the management of the State Treasurer. This separation from the General Fund implies that any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year will not return to the state's General Fund, and interest earned will likewise contribute to the fund's goals. By creating this fund and stipulating its use, the legislation seeks to enhance local infrastructure, potentially boosting both business accessibility and public safety in the vicinity.

Summary

House Bill 299 focuses on the authorization for the issuance of state general obligation bonds aimed specifically at assisting Marshall County, Mississippi, with financing improvements to Barringer Road. The motivation for these enhancements is to facilitate better traffic flow into and out of the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park, which is expected to promote economic development in the region. The act delineates a total bond issuance limit of $1.2 million, ensuring that the funds are utilized solely for these specified improvement projects.

Contention

While the bill's intent to improve local infrastructure may generally be supported, discussions surrounding the allocation of state funds for specific road projects may raise questions regarding transparency and accountability. Stakeholders may express concerns about how the funds will be monitored and whether such expenditures are the most effective use of state resources, especially in times of budget constraints. Critics might also argue for broader criteria for fund allocation that could address additional infrastructural needs throughout Mississippi.