HB 642 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

Construction of prefabricated buildings; authorize procurement and construction of at Alcorn State University.

HB 642 authorizes Alcorn State University to build prefabricated (factory-built) structures on its campus, directly affecting the university and its campus development. The bill requires all such buildings to meet Mississippi’s building codes, safety standards, and campus aesthetic guidelines, and mandates approval from the Board of Trustees and the Department of Finance and Administration before construction. Funding can come from state appropriations, federal grants, or private donations, with the university required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing construction costs and benefits. This bill does not change existing laws broadly but adds specific oversight and reporting requirements for Alcorn’s prefab building projects.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Jan 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to authorize Alcorn State University to construct prefabricated buildings on campus, requiring oversight by the Department of Finance and Administration and approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The bill also updated state procurement laws to include new bidding procedures, emergency purchase provisions, and expanded exceptions for various purchases. These changes aim to modernize construction methods while maintaining accountability and cost-effectiveness.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a simple authorization for Alcorn State University to include comprehensive updates to state procurement regulations applicable to all state agencies and governing authorities.

SCOPE

Added authority for Alcorn State University to design, procure, and construct prefabricated buildings on campus with oversight from the Department of Finance and Administration.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that all prefabricated buildings must adhere to state building codes, align with campus architectural style, and meet safety standards.

Modified bidding procedures to include reverse auctions as the primary method for receiving bids over $75,000, with exceptions for certain projects.

Added emergency purchase procedures allowing agencies to bypass competitive bidding requirements during emergencies threatening health, safety, or property.

Added expanded exceptions from bidding requirements for various purchases including IT products, library materials, and specific construction projects.

FISCAL

Added provision allowing the university to use various funding sources including appropriated funds, federal grants, private donations, and other lawful sources.

TIMELINE

Modified effective date to July 1, 2025, with some provisions standing repealed or amended as of that date.

Floor votes · House Jan 28, 2025

How they voted

118–1

Passed

Total votes 119

Jan 28, 2025

D Democratic39

38 Yea 1 Nay

97% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican78

78 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Referred To Universities and Colleges;Appropriations

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Jan 15, 2025

Committee

Referred To Universities and Colleges

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors