SB 2856 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Local Governments Capital Improvements Revolving Loan Program; include any project MDA deems a capital improvement.

SB 2856 expands Mississippi's Local Governments Capital Improvements Revolving Loan Program by revising the definition of "capital improvements" to include any project the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) determines qualifies. This change directly affects counties and municipalities seeking loans for infrastructure, economic development, and community facilities like water systems, buildings, and recreational projects. The bill also extends until July 1, 2029, the MDA's authority to use interest earnings from the loan fund for its general operational support. The program provides low-interest loans, with rates set at 3% for certain projects and based on state bond rates for others.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Mississippi's Local Governments Capital Improvements Revolving Loan Program to expand what projects qualify for funding, clarify how certain funds can be used for the Mississippi Development Authority's operational support, and adjust interest rates on loans. The changes allow the Mississippi Development Authority to determine which projects count as capital improvements, extend the authority to use interest income for general MDA support, and establish a sunset date for this authority.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of eligible projects under the capital improvements program and modifies how certain loan fund monies can be utilized by the Mississippi Development Authority.
DEFINITION

Added a catch-all provision allowing the Mississippi Development Authority to determine any project as a capital improvement, expanding eligibility beyond the previously listed specific project types.

Added a new provision allowing interest-free loans through June 30, 2025 for a specific capital project related to a motion picture sound stage.

FISCAL

Extended the authority for the Mississippi Development Authority to use interest income from taxable bonds for the ordinary and necessary general support of the Authority, removing the previous limitation that prevented this use.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision requiring the expanded authority to use interest income for general MDA support to be repealed after July 1, 2029.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection requiring the State Auditor to audit counties or municipalities with loan payments in arrears and authorizing withholding of state reimbursements until payments are current.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 7, 2025

How they voted

49–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 7, 2025
D Democratic16
15 Yea 1 Nay
93% Yea
R Republican35
34 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred To Ways and Means;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To House
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
Referred To Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Josh Harkins
Josh Harkins
RRepublican
MS
20