1. MISSISSIPPI AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION 2017 Legislative Report

2. 2017 Legislative Session Notes
Not many bills passed
A lot of last minute negotiating during conference with mixed results
No appropriation bill for the Mississippi Department of Transportation
Question as to amount that will be available to the Multi-Modal Fund
Senate Bill 2952 repealing the ad valorem tax exemption for airport leases did not pass

3. Bills Signed into Law House Bill 865
This bill eliminates the sunset provision in Miss. Code Ann. § which requires painting of anemometer towers greater than 50 feet in height in aviation orange and white

4. Bills Signed into Law HB 1106
Local governments must allow electronic submission of bids
Does not address issues such as bid bonds
Following entities are exempt:
Counties with a population of less than 20,000
Cities with a population less than 10,000
Areas lacking high speed internet services
Adds a requirement for state agencies to use an electronic reverse auction process
Effective January 1, 2018

5. Bills Signed into Law House Bill 1116
Any governmental entity with a website must post notice of each called special meeting on its site not less than one hour prior to the meeting
The governmental entity must each interested person, news organization, etc. notice of the special meeting not less than one hour prior to the meeting
The governmental entity may purge its list of recipients not more than once each 24 months

6. Bills Signed into Law HB 1330
Abolishes, among others, the Mississippi Wayport Authority

7. Bills Signed into Law HB 1333
Modifies the Mississippi Air Service Development Grant Program to allow grants for seasonal air service
Seasonal air service is defined as service lasting more than two months but less than 12 months
Grant funds for seasonal air service are only released by the Mississippi Development Authority at the conclusion of the seasonal service

8. Bills Signed into Law SB 2354 "Oops Bill"
Adds definitions inadvertently deleted by Legislature in 2016
Definitions added back include:
Commodities
Emergency
Equipment
Public Funds
Purchase
Effective upon passage

9. Bills Signed into Law Senate Bill 2448
Broadens the definition of "local governments" that may participate in Regional Economic Development Alliances to include airports
Allows airports to officially participate with other governmental entities on economic development activities
NOTE: Airports are still subject to limits on expenditures for "general economic development" under the FAA's Revenue Diversion Rule

10. Bills Signed into Law Senate Bill 3033
Creates, among other things, a site development grant fund administered by Mississippi Development Authority
Provides funds to make site improvements for industrial development

11. D. Jeffrey Wagner
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
One Eastover Center
100 Vision Drive, Suite 400
Jackson, MS 39211
Telephone: (601)
Facsimile: (601)