Bond; authorize issuance to assist Hinds County with constructing building for a new fire station for Byram Volunteer Fire Department in House District 66.
Summary
House Bill 1883 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue up to $650,000 in general obligation bonds to help Hinds County pay for constructing a building for a new fire station for the Byram Volunteer Fire Department. The project is specifically tied to a site at Midway Road and Owens Road in House District 66, and the bill creates a dedicated special fund in the State Treasury to receive and disburse the bond proceeds for that purpose.
The bill sets out the standard terms for state general obligation bonds, including maturity of up to 25 years, sale and issuance by the State Bond Commission, and repayment backed by the full faith and credit of the state. It also provides that any unspent money in the special fund does not lapse to the General Fund and may be used for debt service if the project is completed, abandoned, or cannot be completed in a timely manner. The act would take effect July 1, 2025, and no bonds may be issued after July 1, 2029.
Impact
HB1883 would add a new state bond authorization and create a new special fund in the State Treasury for a local public safety capital project in Hinds County. It does not amend existing program statutes broadly, but it does invoke the State Bond Commission and Department of Finance and Administration to manage issuance, sale, and repayment of the bonds under Mississippi bond law. The bill would also make the bonds tax-exempt in Mississippi and legal investments for certain fiduciaries and public entities, while pledging the state’s full faith and credit for repayment.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be a routine local infrastructure financing bill rather than a controversial policy proposal. Its purpose is narrowly focused on supporting a volunteer fire department facility, which typically tends to draw practical, local support because it addresses emergency services and public safety needs. No recorded opposition, amendments, or divided vote history is provided in the materials.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential areas of legislative scrutiny, based on the bill itself, could include the use of state general obligation debt for a local project, the size of the authorization relative to the project, and the fact that repayment is backed by the state’s full faith and credit. However, the available record does not show any stated objections from legislators, local officials, or other stakeholders.