DFA; authorize to purchase certain real property known as the "East Hamilton Street Properties" in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
Summary
HB 556 authorizes the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to purchase three specified parcels of real property on East Hamilton Street in Jackson, within the Capitol Complex area. The bill identifies the properties by street address and detailed legal description, covering parcels at 303, 323, and 337 East Hamilton Street. It also allows DFA to acquire any improvements on the land and to negotiate related closing costs.
The purchase price is capped at the properties’ current fair market value, which must be established by the average of two appraisals from qualified, certified, and licensed appraisers, with at least one appraiser selected by DFA. The bill further permits DFA to correct any discrepancies in the legal descriptions and requires that the acquired property be used exclusively for state office space and parking purposes. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.
Impact
HB 556 would amend state authority by specifically empowering DFA to acquire identified private real estate in downtown Jackson for public use. It creates a narrow, property-specific authorization rather than a broad change to general procurement or eminent domain law, and it sets procedural safeguards for valuation, appraisal, and closing costs. The bill directly affects the listed property owners and any parties involved in the sale, while also expanding the state’s office and parking footprint in the Capitol Complex area.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received strong bipartisan support overall. It passed the House 111-5, the Senate 49-1, and then the House concurred in the Senate amendment unanimously 120-0. Those vote totals suggest broad agreement that the acquisition was appropriate and noncontroversial at the final stages, even though a small number of members opposed it in the earlier chambers.
Contention
No committee transcript is available, so specific arguments for or against the bill are not recorded in the provided materials. The only visible points of potential concern are the state’s purchase of real property in Jackson, the use of public funds for acquisition, and the need to ensure fair market value through appraisals. The narrow opposition reflected in the House and Senate votes suggests any objections were limited and did not prevent final passage.