AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 61-5-93, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AIRPORT AUTHORITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHO OWN OR OPERATE AIRPORTS TO CONTRACT WITH COMPANIES FOR FINANCING, DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, OPERATING, OR MAINTAINING OF AIRPORT FACILITIES IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROVIDED FOR TOLL ROADS OR TOLL BRIDGES PURSUANT TO SECTION 65-43-3 THROUGH A LEASE OF AIRPORT PROPERTY OR OTHER CONTRACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS AN ADDITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR THE PURCHASING, BUILDING, IMPROVING, OWNING OR OPERATING OF AIRPORT FACILITIES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES; TO PROVIDE THAT POWERS CONFERRED BY THIS SECTION SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS CONFERRED BY ANY OTHER GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT FROM BIDDING REQUIREMENTS FACILITIES LEASED OR CONTRACTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 61-5-93; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
SB 2618 creates a new Mississippi Code section authorizing airport authorities, municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities that own or operate airports to enter into contracts with private companies for financing, designing, constructing, operating, or maintaining airport facilities. The bill allows these arrangements to be structured through leases of airport property or other contracts, and it states that this authority is an additional and alternative method for acquiring, building, improving, owning, or operating airport facilities, rather than a replacement for existing powers.
The bill also amends the state’s public purchasing law to exempt airport facilities leased or contracted under the new airport authority section from the normal competitive bidding requirements. In effect, airport-related public-private arrangements authorized by the bill would be treated similarly to certain toll road and toll bridge projects, giving local airport owners more flexibility to use negotiated or alternative procurement methods. The bill is set to take effect July 1, 2026, and the text also includes a repeal date of June 30, 2026, which appears internally inconsistent in the bill text as provided.
SB 2618 would expand the statutory powers of airport authorities and other public airport owners by adding a specific authorization for public-private contracting over airport facilities. It would also amend Section 31-7-13 to carve out airport facilities covered by the new section from Mississippi’s general bidding rules, meaning those projects could proceed without the standard competitive bid process that applies to most public purchases and construction contracts. The bill would therefore affect airport authorities, municipalities, counties, contractors, and developers involved in airport infrastructure projects, while leaving the rest of the state procurement framework intact except for this new exemption.
No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears designed to be a technical and enabling procurement change aimed at giving local governments more flexibility to finance and manage airport projects. The absence of recorded discussion makes it difficult to identify any formal sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent policy goal of encouraging airport development through alternative contracting methods.
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s exemption of airport facility contracts from ordinary competitive bidding requirements. Supporters would likely view that flexibility as a way to speed financing and development, attract private investment, and allow airports to use public-private partnerships more efficiently. Opponents, if any, would likely focus on reduced bid competition, less transparency, and the possibility that airport property leases or contracts could be awarded without the safeguards normally required for public construction and procurement. The bill text itself does not show any specific objections, amendments, or negotiated compromises beyond the procurement exemption.