AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 940, LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAWS OF 2022, TO EXTEND THE REPEAL DATE ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO THE FRIENDS OF ARTS, CULTURE AND EDUCATION (F.A.C.E.); AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Summary
SB 3406 amends a 2022 local and private law affecting Jackson County, Mississippi, to extend the sunset date on the county’s authority to make annual contributions to the Friends of Arts, Culture and Education (F.A.C.E.). Under the bill, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors may continue, at its discretion, to contribute up to $5,000 per year from available county funds to F.A.C.E., a nonprofit organization described as promoting the arts in the county and surrounding community.
The bill does not create a new program or increase the authorized funding amount; it simply extends the repeal date for the existing authority from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. As a local and private act, its legal effect is limited to Jackson County and the named nonprofit, and it preserves the county’s ability to support arts and cultural programming through this discretionary contribution mechanism.
Impact
SB 3406 amends Chapter 940 of the Local and Private Laws of 2022 by changing the sunset provision for Jackson County’s authority to provide annual funding to F.A.C.E. The bill keeps in place the county board’s discretionary power to allocate up to $5,000 from available county funds to the nonprofit, while extending that authority for four additional years. Its practical impact is limited to Jackson County government budgeting and the continued eligibility of F.A.C.E. to receive county support under the local act.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little controversy. It passed the Senate 51-0 and the House 114-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The absence of committee transcript discussion also suggests the measure was viewed as routine and noncontroversial, likely because it simply extends an existing local funding authority without changing the amount or expanding the scope of the program.
Contention
No notable opposition is reflected in the available record. Because the bill only extends a repealer date for a small, discretionary county contribution to a local arts nonprofit, potential points of contention would likely have centered on local spending authority, support for arts funding, or the use of county funds for a private nonprofit. However, the unanimous votes suggest those concerns did not generate visible disagreement in the legislative process.