AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF STATE REVENUE BONDS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR VARIOUS MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE 2021 MUNICIPALITIES ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE EMERGENCY ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIR FUND; TO CREATE A SPECIAL BOND SINKING FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE DEBT SERVICE OF BONDS ISSUED UNDER THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPECIAL BOND SINKING FUND SHALL CONSIST OF A PORTION OF THE STATE GASOLINE EXCISE TAX REVENUE AND DIESEL FUEL EXCISE TAX REVENUE AND OTHER AMOUNTS AS MAY BE PAID BY APPROPRIATION OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION OF THE LEGISLATURE; TO CREATE IN THE STATE TREASURY A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "2021 MUNICIPALITIES ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND"; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE FUND SHALL BE UTILIZED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO ASSIST MUNICIPALITIES IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, STREETS AND BRIDGES IN MUNICIPALITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 27-55-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE RATE OF THE GASOLINE EXCISE TAX; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 2031, AND EACH SUCCEEDING JULY 1 THEREAFTER, THE RATE OF THE GASOLINE EXCISE TAX SHALL BE INCREASED OR DECREASED BY A PERCENTAGE AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE LESSER OF ONE PERCENT OR THE UNITED STATES INFLATION RATE FOR THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER 31; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-55-519 AND 27-55-521, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE RATE OF THE SPECIAL FUEL EXCISE TAX ON DIESEL FUEL; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 2031, AND EACH SUCCEEDING JULY 1 THEREAFTER, THE RATE OF THE SUCH EXCISE TAXES SHALL BE INCREASED OR DECREASED BY A PERCENTAGE AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE LESSER OF ONE PERCENT OR THE UNITED STATES INFLATION RATE FOR THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER 31; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TEMPORARY EXCISE TAX INCREASES AUTHORIZED IN THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE LEVIED UNLESS A MAJORITY OF VOTERS VOTING AT A STATEWIDE SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF THE TAX INCREASES VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE TAX INCREASES; TO PROVIDE FOR A STATEWIDE SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE TEMPORARY EXCISE TAX INCREASES AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT SHALL BE LEVIED; TO AMEND SECTION 27-5-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM THE TEMPORARY INCREASES OF THE GASOLINE EXCISE TAX AND SPECIAL FUEL EXCISE TAX ON DIESEL FUEL SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE SPECIAL BOND SINKING FUND CREATED IN THIS ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE DEBT SERVICE OF REVENUE BONDS ISSUED UNDER THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 23-15-833, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THE HOLDING OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 27-55-11, 27-55-519, 27-55-521, 27-5-101, 23-15-833
Committee Substitute: 27-55-11, 27-55-519, 27-55-521, 27-5-101, 23-15-833