HR 169

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Bell (65th), Newman
House Resolution 169
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY BE SOLD AND/OR
LEASED FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREATING VALUE WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE LOCAL
ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AREA, AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE TAX
BASE OF THE CITY OF JACKSON.
���� WHEREAS, the Legislature
hereby finds and determines that Veterans Memorial Stadium has served the State
of Mississippi for decades as a venue for athletic and civic events; that the
city of Jackson needs to expand its property tax base; that the long-term
public interest is best served by requiring Jackson State University to develop
and maintain a stadium owned and operated by the university, supported by
private fundraising and state capital participation subject to appropriation;
and that the University of Mississippi Medical Center has an institutional need
for property suitable for expansion and related public purposes; and
���� WHEREAS, the Department of
Finance and Administration must be authorized and directed to consult with the
Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, and other relevant
agencies and organizations to develop a master plan for the highest and best
use of the land owned by the State of Mississippi and that is bordered by North
State Street, East Woodrow Wilson Avenue, North Mill Street, and Taylor Street,
and it is necessary that a report with specific and actionable recommendations
be presented to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and it is the intent of the
Legislature that the property will be sold and/or leased for the benefit of
creating value while also preserving the local environment, promoting economic
growth in the area, and contributing to the tax base of the City of Jackson;
and
���� WHEREAS, the report authorized
by this resolution must include recommendations for the construction of a multi-purpose
facility on or near the campus of Jackson State University, with a minimum
combined seating capacity of 30,000 for the university to host sporting events,
including football and soccer, and include multi-year financial commitments
from the State of Mississippi and matching private contributions from the
Jackson State University Foundation; and
���� WHEREAS, the site of the
stadium recommended by the report shall be logistically suitable and
economically feasible for the construction of a stadium that serves the best
interest of the university's student population and the residents of the
community within its immediate and adjacent vicinities without causing undue
harm.�
���� WHEREAS, prior to January 1,
2027, Jackson State University must provide proof that funds from private,
local and/or federal sources have been irrevocably dedicated for such purpose
in an amount not less than or equal to Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).�
���� WHEREAS, Jackson State
University may allow a federal, state or local governmental entity, or a
public, private, commercial or charitable entity to use, publish or advertise
the entity's name on stadium property, and furthermore, subject to approval by
the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the university
may lease to any public, private, commercial or charitable entity, for a term
not to exceed twenty (20) years, naming rights for the stadium or property,
including, but not limited to, new construction, improvements, grounds and/or
objects located on property where the stadium is constructed in return for
consideration benefitting the university, and the lessee must pay the cost of
erecting, maintaining and removing signage related to the property; and
���� WHEREAS, Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00), or so much of it as may be necessary, must be
appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the
Capital Expense Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of
State Institutions of Higher Learning to assist in paying the costs associated
with the report and associated activities:
���� NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we
do hereby declare that certain property be sold and/or leased for the benefit
of creating value while also preserving the local environment, promoting
economic growth in the area, and contributing to the tax base of the City of
Jackson.
���� BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That
copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press
Corps.