House Bill 1126 Summary

• Authorizes the issuance of $2,500,000 in state general obligation bonds to fund the Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund, with all bonds to be issued by July 1, 2017.

• Bonds are general obligations of Mississippi with full faith and credit pledge; principal and interest payments shall be made by the State Treasurer, with bonds exempt from state taxation.

• Increases the total allocation for community heritage preservation grants from $25,600,000 to $28,100,000, with funds used to assist county governments, municipalities, school districts, and nonprofits in preserving historic courthouses, school buildings, and other historic properties.

• Designates specific grant allocations including $1,750,000 for county courthouse restoration (maximum $875,000 per courthouse) and individual grants to organizations such as the Amory Regional Museum ($250,000) and Town of Wesson ($1,000,000).

• Requires the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History to review and approve project proposals, matching funds, and all plans and specifications before contracts are awarded; projects must follow Secretary of Interior Standards for historic properties.