MS HB144

Amends law governing Deepwater Horizon settlement funds to require state agencies receiving these funds to report expenditures quarterly to the Department of Finance and Administration for posting on the Mississippi Accountability and Transparency Act website.

Agencies must provide detailed information about expenditures and, for any public contract bid on projects using these funds, describe the project and identify the winning bidder and contract information.

State agencies letting public contracts for Deepwater Horizon settlement fund projects must give preference to contractors, attorneys, engineers, surveyors, and other professional service providers whose businesses are physically located in Gulf Coast counties and have been operating there for at least 13 consecutive years before the contract begins.

Modifies the definition of eligible settlement funds to include payments received pursuant to court orders, negotiated settlements, or other instruments related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and sinking, except funds required to be paid to other public entities.

Takes effect upon passage.