MS HB435

Amends Section 69-2-13 of the Mississippi Code to increase funding from the Emerging Crops Fund to the Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center at Alcorn State University from $300,000 to $1,000,000.

The $1,000,000 shall be drawn from the cash balance of the Emerging Crops Fund and administered by the Mississippi Development Authority.

Funds must be used by the center to make loans to sweet potato producers and cooperatives throughout Mississippi for planting and purchasing sweet potato production and harvesting equipment.

The center is required to furnish an annual report by January 15 to the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman detailing loans made under this provision.

The bill becomes effective July 1, 2016.