MS HB389

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Punkin Water Association in Lafayette County for eligible drinking water projects under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for fiscal year 2024.

Requires the Punkin Water Association to comply with State Department of Health rules and regulations for the ARPA Rural Water Association Infrastructure Grant Program and to be treated as a rural water association for compliance purposes.

Mandates the association make individualized determinations that expenditures are eligible under federal ARPA guidelines and that funds will not be reimbursed from other sources before spending any appropriated funds.

Requires the association to certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that all expenditures comply with federal Treasury Department guidelines; establishes that the association must repay to the state any funds deemed improperly spent by federal inspectors general.

Takes effect July 1, 2023 and includes requirements that all funds be disbursed in compliance with the Single Audit Act and Uniform Guidance regarding internal controls and audit requirements.