Senate Bill 2291 Summary

• Creates Section 29-5-2.2 establishing the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management of the Department of Finance and Administration as the central leasing agent for all state agencies needing office space, effective January 1, 2026.

• Requires state agencies to obtain bureau approval before entering into, renewing, or negotiating any lease, lease-purchase, or building purchase agreements for office space.

• Grants the bureau authority to conduct lease solicitations, negotiate leases on behalf of agencies, approve master leases of private buildings, and adopt uniform standards for office space allocation and use.

• Prioritizes locating state agencies in state-owned buildings when available; if not available, directs the bureau to pursue cost-effective options, preferring properties within the original Capitol Complex Improvement District unless an alternate location is necessary.

• Amends 28 existing sections of Mississippi Code to bring various state agencies and entities into compliance with the new centralized leasing requirements, including water districts, port authorities, and professional licensing boards.