Committee advances bill to speed sale of University of Southern Mississippi land by adjusting DFA role
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Summary
The Public Property committee voted to refer a bill that would let the Department of Finance and Administration step back from parts of the sale process for roughly 600 acres owned by the University of Southern Mississippi while preserving DFA review and a two-appraisal prerequisite.
The Public Property committee voted to refer a bill intended to speed the sale of about 600 acres owned by the University of Southern Mississippi, after a presentation by Senator Dupree and a brief committee exchange.
Senator Dupree, presenting the bill on behalf of the university, said the parcel in north Mississippi "has a parcel about 600 acres of of land," noting the site once included a lake and that a golf course there closed about 25 years ago. He said local governments and the university have produced a master plan that envisions mixed-use development and industries complementary to campus innovation, and that the bill would make the sale process less cumbersome.
The measure would change how the Department of Finance and Administration participates in transfers of state-owned land belonging to institutions of higher learning. Dupree told the committee the bill seeks to allow DFA to "opt out of the process," explaining this would not prevent DFA from reviewing plans; he said the university would still provide two appraisals as a prerequisite to any sale.
The committee chair emphasized that the bill does not remove DFA from the process, saying it ‘‘allows them the ability to ultimately give the green light and step back.’’ Dupree reiterated that DFA would continue due diligence and would still review plans while the bill would reduce procedural obstacles that can delay sales for years.
After discussion, a motion that the bill's title is sufficient and that it "do pass" was made and put to a voice vote; the chair said the measure would be referred out of the committee. Members then moved to rise and report, concluding the committee's session.
The transcript records no roll-call vote or vote tallies, and no amendments were offered on the floor. The bill is double-referred to Public Property and to Universities and Colleges, and committee members noted the approach has precedent in legislation affecting Mississippi State University several years earlier. Further procedure and any additional committee review were not specified in the session record.