Committee advances bill to streamline campus demolition review with MDAH oversight

The Public Property committee on Jan. 31 reported Senate Bill 2594, which would amend the Mississippi antiquities law to allow public universities and community college boards (IHL institutions) and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) to coordinate demolition permitting for abandoned, vacant or blighted on-campus buildings that are structurally or economically infeasible to restore.

Senator Williams, who presented the bill, said the intent is to "balance historic preservation with practical and economic realities on public universities and community college campuses" and to "streamline some demolitions" for buildings stakeholders agree are beyond feasible restoration. Williams said the bill would expand protections for properties potentially eligible for Mississippi Landmark status, require architecture and engineering analysis when MDAH imposes permit conditions, and set a 90-day response clock for MDAH to act on determinations.

Committee members sought stronger language and explicit approvals. Senator Bridal said he had "not much confidence" in some institutions historically and worried section 3 could allow universities and community colleges to tear down buildings without adequate oversight. Senator Seymour pressed concerns about redefining terms such as "blighted," and asked whether the bill's language could be tightened to avoid permitting demolition based on vague standards like "morals" or "welfare." Williams said the bill is not intended to be a "loophole" for demolishing historically significant buildings and committed to work on a floor amendment to tighten definitions and explicitly involve the archives and history board where appropriate.

The committee accepted a motion of 'title sufficient, do pass' on the committee substitute and reported the bill out of committee. Sponsors said they will seek floor amendments to clarify approval language and tighten definitions before further action.