31-17-123 - Borrowing authorized to offset temporary cash flow deficiencies; borrowing not to exceed amount which can be repaid in fiscal year of loan.
§ 31-17-123. Borrowing authorized to offset temporary cash flow deficiencies; borrowing not to exceed amount which can be repaid in fiscal year of loan.
(1) The intent of the Legislature is to authorize borrowing funds under the provisions of Sections 31-17-101 through 31-17-123 to offset any temporary cash flow deficiencies and should not be construed to authorize the borrowing of any funds in an amount that cannot be repaid during the fiscal year in which the funds are borrowed.
(2) (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, in the event that the State Fiscal Officer and the State Treasurer make a determination that (i) state-source special funds are not sufficient to cover deficiencies in the General Fund, (ii) the State of Mississippi is unable to repay special fund borrowing within the fiscal year in which it was borrowed, or (iii) state-source funds are insufficient for disaster support and/or assistance purposes due to Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita; and that the State Bond Commission makes a determination that such deficiency, inability to repay, or insufficiency is the result of a state of emergency within the State of Mississippi, the State Bond Commission is authorized to obtain a line of credit, in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00), from a commercial lender, investment banking group or a consortium of either, or both. The length of indebtedness under this subsection shall not extend past five (5) years following the origination of the line of credit. The line of credit shall be authorized and approved by the State Bond Commission and shall have such terms and details as may be provided by resolution of the State Bond Commission. Loan proceeds shall be received and disbursed by the State Treasurer and deposited into the Disaster Recovery Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury, and shall be used to cover deficiencies in the General Fund, to repay special fund borrowing and/or to cover any insufficiency in disaster support and/or assistance. Monies remaining in the Disaster Recovery Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall remain in the Disaster Recovery Fund and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the Disaster Recovery Fund shall remain in the fund.
(b) As security for the repayment of the principal and interest on the line of credit provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the full faith, credit and resources of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged.
(c) Upon approval of the State Fiscal Officer, the Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is authorized to use amounts from the line of credit to match federal funds, and for personnel, call-back wages, base and overtime wages, travel, per diem and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita.
(d) This subsection (2) shall be complete authority for the borrowing authorized hereunder and shall not be subject to the limitations provided in the other provisions of this chapter or otherwise under state law.
(e) The State Treasurer shall notify the Legislative Budget Office and the State Department of Finance and Administration of each transfer into and out of the Disaster Recovery Fund on a quarterly basis.
Sources: Laws, 1966, ch. 557, § 12; Laws, 1979, ch. 466, § 1; Laws, 1984, ch. 488, § 195; Laws, 1985, ch. 525, § 7; Laws, 1986, ch. 480, § 3; Laws, 1988, ch. 518, § 21; Laws, 1992, ch. 484 § 10; Laws, 2005, ch. 440, § 2; Laws, 2005, 5th Ex Sess, ch. 12, § 1; Laws, 2006, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 8, § 17; Laws, 2009, ch. 341, § 1, eff from and after passage (approved Mar. 16, 2009.)