Miss. Code Ann. § 69-1-48 (2026)

• (1) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein:
  • (a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
  • (b) "Museum" means the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum located at 1150 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216.

• (2) The department may accept, budget, receive and expend funds from any source for improvements to the museum and for marketing and promotion programs for events at the museum for purposes as otherwise appropriated by the Legislature. The expenditure of funds under this section shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

• (3)
  • (a) The department may allow a federal, state or local governmental entity, or a public, private, commercial or charitable entity to use, publish or advertise the entity's name on department property and in its publications. Furthermore, subject to approval by the Department of Finance and Administration, the commissioner may lease to any public, private, commercial or charitable entity for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years naming rights for museum buildings or property, including, but not limited to, new construction, improvements to existing buildings, grounds and/or objects located on museum property in return for consideration benefitting the department. The lessee shall pay the cost of erecting, maintaining and removing signage related to the property.
  • (b) Any funds received from the advertising or lease of naming rights shall be retained by the department and expended for improvements to the museum upon appropriation by the Legislature and for marketing and promotion programs for events at the museum, upon appropriation by the Legislature and for purposes as otherwise appropriated by the Legislature.

• (4)
  • (a) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund for the department for the monies collected under this section.
  • (b) Unexpended monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into the fund. The department shall not expend any monies from the fund without appropriation by the Legislature.

• (5)
  • (a) The department shall make reasonable attempts to notify the donor of any donated property or artifacts determined to be obsolete to allow such donor to retake possession of such item. If efforts to notify the donor prove unsuccessful, then the department may dispose of, auction or sell any property or artifact in the possession of the museum if the department determines that it is obsolete, no longer of value or use to the museum or unclaimed by the donor.
  • (b) All funds received on behalf of the museum, shall be transferred into the enterprise funds related to the museum. The enterprise funds shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulations prescribed by the Department of Finance and Administration. The department shall not expend any funds from the enterprise funds without appropriation by the Legislature.
  • (c) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the department may expend these funds for improvements to the museum and for marketing and promotion programs for the museum in a manner consistent with the museum's historical purpose.

Laws, 2011, ch. 505, § 1, eff. 4/26/2011.

Amended by Laws, 2024, ch. 521, HB 1357,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 364, SB 2359, 1, eff. 3/20/2017.